2025

Application Timeframe

This is the final date for innovators to submit their entries. A surge in applications is expected in the final days. Mada’s innovation team immediately starts the internal screening phase.

Jury Evaluation Period

Ten expert jury members evaluate the screened submissions using Mada’s scoring system. Jury orientation will take place in late August to ensure a consistent understanding of evaluation criteria.
Jurors will review applications through the portal and assign scores according to the evaluation criteria. All scores must be finalized and endorsed. The jury will also approve the final rankings before moving to the finalist selection stage.

Finalists Announced

The top 20 ranked applications are selected based on the jury scores.
Notifications are sent to all participants (selected and not selected), and finalists are publicly congratulated on Mada’s website and platforms.
The mentorship phase will be introduced to finalists at this stage.

Mentorship Phase

Each finalist team will work with Mada-appointed mentors across five core innovation domains.
Teams will attend structured sessions, refine their prototypes, conduct testing, and receive feedback to strengthen their submissions in preparation for the final pitch.

Mentorship Wrap-up

All mentorship activities conclude by the end of the designated period.
Mentors submit a final report on each team’s progress and readiness.
Finalists will use this input to prepare their pitch decks, demo videos, and final presentations for the final judging round.

Final Evaluation & Pitch Day

An online Pitch Day is organized where each of the 20 teams presents their solution in front of the jury. Each team is given 3 minutes for pitching and 2 minutes for jury Q&A.
The jury will evaluate teams based on final performance, innovation maturity, and readiness for scale. All scores will be finalized and endorsed through the portal.

Winner Announcement

Mada will officially announce the top 5 winners of the Mada Innovation Award 2025.
The winners will begin the next stage—funded innovation development—with Mada’s continued support.

Innovation Development Period

The winners enter a 4.5-month development cycle to complete or advance their products. Grants will be disbursed based on predefined milestones.
Mada will provide light-touch support and oversight, with progress reviews as needed. The cycle concludes in June with solutions ready for deployment or market entry.

Final Submission of Deliverables

Each innovator must submit:

• Final project report
• Evidence of three completed product deliverables (hardware or software)
• Documentation of testing or pilot phase (if applicable)