Competition format & key facts
Organized detailsOverview
Global startups can apply to Supernova 0X, the stage-based pitch competition at Expand North Star 2026, for a published US$200,000 equity-free cash prize pool and growth support.
Complete competition details
Applications opened 1 May and close 2 November 2026. Semi-finalists are announced 1 December; semi-finals run 8–9 December and the awards ceremony is 10 December. Separate Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A categories are judged independently. The official page lists mentorship and business setup support, cloud/software and business services, buyer introductions, UAE market-access meetings, sponsored GITEX startup pods and marketing support among category benefits.
Eligibility requirements
Eligible startups must match a stated funding stage and provide supporting documentation: Pre-Seed has an MVP or prototype and less than US$250,000 raised; Seed has a product in market and US$250,000–US$3 million raised; Series A has US$3–15 million raised with proven traction.
Tips for this competition
Practical Job and Scholarship guidance. These tips do not replace official rules or create new eligibility requirements.
- Study the scoring criteria and previous winners before deciding what evidence, prototype, essay, research or portfolio will best support the entry.
- Confirm country, age, team, education and organization restrictions and whether one person may enter multiple submissions.
- Follow the required file format, word/time limits and naming rules exactly; technical non-compliance can disqualify a strong entry.
- Keep proof of submission and submit before the deadline rather than relying on the final hour.
Verification notes
Official Expand North Star page verified 7 September 2026. The page states the 1 May opening date, 2 November final deadline, stage criteria, selection factors, 8–10 December competition schedule and US$200,000 equity-free prize pool. No per-winner cash amount is inferred.
Job and Scholarship is the discovery and verification layer. Confirm eligibility, dates, salary/funding and application instructions on the original source before submitting anything.
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