A new global competition offering $15,000 to women-led AV startups has launched, with submissions open until April 6, 2026. The Women in AV & Tech Startup Prize has been announced by Alex Kemanes, partner at Midwich Ignite and regional managing director for MESEA at Midwich Group, and Dino Drimakis, director of strategic development for MESEA at Midwich Group, both of whom are personally funding the initiative. It is supported by AVIXA’s Women’s Council.
The competition is open to early-stage founders from anywhere in the world working on solutions relevant to the AV ecosystem. Eligibility is not dependent on revenue or a finished product; judges will assess problem relevance, market viability, solution credibility, and execution potential.
Applicants submit a pitch deck of up to 20 slides and a short founder video. A shortlist will be evaluated by an independent jury panel, with the winner announced on 22 April 2026.
Kemanes, who is personally supporting and funding the initiative, said the prize was intended to create practical pathways rather than generate discussion.
She said: “If we want to see more women leading and building in our industry, we have to create practical pathways for them. We are backing founders who can execute – people who understand their market, define real problems, and have a credible path to building sustainable businesses.”
Drimakis added: “We’re looking for clear thinking, real-world problem selection, and credible pathways to market. Fundamentals beat hype.”
The organisers cite industry data suggesting female-only founding teams received around 2.3 percent of the $289bn invested globally in venture capital in 2024.
The jury reserves the right to withhold the award if no submission meets the required standard. Further details and applications are available via the competition’s official platform.
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