Women in AV & Tech

Startup Prize

Backing Women Who Build the Future of AV & Tech

The Women’s Entrepreneurship Prize is a global competition supporting early-stage women founders with bold ideas and serious execution potential.

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This is not a pitch-polish contest. Substance beats storytelling

This initiative aims to back builders, not just ideas, and to create real opportunities for women founders in the AV ecosystem. We’re looking for founders who know their market, can think rigorously about execution, and are committed to building a real business. We’re excited by fresh perspectives on real problems and by strong ideas that move the industry forward, whether they’re new approaches or smart evolutions of what already exists. We care more about substance than polish, and more about progress than promises.

The goal is simple: surface serious founders, reward strong thinking and execution potential, and provide early support to projects that can become real companies in the industry.

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The winner will receive a $15,000 cash prize

The winner may also receive visibility and optional follow-up conversations with the jury or sponsor (not a promise of investment).

The competition is open globally to

  1. Woman-led or woman-founded projects
  2. Teams or solo founders
  3. Companies or projects in AV or closely related fields (media tech, collaboration, live events, workplace tech, immersive, etc.)
  4. Idea stage, pre seed, or very early stage ventures. Companies must be no more than 2 years old.

You do not need revenue or a finished product. You do need a real problem, a credible solution, and a serious intent to build a business.

The Vision Behind
Women in Tech Startup Prize

We believe in backing entrepreneurs.
After years of working across the global AV and technology ecosystem, we have seen how access, visibility, and early support can fundamentally change the trajectory of a company. The Women in Tech Startup Prize is our way of expanding that access and creating more tangible opportunities for women founders who are serious about building real businesses, not just presenting ideas.

This prize is personally funded and intentionally structured to reward execution, clarity, and commercial thinking. We believe the industry grows stronger when more women are supported at the earliest stages of building.

This initiative is about giving back, increasing representation, and strengthening the ecosystem for the long term —
Alex Kemanes & Dino Drimakis

Alex Kemanes

Partner, Midwich Ignite
Regional Managing Director, MESEA at Midwich Group.

Dino Drimakis

Director, Strategic Development, MESEA at Midwich Group

Organizers & Jury

The prize is organized by Alex Kemanes and Dino Drimakis, bringing together a jury of seasoned professionals from the tech and AV space. The panel combines deep industry experience with a sharp eye for innovation, ensuring a thoughtful and credible evaluation of every submission

The jury will include

John Doe 1

John Doe 2

John Doe 3

John Doe 4

John Doe 5

Competition Overview & Framework

Understanding the Competitive Landscape and Strategic Structure

Applicants must submit the following:

  • A short pitch deck (20 slides max),
  • A short video of the founders talking about their relevant experience and why they can take this product to market.

The submission must clearly cover:

  • The problem you are solving and for whom
  • Your solution and why it’s different or better
  • The target market and customer
  • Why you or your team are well positioned to build this
  • The business model (how this can make money)
  • Current status (idea, prototype, users, revenue, pilots, etc.)

Clarity matters more than design. Overproduced slides will not score higher than clear thinking.

 

  1. An initial screening will ensure eligibility and basic quality.
  2. A shortlist of about 5 finalists will be selected.
  3. Finalists will be reviewed by the jury and may be invited to present or pitch.
  4. One winner will be selected and announced at the event.

Submissions will be evaluated on:

  • Relevance and importance of the problem
  • Credibility and clarity of the solution
  • Understanding of the market and customer
  • Strength of the founder’s insight and positioning
  • Business logic and execution potential

Polish, buzzwords, and hype will not outweigh weak fundamentals.

To protect the credibility of the program and the participants:

The jury reserves the right not to award the prize if no submission meets the minimum quality standard.

If this happens, the organizers may choose to:

  • Provide feedback instead of awarding the prize, or
  • Carry the prize forward to a future edition.
  • Call for submissions opens: 8th March 2026
  • Submission deadline: 6th April 2026
  • Winner announcement: 22nd April 2026

The prize is organized by Alex Kemanes and Dino Drimakis, bringing together a jury of seasoned professionals from the tech and AV space. The panel combines deep industry experience with a sharp eye for innovation, ensuring a thoughtful and credible evaluation of every submission

The competition is open to projects at idea stage, prototype stage, or early company stage.

Eligible ventures must:

  • Be woman led or woman founded
  • Operate in AV or closely related sectors such as media technology, collaboration solutions, live events, immersive technologies, workplace innovation, or adjacent tech fields
  • Be no more than 2 years old at the time of application
  • Be at idea, prototype, pilot, or early revenue stage
    A registered company is not required at the time of application. Solo founders and early teams are welcome.

Women in Tech Startup Prize

Founded by Alex Kemanes and Dino Drimakis. Supported by Avixa Women’s Council.

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Thank you for your interest in the Women in AV & Tech Startup Prize.

Please complete the form below and upload your submission materials. All information will be treated confidentially and reviewed by the jury panel.

Founder's Information
Startup / Company Information
Submission Materials

Alex Kemanes
Partner, Midwich Ignite 
Regional Managing Director, MESEA at Midwich Group.

Alex is the Managing Director of Midwich Ignite, Midwich Group’s corporate investment arm investing in high-growth startups and breakthrough technologies shaping the future of the AV industry. 

He also serves as the Regional Managing Director for the Middle East and Southeast Asia, leading Midwich’s expansion and strategic direction across one of the industry’s fastest-growing markets. 

Prior to that, Alex was a partner at NMK in Dubai, which was acquired by Midwich in 2021. An entrepreneur and investor with multiple successful exits, he’s spent his career building and backing ventures that push technology forward.

Dino Drimakis
Director, Strategic Development, MESEA at Midwich Group

Dino Drimakis leads Strategic Development for MESEA (Middle East and Southeast Asia) at NMK Electronics, where he is responsible for shaping long-term growth initiatives, driving market expansion, and identifying opportunities that strengthen NMK’s position across the professional AV and technology landscape.

Dino has been closely involved in developing and strengthening multiple markets for NMK, working at the intersection of strategy, partnerships, and execution. He collaborates closely with manufacturers, system integrators, and internal teams to translate market insight into scalable growth, helping NMK expand its footprint while remaining aligned with evolving client and industry needs.