Applications Now Open for the XTC AI:360 Global Startup Competition 2026
Extreme Tech Challenge – XTC – is excited to announce that applications are now open for the AI:360 Global Startup Competition 2026.
Startups from around the world are invited to apply for the opportunity to showcase their innovations and present live at the AI:360 Summit and Startup Showcase, taking place in California in November 2026.
Advancing Applied AI for Global Impact
The AI:360 Summit is the flagship event of Extreme Tech Challenge, the world’s leading community of startups, corporations, investors, and innovators focused on advancing applied artificial intelligence for global impact aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Summit explores the full spectrum of innovation required to maximize the impact of AI—not only how we use it, but also how we run it and feed it.
Three Areas of Innovation
What we look for are startups with a minimum viable product (MVP) and demonstrated market traction in one of three categories:
Feeding AI
Innovations in sustainable energy generation, power infrastructure that responsibly support the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence.
Running AI
Innovations that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of AI systems, including chips, interconnects, model architectures, data center operations, and technologies that deliver better results with lower energy consumption and fewer errors.
Using AI
Applied AI solutions that create measurable and sustainable value for business, society, and the environment. Areas may include healthcare, robotics, industrial applications, operations, climate, agriculture, education, and other high-impact sectors.
What We Look For
Applicants should demonstrate both:
- The innovation and differentiation of their technology
- The strength and scalability of their business
Submissions will be evaluated equally on innovation and investability, with each representing 50% of the overall score.
Featured Alumni
Past AI:360 participants and featured startups have gone on to attract investment, forge strategic partnerships, and accelerate commercial growth through the XTC ecosystem.
Present at the AI:360 Summit
The top startups selected from this year’s applicants will be invited to present before an invitation-only audience of investors, corporate technology leaders, and innovation executives.
Last year’s attendees included:
Rene Haas
CEO, Arm
Meijung Chen
Managing Director & Partner, BCG
Chuck Alpert
AI Fellow, Cadence
Jerry Hsiao
CPO, Foxconn
Neel Sundaresan
General Manager, Automation and AI, IBM
Tadao Yanase
Senior Executive Vice President and CBDO, NTT
Aaron Fulkerson
CEO, Opaque
Peter Barrett
Co-founder and General Partner, Playground
Sunghyun Park
Co-founder and CEO, Rebellions
Puneet Kumar
Founder & CEO, Rivos
Aart de Geus
Executive Chair & Founder, Synopsys
Francis Ho
Partner, Walden Catalyst
Selected startups will also gain ongoing access to XTC’s global network for visibility, introductions, partnership opportunities, and continued engagement with our innovation community.
How to Apply
Applicants are asked to submit:
- A two-minute video pitch
- A slide presentation outlining their solution and business opportunity
Submissions will be reviewed by XTC’s Evaluation Committee, composed of experienced investors, operators, and industry experts.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 Jul 2026
- AI:360 Summit and Startup Showcase: Thursday, November 19, 2026
- Location: Palo Alto, California
Finalists must attend and present in person at their own expense.
Questions?
Contact us at contact@extremetechchallenge.org
