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Global Impact

The world’s largest ecosystem for founders tackling global challenges.

The world’s largest ecosystem for founders tackling global challenges.

The world’s leading platform for startups and investors tackling the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

OUR FOUNDERS

“The Extreme Tech Challenge is really about making sure that corporations and startups are working together to create a highway of innovation.”

Young Sohn

Chairman of Semiconductor Advisory Board, Samsung Electronics | Chairman of HARMAN Board of Directors | Founding Managing Partner, Walden Catalyst Ventures | Co-Founder, Extreme Tech Challenge

“XTC has become the marketplace for Innovation. This is a place where companies, policymakers, venture capitalists, universities can all come see what’s happening from the best of the best.”

Bill Tai

Angel Investor | Partner Emeritus, CRV | Co-Founder, Extreme Tech Challenge

10,000+

Startup Applications across 120+ countries, covering a wide spectrum of tech verticals and funding stages

US $5B

Venture Capital Funding Raised by XTC Startup Finalists (2015-2024)

400+

VCs and CVCs on the XTC Evaluation Committee, Global Partners

36%

Female Founded Finalists

The United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals that serve as the framework.

No Poverty Zero Hunger Good Health and Well-being Quality Education Gender Equality Clean Water and Sanitation Affordable and Clean Energy Decent Work and Economic Growth Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Reduced Inequalities Sustainable Cities and Communities Responsible Consumption and Production Climate Action Life Below Water Life On Land Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Partnerships for the Goals
Enabling Collaboration between Startups and Global Corporations
Latest News

Semiconductors & AI Take Center Stage

XTC Startup Cup Drives Sustainable Innovation at CES 2025   As Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC)Founder Young Sohn put it, “Ten years ago, if you said you had a chip startup, everyone would run away. Now, it’s taking center stage in venture investing.” This seismic shift was on full display at the XTC’s Semiconductors & AI Innovation Startup Cup, sponsored by industry giants Arm and Hon Hai Technology Group (better known as Foxconn). Chips are now an essential part of modern technology—without Arm, there would be no mobile phones; without Intel, no PCs; and without NVIDIA, AI training would be far […]

Extreme Tech Challenge 2024

Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Innovation in Climate Tech Las Vegas, NV, USA At CES® 2024, XTC spotlighted innovation and collaboration at a networking reception which featured a keynote address by Lars Reger, a fireside chat with Dr. Vanessa Chan, and the Deep Tech Climate Innovations Startup Challenge pitch session with a welcome from Nicole Johnson of Cadence Giving Foundation, our sponsoring partner. 🎉 Winner: EarthEn 👏 Startup Finalists: 7Analytics, Barrow Green, BioEsol, Dynamic Air Cooling (DAC), EarthEn, EH Group, SeaO2, and Water Warriors 🎥Watch the Videos: Fireside, Pitches, Interview with the Winner 🔗 Full Event Recap Technology Has No […]

Startup Innovation Awards at the UN FAO World Food Forum 2024 Event Recap

Left to right Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director General Detelina Vassileva, COO Altered Carbon Victoria Slivkoff, XTC Executive Managing Director and Head of Ecosystem for Walden Catalyst Ventures   For the 4th year in a row, XTC was proud to have produced the WFF Startup Innovation Awards competition which attracted hundreds of applicant companies from every continent. We enjoyed a great collaboration with the FAO and with Awards sponsors ADM, Kilburn & Strode, Next Tech Food Factories, Smart Sensors 4 Agri Food, High Five consortium, Qing Engineering and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Innovation Lab. The essential strength of XTC’s ecosystem is the top caliber of […]

Extreme Tech Challenge at the Forefront of Semiconductors and AI with Startup Cup and Innovation Forum

Left, Bill Tai, Angel Investor; Partner Emeritus CRV; Co-Founder, Extreme Tech Challenge and Young Sohn, Chairman of the Samsung Semiconductor Advisory Board, Founding Managing Partner at Walden Catalyst Ventures and Co-Founder of Extreme Tech Challenge Extreme Tech Challenge put itself at the forefront of today’s hottest venture market around the accelerating pace of innovation in Semiconductors and approaches to and uses of AI at XTC’s Semiconductor & AI Innovation Forum which was held on October 28 concurrent with the annual TechCrunch Disrupt Conference.  Thank you to Forum sponsors Foley & Lardner LLP and CBRE who hosted us in CBRE’s 46th […]

  • "We’re currently in the fifth wave of technology evolution – an era driven by data and AI, which are accelerating the number of applications that can disrupt every industry due to the timely availability of actionable data-driven insights."
    Young Sohn
    CO-FOUNDER, EXTREME TECH CHALLENGE
    CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, HARMAN INTERNATIONAL

Global Visibility

Pitch your startup to thousands of tech leaders and investors at regional and global competitions.

Opportunity for Investment

Top finalists will get an opportunity to pitch to a panel of leading global investors.

World-Class Mentorship

Work with industry leaders and experts who can help shape your startup for success.

“The world’s largest startup competition for entrepreneurs addressing the globe’s most serious challenges.”

Forbes

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Luna Yu, Genecis