NEC X Venture Studio Program "Elev X! Ignite Batch 15"

Calling for all early-stage founders in the problem discovery and validation stage!

Deadline Extended to Jan 11, 2026 11:59 pm (Pacific Time)

Apply Now

⚠️ Before You Apply (Required)

To apply successfully, we strongly recommend reviewing our program overview webinar if you haven’t attended one. This will help you understand the program scope, collaboration model, and application expectations.

🎥 Webinar Recording Watch the full webinar to learn about Elev X! Ignite and NEC’s collaboration approach with early-stage founders.
📑 Webinar Slides Overview of the Elev X! Ignite program, application details, and collaboration model.

About Elev X! Ignite

Elev X! Ignite is not just an incubation program — it's your launchpad for turning bold ideas into real-world impact. We partner with early-stage founders to help shape, validate, and prototype breakthrough concepts. With access to NEC’s frontier technologies, expert mentorship, and startup-building resources, Ignite empowers you to move from raw vision to a fundable, venture-ready foundation. Learn more

What We Offer

• Direct access to NEC’s global R&D resources and business networks
• Hands-on support for product engineering and technical validation
• Up to $250K in funding
• Guidance from top-tier mentors, engineers, and business development experts
• Introductions to investors and strategic corporate partners
• Exclusive workshops and founder-focused learning content

⚙️ NEC Tech Seeds (Optional)

As an Elev X! Ignite founder, you may have the opportunity to collaborate with NEC using selected frontier technologies. Below are examples of NEC Tech Seeds introduced in the webinar.

📃 Tech Seeds Overview (Slides) A high-level overview of NEC’s Tech Seeds available for startup collaboration.
🎥 Tech Seeds – Full Introduction (Recording) For a broader introduction to NEC Tech Seeds, please watch from 11:25.
📃 Negotiation Automation (Slides) Introducing the Negotiation Automation technology discussed in the webinar.
🎥 Biometrics / Facial Recognition (Recording) For an introduction to NEC's Biometrics / Facial Recognition technology, please watch from 10:33.

Eligibility

We’re looking for ambitious, hands-on founders who are ready to explore bold ideas and rapidly test early-stage solutions with our support. Ideal applicants:

• Are working as a team — or in the process of forming one
  Solo founders are welcome, but we strongly encourage having at least one co-founder or core collaborator to share the journey.
• Can build and test lightweight prototypes
  A formal engineering background isn’t required, but we look for builder-type founders who can write code, use no-code tools, or create functional demos independently.
• Are based in the U.S. and incorporated as a U.S. entity
  If you’re not yet incorporated at the time of application, you must incorporate before the start of Phase 2 (September, 2025).
• Are not required to be generating revenue or raising capital
  We’re focused on early-stage ideas — traction is a bonus, not a prerequisite.

Preferred Areas of Focus

At Elev X! Ignite, we support founders building impactful solutions that improve how businesses and institutions operate. We’re especially interested in:

• B2B software and SaaS businesses
• Solutions that enhance business processes, decision-making, or operational efficiency
• Startups leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as:
  • Generative AI
  • Computer Vision
  • Data & Predictive Analytics

While we have experience in certain sectors, we remain sector-agnostic as long as your idea aligns with our mission to create meaningful value through technology.

Our experience spans a wide range of Enterprise SaaS applications — including core functions like legal, HR, and finance; go-to-market and developer tools; as well as vertical solutions in healthcare, agriculture, sustainability, and public sector operations.

Program Structure

The program follows a three-phase funnel over the course of up to 1 year, with each stage narrowing the cohort based on progress and potential.

1. Phase 1: Business Model Design (Online, 4 weeks — 30 startups)
   Teams identify market needs through customer interviews and validate their core business concept.
   -> Top-performing teams are invited to Phase 2.

2. Phase 2: Demand Validation (Hybrid, 8 weeks — 10 startups)
   Selected teams deepen customer discovery and rapidly prototype solutions with continuous feedback.
   -> Only teams with validated demand proceed to Phase 3.

3. Phase 3: Value Delivery (Hybrid, up to 9 months — 1-3 startups)
   Finalists build MVPs, engage pilot partners, collaborate with NEC engineers, and prepare for fundraising and go-to-market.
   -> Teams work toward scalable value delivery and investor readiness.

   Follow-on investment opportunities may be available.

HOW TO APPLY

• Application period: Oct 27, 2025 - Dec 20, 2025, 11:59 pm → Extended to Jan 11, 2025 11:59 pm (Pacific Time) 
• The application typically takes around 30 minutes to complete if you already have a pitch deck.
• We begin the review process as soon as we receive the application on a rolling basis, so please be sure to submit it after you have completed the application.

SCHEDULE