Stages
Online idea submission
The process begins with student teams submitting a synopsis of their innovative ideas that address pressing social challenges. Each idea is reviewed and endorsed by FICS Management following the approval of the respective faculty supervisor. Approved ideas are shortlisted for the next phase based on their originality, relevance, and potential impact.
Pitching Session
Shortlisted teams are then invited to present their ideas in structured pitching sessions held at both local and international levels. These sessions are organized in collaboration with partner universities, providing student teams the opportunity to showcase their projects to a wider audience. Using PowerPoint presentations, teams highlight the social impact, innovation, and feasibility of their proposed solutions. A panel of judges comprising industry experts evaluates the ideas based on their practicality, scalability, and potential for commercialization. These pitching evaluations not only foster healthy competition but also help integrate the local student community into the global innovation ecosystem.
Grand Finale
In the final phase, selected teams develop working prototypes of their ideas under the mentorship of professionals from both academia and industry. These prototypes are showcased before a distinguished panel of judges, who assess each project’s technical soundness, market readiness, and potential to create real-world impact. The Grand Finale takes place at NUST Campus in Islamabad, Pakistan, where the winning teams are awarded cash prizes along with 6-months mentoring & incubation support.
Stages
Online Idea Submission
Student teams submit a detailed synopsis of their innovative idea aligned with social impact. All ideas must be endorsed by the respective faculty supervisor before being reviewed by FICS Management.
Synopsis Deadline:
- National Teams: January 2025
- International Teams: June-July 2025
Evaluation Criteria: Originality, social relevance, clarity of problem statement, and alignment with FICS themes.
Rubric for Stage 1Pitching Session
Shortlisted teams advance to the pitching phase where they formally present their ideas in front of a panel of industry experts and academic mentors. These sessions are conducted both locally and internationally in collaboration with partner universities, creating inclusive platforms for idea evaluation and community engagement. Presentations are assessed based on the innovation, impact, practicality, and potential for commercialization.
Event Timeline:
- National Pitching Sessions: April-May 2025
- International Pitching Sessions: May-July 2025
Evaluation Criteria: Presentation clarity, innovation, scalability, technical feasibility, and social impact.
Rubric for Stage 2Grand Finale
Finalist teams develop working prototypes of their proposed solutions under the guidance of assigned academic and industry mentors. These prototypes are showcased at the Grand Finale event, where a distinguished panel of judges evaluates their functionality, effectiveness, and readiness for deployment or commercialization.
Event timeline:
- Grand Finale - August 2025
Evaluation Criteria: Prototype functionality, user-friendliness, real-world applicability, and potential for market deployment.
Rubric for Stage 3Awards
Cash prizes and recognition will be given to the top-performing teams in the following categories at the Grand Finale of FICS 2025:
- National Winner – FICS 2025
- Global Champion – FICS 2025
- Social Impact Award
- First Runner-Up
- Second Runner-Up
This stage attracts significant interest from industry partners, offering participants valuable opportunities for mentorship, sponsorship, and industry exposure. The Winners will also be offered free incubation space at NUST’s TechOne Incubation Centre, supporting the transformation of their idea into a viable startup.