DAAS-AI: Digital Agenda Alpha Stage AI start-up competition

The Digital Agenda introduces the Alpha Stage Start-ups Innovation Platform, where startups and innovation teams have the opportunity to participate in the Digital Agenda Alpha Stage Artificial Intelligence Competition, known as DAAS-AI, which will occur on October 17th within the context of the Digital Agenda Summit (link). The primary goal of DAAS-AI is to promote and support teams from Cyprus and the region in showcasing their innovative research work with a focus on commercialization. This competition encourages startups to advance their technology readiness level (TRL) between stages 3 to 5, as they embark on their entrepreneurial journey.

DAAS-AI specifically targets startups and research teams involved in the AI domain, focusing on industry solutions and services in an innovative and creative manner with emphasis on Tourism, Media, or Learning/Education sectors. The competition aims to encourage and support the participants in transitioning their work from the laboratory to the marketplace, reaching a readiness stage where they can attract funding from private investors and venture capitalists to facilitate their commercialization journey. Eligibility is limited to teams rather than individuals, requiring a minimum composition of a Lead Project Investigator and two team members from either the research/academia or private sector. As the program aims to promote the use of generative AI in practical applications, the applicants need to demonstrate/embed AI technology in their use cases. The winning Team will be awarded 10,000 Euro from SPP Media as well as potential funding from interested investors.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be selected on the basis of the following evaluation criteria:

• Proposed technology and technical readiness (the project should be in the range TRL 3 – 5).
• Originality and societal/economic impact of the proposed solution.
• The use or intention to imbed AI technology in an innovative and responsible manner will be considered as an advantage
• Market need, fit, scientific merit and commercialization Strategy
• Project team (clear roles, responsibilities, skills complementarity, previous business and/or start-up experience).
• Clear IP strategy and IP protection status.

Applicant’s considerations:

Applications must represent the original work of the team and should not infringe upon any contracts or third-party rights, including patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks, publicity, or privacy rights. Teams are prohibited from disclosing any proprietary or confidential information belonging to others.

The submission of applications to DAAS will be treated with utmost confidentiality by the Evaluators. To ensure this, all evaluators will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Eligible applications will undergo a thorough review process by distinguished evaluators from the local and international community.

Up to four shortlisted teams will advance to the final stage of the evaluation process, which will entail a 15-minute onstage pitch to the DAAS evaluation committee on October 17th, 2023. This committee consists of international experts and will include a live audience. Prior to the presentation date, the shortlisted applicants will be asked to submit a pitch deck, and a recommended template will be provided for their convenience.

The results will be announced live during the digital agenda event on the same day.

The chairman of the organizing committee is Kyriakos Kokkinos, ex-deputy Minister of Innovation.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.digitalagendacy.com