Startups will be judged on each of the following criteria which will be scored from 1 (low) to 10 (high):

AI INNOVATION: The degree of technical innovation—across energy, infrastructure, or applications—in helping AI effectively solve meaningful, real-world challenges.

BUSINESS/INVESTABILITY: The strength and scalability of the business model, including market opportunity, revenue potential, and path to profitability, as well as the team’s ability to execute, attract capital, and deliver sustainable returns.

TEAM: Team’s credential and experience

    • Is the team uniquely qualified to build this startup?
    • Do they strongly understand their customers and their industry?
    • Do they have the determination and endurance to carry this through to completion? 

PRODUCT/SERVICE INNOVATION: The level of innovation of the product or service

    • Is this a disruptive innovation that creates a new market and/or a new value-ecosystem that displaces or radically modernizes an existing industry?
    • Is it differentiated from competitive or substitute offerings? 

PRODUCT MARKET FIT: Proof of commercial scalability and market size to support growth and profitability

    • Are targeted customers using/buying its product/service?
    • Can the startup show their product/service will scale enough in the addressable market for sufficient growth/profit to be an attractive investment?