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An inDrive project

Unicorn starts with U

An international prize for the best tech startups outside big tech hubs and communities
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The open call starts on September 19

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183
days before the open call

78 Underdogs have already signed up

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99
days until the end of open call

99 Underdogs participate

Yay, it's the announcement day! Check out the list of finalists and sign up for the award ceremony
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50
days before the award ceremony

Yay, the award ceremony is today!

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120
Underdogs participating in the competition

What you’ll get

Winners

Boost your startup with the top three winning prizes:
1st Place
$30,000
2nd  Place
$20,000
3rd  Place
$10,000

Finalists

  • Get access to the inDrive mentorship program and guidance from industry top experts.
  • Benefit from PR support to attract new target audience and partners/investors.
  • Join an international network of like-minded entrepreneurs.

Every applicant

  • Reviews by VC fund experts:
  • Enhance your startup's potential with feedback from VC analysts
  • Increase your chances of receiving investments

How it started

We know the struggle — we started out as an Underdog ourselves. It can be tough to keep moving forward towards something you believe in with so many obstacles in your way. Sometimes, to shine you just need a bit of support.
To do our part, we roll out social justice projects that maximize the positive impact of inDrive in global communities.
Our mission is

To challenge injustice in an effort to make the world a fairer place for 1bn+ people by 2030

Rules of the Underdog Tech Award

01

Okay, you are a founder or a C-level executive. First, make sure your startup:

  • Was founded in the last 5 years
  • Already has an MVP
  • Hasn't raised investments larger than seed ($4 million)
  • Has never participated in any international conferences
02

If all is good, complete the application and attach your PDF-presentation before November 28

Download the presentation template here
  • Basic info about your startup
  • Why is your startup an Underdog?
  • What is your product/service about?
  • Market and competitors
  • Product: MVP, plans for the product development, technology
  • Unit economics and business model
  • Scalability
  • Team
  • Impact & mission
  • Why do think you should win the Award?
03

After that analysts from VC funds will review and evaluate all projects based on these criteria:

  • Personal

    • Leadership skills

  • Startup

    • Potential size market
    • Scalability
    • Ability to generate profit
    • Unique competitive advantage
    • Product market fit
    • Go-to-market strategy
    • Team potential
    • Mission driven/social impact
    • Underdog startup (why are you underestimated—challenges/disadvantages overcomed)
04

Finally, our jury will assess the “impact” criteria with a focus on startups that have a mission to create positive change in people's lives by challenging injustice

Full rules

Last year winners

No items found.
Elizabeth Mwangi
2nd place
Elizabeth Mwangi
3rd place

Application review process

September 19, 2023
Open Call
Acceptance of applications
November 28, 2023
Open Сall end
Evaluation of applications based on formal criteria
Scoring by VC analysts
February 1, 2024
Shortlist announcement
Mentorship program for the Shortlist
Voting of the Jury members
April 1, 2024
Ceremony and announcement of the laureates

Finalist

Ainura Sagyn
1st place
Elizabeth Mwangi
1st place
Elizabeth Mwangi
1st place
Elizabeth Mwangi
1st place
Elizabeth Mwangi
1st place
Elizabeth Mwangi
1st place
Elizabeth Mwangi
1st place
Elizabeth Mwangi
1st place
Elizabeth Mwangi
1st place
Elizabeth Mwangi
1st place
Show all finalists

Shortlist

Victor Juarez
Basima Abdulrahman
Elmira Safarova
Omar Ahmed Abdelwahed and Ibrahim Karim Eid
Carlos Andrés García Iguarán
Amos Muthoni Kimani
Mostafa Dawoud
Roikhanatun Nafi'ah
Chandramouli Samatham
Ashraf Bacheet
Royford Mutegi
Sadman Sadek
Akhlad Mohamed Alabhar
Julian Garcia
Biplab Karki
Mohamed Tarek
Felipe Castañeda
Constantine Fedosev
Abdelrahman Rashwan
Saúl Paniagua-Lapenta
Show more

VC Partners

Analysts from these VC funds review applications in the third stage of the competition and provide valuable feedback
WE Ventures
WE Ventures, a Microsoft initiative, supports gender diverse startups by providing strategic capital and technology development.
Learn more ↗
WE Ventures
WE Ventures, a Microsoft initiative, supports gender diverse startups by providing strategic capital and technology development.
Learn more ↗
WE Ventures
WE Ventures, a Microsoft initiative, supports gender diverse startups by providing strategic
Learn more ↗
IdeaSpace Investments
IdeaSpace Investments is the venture capital arm of IdeaSpace Foundation
Learn more ↗

Community Partners

Latam Startups
Non-profit accelerator in Toronto that works exclusively with international startups
Learn more ↗
Latam Startups
Non-profit accelerator in Toronto that works
Learn more ↗
Latam Startups
Non-profit accelerator in Toronto that works exclusively with international startups
Learn more ↗
Latam Startups
Non-profit accelerator in Toronto that works exclusively with international startups
Learn more ↗

Want to become our partner?

Email us at underdog@underdogtechaward.com
More info

Jury

Fatma Nasujo
Global Head of Corporate Operations at Wasoko
Sean Kim
President and Chief Product Officer at Kajabi
Arsen Tomsky
Founder and CEO of inDrive
Charles Eesley
Associate Professor and W.M. Keck Foundation Faculty Scholar in the Department of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University
Daniel Gándara
Vice President MercadoLibre
Damla Buyuktaskin
Senior Regional Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion Officer for Asia Pacific Countries in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
More info

Mentors of 2023

Bruno Paim
Head of Product at Cromai
Dmitri Sedov
CFO at inDrive
Egor Fedorov
Chief of Staff at inDrive
Elena Mazetova
ex-Vice-President of Legal at inDrive
Nikita Yuriev
Investment Director, ultra.vc
Sean Kim
President and Chief Product Officer at Kajabi
Valeriya Verkhovykh
Head of Engagement Products, Oxygen
Yury Palevich
ex-VP of Innovations at inDrive

Participants featured in the media

Card Title

"I would have never thought that my project could attract so much attention. It became possible thanks to the award.
Link ↗

Card Title

"I would have never thought that my project could attract so much attention. It became possible thanks to the award.
Link ↗

Card Title

"I would have never thought that my project could attract so much attention.
Link ↗

Card Title

"I would have never thought that my project could attract so much attention. It became possible thanks to the award.
Link ↗

Underdog Tech Award ceremony 2023

Watch video ↗

Archive

Take a look at the events of the previous years
Underdog Tech Award 2023
2024
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Underdog Tech Award 2023
2024
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