Venture-Z is a startup competition designed for “Generation Z” entrepreneurs — individuals or small teams (up to 5 members) with bold ideas or early-stage ventures. The competition is organized under ICSDI 2026 (the 3rd International Conference on Sustainability: Developments and Innovations). The goal: help young innovators turn ideas into scalable startups, especially those focussed on sustainability, technology and social impact.
What the Competition Offers
Tracks & Focus Areas
Participants can propose ventures under sectors such as:
Urban Innovation & Community Well-being (smart cities, urban mobility, health, governance, social impact)
Rewards & Recognition
Cash prizes: 1st place (≈ 30,000 SAR), 2nd place (≈ 20,000 SAR), 3rd place (≈ 10,000 SAR) for top startups.
Mentorship, exposure to industry experts, and networking opportunities with investors and global stakeholders.
International participation accepted — startups, teams or individuals from across the world can apply.
Who Should Apply (Eligibility)
Individuals 18 years or older — young entrepreneurs and students alike.
Solo founders or teams (up to 5 members) working on an innovative or early-stage startup / business idea.
Ventures or ideas across any industry — as long as they fit one of the competition’s focus tracks (infrastructure, environment, urban/social impact, sustainability).
International participation is allowed — you don’t need to be based in a specific country to apply.
Key Dates & Application Process
Deadline: 1 December 2025 (last known public call)
How to Apply: Visit the ICSDI website’s “Students Competitions” section — fill out the registration form with your startup idea, team info, and project details.
What You Must Prepare: Brief description of your idea or startup; explanation of how it aligns with one of the competition tracks; team composition (if applicable); and any preliminary plans or prototypes if you have them.
