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The competition is focused on responsible AI innovations. Below are some suggested focus areas:

1. Fairness and Bias Mitigation

Solutions that detect, reduce, or eliminate bias in AI models.
Tools for auditing datasets and algorithms for fairness across demographics.

2. Transparency and Explainability

AI systems that provide interpretable outputs for end-users.
Innovations in model explainability for complex architectures like deep learning.

3. Privacy-Preserving AI

Techniques such as federated learning, differential privacy, and secure multi-party computation.
Applications that enable data sharing without compromising user privacy.

4. AI for Sustainability

AI solutions that reduce energy consumption in training and inference.
Applications that support climate action, resource optimisation, or circular economy.

5. AI for Social Good

Applications addressing societal challenges like education, healthcare, and disaster response.
Solutions that bridge digital divides and promote equitable access to AI benefits.

6. AI for Healthcare and Life Sciences

AI solutions that improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring or patient care.
Responsible applications that support clinicians, researchers or health systems while addressing safety, privacy, bias and explainability.

7. Robustness and Safety

Methods to make AI systems resilient to adversarial attacks.
Fail-safe mechanisms for critical AI applications (e.g., healthcare, autonomous vehicles).

8. Human-Centered AI

AI that augments human decision-making rather than replacing it.
Interfaces and designs that prioritize accessibility and inclusivity.

9. AI Governance, Trust and Accountability

Tools for monitoring compliance with AI regulations, ethical guidelines and sector standards.
Frameworks for risk assessment, auditability, accountability, data provenance and responsible deployment.

10. Responsible Generative AI

Techniques to prevent harmful outputs in text, image, and video generation.
Systems for watermarking and content authenticity verification.

1) Problem & Opportunity
How well does the team understand the problem and its significance?

Clarity and precision of the problem being solved.
Evidence that the problem is real, urgent, and meaningful.
Relevance to responsible AI themes (e.g. bias, privacy, safety, sustainability, health, governance, social good).
Depth of insight into who is affected and why existing solutions are insufficient.

2) Solution & Value Proposition
How strong, innovative, and responsible is the proposed solution?

How well the solution addresses the identified problem.
Strength and differentiation of the value proposition.
Technical credibility and responsible AI design (e.g. fairness, explainability, privacy, robustness).
Evidence of feasibility (prototype, architecture, validation, or early results).

3) Market & Customer Understanding
How well does the team understand their market and users?

Clear definition of target customers and users.
Market size, segmentation, and prioritisation.
Evidence of customer discovery (interviews, pilots, case studies, traction).
Understanding of competitors and alternatives.

4) Business Model & Financial Viability
Is the startup commercially viable and scalable?

Business model clarity (who pays, how, and why).
Revenue streams and pricing logic.
Cost structure and scalability.
High-level financial projections and assumptions.
Go-to-market strategy and growth potential.

5) Other (Team, Execution & Pitch Quality)
Can this team credibly deliver the idea?
Judges should assess:

Team credibility, skills, and domain expertise.
Balance of technical, commercial, and ethical expertise.
Quality, clarity, and persuasiveness of the pitch.
Execution readiness (roadmap, milestones, risk awareness).
Overall professionalism and storytelling.

The Coller Foundation will provide the winner with £100,000 of investment through an Advanced Subscription Agreement (ASA). Under the ASA, the funds are advanced now and will convert into equity at a future qualifying funding round. This gives the company fast access to capital on agreed terms, without needing to complete a full priced equity round immediately. If the company has not yet been incorporated, the investment will be held in escrow until incorporation is complete.