Convergence Innovation Competition
The Convergence Innovation Competition Asia aims to build entrepreneurial confidence, people-centered mindsets, and encourage innovation
CIC Asia 2025 Winning Team
Congratulations to the CIC winning student team Revive & Survive from Waseda University, International Christian University, and Keio University in Japan!
Convergence Innovation Competition Asia 2026
The Convergence Innovation Competition Asia (CIC Asia) cultivates entrepreneurial confidence, people‑centered innovation skills, and cross‑cultural collaboration among student teams across Asia. Established in 2007, CIC is one of Georgia Tech’s longest-running innovation competitions and is organized by the Institute for People and Technology (IPaT).
CIC Asia invites student teams from partner higher education institutions across Asia — supported by a designated faculty fellow — to propose innovative, viable products or services. In 2026, participating universities are from China, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Projects may emerge from coursework, research, or personal interests, and each team should identify at least one UN Sustainable Development Goals their idea advances. Teams may also align their work with IPaT’s research concentrations.
Finalist teams will receive travel support to attend the Future Tech Forum conference in Vietnam, where they will showcase their projects on January 22, 2027. The winning team receives travel support to engage with innovation events and entrepreneurship programs at Georgia Tech, in Atlanta, USA, along with a US $2,000 award to help launch their idea.
Registration Deadlines
August 19, 2026 (Priority Registration)
Register by this date to participate in the Pitch Development Workshop on August 26, 8-9:30am Atlanta time.
August 31, 2026 (Final Registration)
Last day to register for CIC Asia. Teams registering after August 19 are still eligible to compete but will not have access to the Pitch Development Workshop.
Submission Deadline - September 21, 2026
CIC Asia invites students to submit projects addressing broad social and global concerns within the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Additional references to associated SDG targets and IPaT research concentrations are welcome. Contact your faculty fellow or cic@gatech.edu to receive the submission link.
Round 1: First Round Judging (All Teams) - September 28 - October 15, 2026
The first round of judging will be a preliminary review of submission materials by domain expertise and judges with industry experience. This group of judges will determine the CIC semi-finalists.
Semi Finalist Announcement - October 26, 2026
The CIC planning team will contact selected semi-finalists as well as provide feedback to all teams via email by October 26.
Round 2: Semi-Finalist Virtual Pitches - November 2-11, 2026
Selected semi-finalist teams will conduct a 10-20 minute pitch virtually with a small group of judges. Utilizing the first round feedback from judges is encouraged.
Perfect & Submit Final Round Projects - November - January
Finalist teams will be assigned a team of mentors who will work with the team and the faculty fellow to continue developing the project for the final round.
Gala (January 22, 2027 in Vietnam)
CIC finalists conduct their final round pitch and answer questions from a panel of judges with expertise in entrepreneurship and innovation during an in-person gala event. Winners will be announced at the end of the event.
United Nations Sustainability Goals
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership.
About the CIC
The Convergence Innovation Competition (CIC) recognizes student innovation and entrepreneurship where teams respond to global challenges and opportunities. Winning entries will include innovative and viable product and service ideas. CIC entries can be based on class projects, student research projects, as well as personal hobbies and interests.
As part of the competition, one team is awarded a Golden Ticket to participate in the Create-X Startup Launch program during the summer! Winning team members and runner up team members receive a monetary prize for participating. The winning CIC teams go on to launch, commercialization, other competitions, as well as internship and job opportunities strengthened by their competition experience. CIC runs annually and is organized by the Institute for People and Technology (IPaT).