2025 IEEE Connecting the
Unconnected Winners Summit
Connect with the IEEE CTU Challenge Winners!
Don’t Miss the 2025 IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Winners Summit! Ready to connect with the innovators solving the global digital divide?
A virtual event dedicated to bridging the global digital divide. This summit is an exclusive, two-day program where you will have the unique opportunity to meet and learn directly from the innovators who were awarded prizes in the annual IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Challenge.
Whether you’re a thought leader, industry expert, investor, or enthusiast, this Summit is the premier venue to understand and engage with the future of universal connectivity.
Register now for the 2025 IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Winners Summit—an exclusive, two-day virtual event on December 15-16, 2025!
Program Agenda
At the 15-16 December 2025 event (host on WebEx) you have a unique chance to:
- Meet the Winners: Hear directly from the groundbreaking teams awarded prizes in the annual IEEE CTU Challenge across Technology Applications, Business Models, and Community Enablement. Get deep dives into their scalable and sustainable early-stage projects.
- Engage in Live Q&A: Learn the technical, strategic, and community-focused approaches that earned them global recognition.
- Join Interactive Round Tables: Participate in live discussions with the winners, sponsors, and supporters. Go beyond the tech specs and discover the human stories, partnerships, and strategies they use to build trust and lasting social impact. Learn not just how they connect technology, but how they connect with people!
| DAY 1 – 15 Dec 2025 – all times are EST (NY, USA) – PROOF OF CONCEPT DAY | ||||
| start time | end time | Topic | Details | |
| 9:00 AM | 9:05 AM | Logistics & Welcome | ||
| 9:05 AM | 9:20 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks | Host/Chair welcomes attendees, reviews agenda, and sets the tone. | |
| 9:20 AM | 9:50 AM | Keynote Address | Keynote presentation (30 minutes, including Q&A) | |
| 9:50 AM | 10:00 AM | Winners intro | A short transition before the presentations begin | |
| 10:00 AM | 10:25 AM | Winners Presentation – Best Overall | Winners presentation (25 minutes, including Q&A) | |
| 10:25 AM | 11:25 AM | Winners Presentation – 1st Place | Winners presentations (20 minutes each, including Q&A) | |
| 11:25 AM | 12:10 PM | Winners Presentation – 2nd Place | Winners presentations (15 minutes each, including Q&A) | |
| 12:10 PM | 12:20 PM | Winners Presentation – Honorable Mention | Winners presentations (10 minutes) | |
| 12:20 PM | 1:20 PM | Lunch Break | Lunch and informal networking – exhibitor rooms | |
| 1:20 PM | 1:30 PM | Round Table Intro | Introduction to the breakout rooms | |
| 1:30 PM | 2:30 PM | Round Table Discussion | Small group discussions – Facilitated breakouts | |
| 2:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Round Table Summaries | Facilitators report key takeaways | |
| 3:00 PM | 3:15 PM | Closing Remarks | Thanks to speakers, sponsors, and attendees; preview for tomorrow | |
| 3:15 PM | Day 1 Concludes | |||
| DAY 2 – 16 Dec 2025 – all times are EST (NY, USA) – CONCEPT DAY | ||||
| start time | end time | Topic | Details | |
| 9:00 AM | 9:05 AM | Logistics & Welcome | ||
| 9:05 AM | 9:20 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks | Details about other CTU activities | |
| 9:20 AM | 9:50 AM | Keynote Address | Keynote presentation (30 minutes, including Q&A) | |
| 9:50 AM | 10:00 AM | Winners intro | A short transition before the presentations begin | |
| 10:00 AM | 10:25 AM | Winners Presentation – Best Overall | Winners presentations (25 minutes each, including Q&A) | |
| 10:25 AM | 11:25 AM | Winners Presentation – 1st Place | Winners presentation (20 minutes each, including Q&A) | |
| 11:25 AM | 12:10 PM | Winners Presentation – 2nd Place | Winners presentations (15 minutes each, including Q&A) | |
| 12:10 PM | 12:20 PM | Winners Presentation – Honorable Mention | Winners presentation (10 minutes) | |
| 12:20 PM | 1:20 PM | Lunch Break | Lunch and informal networking – exhibitor rooms | |
| 1:20 PM | 1:30 PM | Round Table Intro | Introduction to the breakout rooms | |
| 1:30 PM | 2:30 PM | Round Table Discussion | Small group discussions – Facilitated breakouts | |
| 2:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Round Table Summaries | Facilitators report key takeaways (max 10 minutes each, depends on # of rooms) | |
| 3:00 PM | 3:15 PM | Closing Remarks | Thanks to speakers, sponsors, and attendees; final call to action | |
| 3:15 PM | Summit Concludes | |||
How to become part of CTU’s work
Collaborate with us to make a difference in communities that do not have access to essential technology so that we can all work better the world. We look forward to working with you!
Volunteer your time and expertise in many ways, including: judging, mentoring, planning, & sponsoring for the challenge, summit, mentoring program, or “Connect a Community” Initiative.