01
A proper pitch
Five minutes in front of people who invest real money, not just academics. The scoring rubric is the same one used in the professional Idea Challenge.
For Universities
Bring the awards and the ecosystem to your campus.
Host a YSA campus heat, give your students a route into real capital, and put your entrepreneurship programme on the regional map — at no cost.
What we bring
Running a YSA campus heat takes one evening and costs you nothing. We provide the format, the scoring rubric, a panel member from our investor network, the branding, and the follow-up for winners. You provide the room and the students.
Partner universities also get standing invitations to investor breakfasts and a channel to place graduates directly into cohort companies as founding team members.
- The format and rubric — battle-tested across six Idea Challenges
- A panel judge from our investor or expert network
- Branding and marketing materials for your campus
- A regional stage for your winning team at the MESA gala
- Investor breakfast access for your programme leads
- Graduate placement into cohort companies
What your students get
Beyond the trophy — a real pathway.
02
Mentorship
Winners and strong performers are matched with experts from the panel for ongoing mentoring.
03
Incorporation support
If the idea is viable, we help them set up properly — through EasySetup.ae, at member rates.
04
Network access
A seat in the community alongside working founders, investors and operators. The contacts that matter.
How to partner
- 01
Express interest
Fill in the form and tell us about your programme and campus.
- 02
Scoping call
We agree on format, timing and logistics. Usually takes 20 minutes.
- 03
Campus heat
We run the session together. Your students pitch, our panel scores, winners announced on the night.
- 04
Regional final
Your winners represent the campus at the MESA gala in December.