Application Timeframe

This is the last date for innovators to submit their entries. A surge in applications is anticipated in the final days. The goal is to receive a minimum of 200 high-quality applications, based on interest from previous editions. Once the portal closes, Mada’s innovation team immediately initiates the internal screening phase.

Mada Center Internal Screening

Mada’s internal reviewers examine all applications to identify and remove those that fall outside the scope, are incomplete, or fail to meet the basic eligibility criteria. This ensures that only relevant and qualified submissions move to the jury stage.

Jury Evaluation Period

Ten expert jury members evaluate the screened submissions using Mada’s scoring system. Jury orientation is conducted in late August to ensure consistent understanding of evaluation criteria.
Jurors review applications through the online portal and assign scores as per the evaluation criteria. All scoring must be finalized and endorsed by October 30. The jury will also approve the final rankings before moving to the finalist selection.

Finalists Announced

Top 20 ranked applications are selected based on the endorsed 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 is introduced to the finalists at this stage.

Mentorship Phase

Over a 75-day period, each finalist team works with Mada-appointed mentors across five core innovation domains.
Teams attend structured sessions, refine their prototypes, conduct testing, and receive feedback to strengthen their applications ahead of the final pitch.

Mentorship Wrap-up

All mentorship activities conclude by the end of January.
Mentors submit a final report on each team's progress and readiness.
Finalists use this input to prepare pitch decks, demo videos, and 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 scores the teams based on final performance, innovation maturity, and readiness for scale.
All scores are finalized and endorsed through the portal.

Winner Announcement

Mada officially announces the Top 5 Winners of the Mada Innovation Award 2025 through a public press release or event.
The winners begin the next stage—funded innovation development—with Mada’s continued support.

Innovation Development Period

Winners enter a 4.5-month development cycle to complete or advance their products.
Grants are disbursed based on pre-defined milestones.
Mada offers light-touch support and oversight, with progress reviews as needed.
The cycle concludes by June 30 with functional solutions ready for deployment or market entry.

Final Submission of Deliverables

Each innovator submits:

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