Create your context-aware system by combining sensing, processing, connectivity, and Edge AI solutions.

The ST Innovation Challenge is STMicroelectronics’ flagship program designed to connect with and foster innovative startups and SMEs from around the world.

In today’s fast-evolving technology landscape, context awareness is becoming a key differentiator for advanced industrial and consumer applications. By combining MEMS sensors, embedded processing, connectivity, and Edge AI, innovators can create intelligent systems that react in real time, improve operational efficiency, enhance safety, and deliver superior user experiences.

This challenge is specifically looking for startups and SMEs developing innovative electronic solutions, with a strong focus on hardware, embedded systems, and electronic design — not only software-based approaches. We welcome proposals that integrate smart sensing, edge intelligence, and connectivity into complete system architectures, including custom boards, sensor modules, embedded electronics, and application-specific hardware.

We are particularly interested in solutions for high-end applications such as, but not limited to:

• Robotics: advanced sensing and embedded intelligence for perception, navigation, motion control, and human-machine interaction.
• Industrial equipment maintenance: intelligent monitoring systems that detect anomalies, anticipate failures, and optimize the lifecycle of machines and industrial assets.
• Contextual sensing: systems that interpret environmental, machine, or user data to dynamically adapt behavior and performance in real time.

Participants are encouraged to focus on:

• Sensor integration: use MEMS sensors and other devices to capture real-time data from the environment or system, such as motion, vibration, pressure, acoustic, inertial, and biosignals.
• Edge AI processing: implement AI algorithms directly on embedded devices, sensors, or microcontrollers to analyze data locally, reduce latency, improve responsiveness, and preserve data privacy.
• Connectivity solutions: enable seamless communication between devices and systems using technologies such as NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and LPWAN options such as LoRaWAN, and NB-IoT.
• Context awareness: develop mechanisms to interpret sensor data and generate actionable insights at the edge, allowing the system to adapt its behavior according to the surrounding environment or user activity.
• Electronic innovation: design complete embedded hardware solutions, including sensor fusion, custom electronics, low-power architectures, and system-level integration.

Applications may span industrial automation, robotics, predictive maintenance, smart infrastructure, wearable technology, home and building automation, and other high-value use cases where advanced sensing and intelligent electronic design create a real competitive advantage.

You can leverage the ST ecosystem with kits such as as SensorTile.box PRO, STEVAL-NBIOTV1 and STWIN.box as well as the software within the ST Edge AI Suite and ST AIoT Craft tools for a comprehensive end-to-end solution to the cloud.

• Join the ST Innovation Challenge, apply for a free development kit, and boost your success through:
• Collaboration with ST’s team including field application experts with experience supporting start-ups.
• Advice from international tech leaders on business development
• Free development kits
• Speaking slots in the Innovation World Cup® finals at Hannover Messe 2027, WT | Wearable Technologies Conferences, MEDICA, BIM World MUNICH, and further prominent tech events
• Free marketing packages and extensive media coverage at a global level
• Promotion in the Hall of Fame of the Innovation World Cup® Series

All submissions to the ST Innovation Challenge will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Level of innovation
• Technological feasibility
• Commercial potential
• Marketing & go-to-market approach
• Time to market
• Sustainability

Seize the opportunity to compete and showcase your potential on the global stage.

Participation is free of charge.