IoT & Robotics Rwanda: Innovation & Prototype Competition

The Innovation & Prototype Competition is open to individuals and teams developing technology-based solutions in IoT, robotics, embedded systems, electronics, automation, and related emerging technologies. Applicants should: Applicants should: 1. Be a student, developer, engineer, maker, researcher, startup founder, or technology innovator. 2. Apply individually or as part of a team. 3. Have an existing project or prototype that can be presented or demonstrated during the event. 4. Be able to clearly explain the problem being addressed, the proposed solution, its potential impact, and the technology used. Be available to present the project during Emerging Technology Day 2026 if selected. Be willing to receive technical and business feedback from the evaluation panel. Be interested in further developing the project through potential mentorship, technical support, partnership, funding, or investment opportunities. Projects do not need to be fully completed or commercially launched. Early-stage prototypes and solutions under active development are welcome, provided there is sufficient progress to demonstrate the concept.

1. Original Work Submitted projects must be the original work of the applicant or team. Participants must clearly disclose any third-party technologies, platforms, datasets, hardware, software, or open-source components used. 2. Project Stage Projects may be at prototype, proof-of-concept, MVP, or other active development stages. A fully commercialized product is not required. 3. Relevant Technologies Projects should involve IoT, robotics, embedded systems, electronics, automation, or other relevant emerging technologies. 4. One Application per Project Each project should be submitted only once. Team projects must identify the team members and a primary representative. 5. Application Information Applicants must provide accurate and complete information about their project. Misrepresentation may result in disqualification. 6. Selection for Pitching Submitting an application does not automatically guarantee a presentation slot. Applications will be reviewed, and selected projects will be invited to pitch during Emerging Technology Day 2026. 7. Pitch and Demonstration Selected participants must be prepared to clearly explain their problem, solution, technology, progress, impact, and future plans. Where possible, participants are encouraged to demonstrate their prototype. 8. Time Limit Each selected project will receive approximately 3 minutes for the pitch and 2 minutes for questions and answers. Participants must respect the allocated time. 9. Evaluation Projects may be evaluated based on innovation, problem relevance, technical feasibility, implementation progress, potential impact, scalability, and the team's ability to continue developing the solution. 10. Judging Decision Decisions made by the evaluation panel will be considered final for the competition. 11. Intellectual Property Participants retain ownership of their projects and intellectual property. Participation does not transfer ownership of a project to IoT & Robotics Rwanda (IRR), TAJYIRE Group, or other event partners. 12. Funding and Investment Participation or selection does not automatically guarantee funding or investment. Any potential funding, investment, mentorship, technical support, partnership, or other opportunity may be subject to further discussions and assessment. 13. Professional Conduct Participants must maintain respectful and professional conduct toward organizers, judges, partners, other participants, and attendees. 14. Organizer's Right IoT & Robotics Rwanda (IRR) and TAJYIRE Group reserve the right to review applications, shortlist projects, adjust presentation arrangements where necessary, and disqualify submissions that violate the competition rules.