Venture Craft FAQ | Venture Craft

Has the competition been delayed, and what is the new date?

The competition is officially back! We will be announcing the revised timeline and phase dates soon. Please refer to the Timeline section on our homepage and stay tuned to our official channels for updates.

When is the application deadline?

Registration and submission deadlines will be announced soon. Please stay tuned for official updates regarding upcoming registration and submission dates.

Can I edit my application after submission?

Details and key dates for application editing will be announced soon.

You will be able to log in, refine your startup details, upload any updated pitch or video materials, and complete any required sections once editing opens.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to startups where the team leader and/or main co-founders are current Bachelor’s, STEM Diploma, Master’s, and PhD students, as well as post-doctoral researchers and recent graduates (up to 5 years post-graduation).

Note: For other team members, these qualifications are highly recommended. See Eligibility & Criteria for details.

Can I apply for the ambassador program and participate in the competition?

Yes, you are welcome to apply for the ambassador program even if you are participating in the competition.

However, please note that ambassadors do not receive any advantages or preferential treatment in the competition judging process.

What is the minimum age?

All team members must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.

What is the maximum team size?

There is no minimum or maximum number of members per team. You can participate as a solo founder or with a large team. All team members are welcome to travel and physically participate in the final stages.

However, please note that Venture Craft will sponsor travel (flights, visa coordination, and accommodation) for a maximum of 2 members per team, and any additional members must be self-funded.

Do I have to be a part of a team?

No, you do not have to be part of a team. You can apply as an individual (solo founder).

However, we encourage forming teams to bring diverse skills and perspectives to your startup, but it is not a requirement.

Do all team members need to meet the eligibility requirements?

Only the team leader and main co-founders are required to meet the specific eligibility criteria (such as education level).

Other team members, including professors, mentors, or industry experts, are welcome to join and support the startup without needing to meet these requirements.

Note: All team members, regardless of their role, must be at least 18 years old.

Is it mandatory for teams to travel to Saudi Arabia?

Yes. All team members are welcome to travel to Saudi Arabia to attend the in-person bootcamp as well as the final competition.

However, please note that Venture Craft will sponsor travel (flights, visa coordination, and accommodation) for a maximum of 2 members per team, and any additional members must be self-funded.

Will travel and accommodation be sponsored for all team members?

Venture Craft will sponsor travel (flights, visa coordination, and accommodation) for a maximum of 2 attendees per team. All team members are welcome to travel and participate in the bootcamp and final competition.

Note: Any additional members beyond the 2 sponsored ones must be self-funded.

What is the 2026 theme?

The 2026 theme is Sustainable Energy, focusing on four core pillars:

Decarbonization Technologies
Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency
Energy Efficiency
Process Optimization & Advanced Engineering

Learn more about our mission and focus here.

What do we need to submit?

A complete application requires a pitch deck (max 15 slides), an executive summary (1–2 pages), and a 3–5 minute video pitch.

Note: You may also include optional supporting data (up to 5 pages). Please review the Application Materials for detailed requirements.

What formats are accepted for uploads?

Pitch deck: PDF or PowerPoint.

Executive summary & supporting data: PDF or Microsoft Word.

Video pitch: Unlisted YouTube link.

See the full specifications for more info.

Are submissions confidential?

No. Submissions are not considered confidential unless a specific written agreement is made in advance.

We advise against submitting proprietary trade secrets unless they are already protected.

Who owns the intellectual property?

Teams retain full ownership of their intellectual property.

By submitting, you grant Venture Craft a non-exclusive license to use the materials solely for the purposes of administering, judging, and promoting the competition.

How are teams evaluated?

Submissions are evaluated by a panel of experts using a weighted scoring rubric. Each criterion is scored on a scale of 1–5.

You can view the Judging Rubrics for a complete breakdown.

Are judging decisions final?

Yes. All decisions made by the judging panel and the organizers are final and binding.

How will we receive updates?

All official communication and competition updates will be sent via email to the designated team leader.