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 (hosted 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 Sudhir Dixit Co-Founder, Senior Fellow & Evangelist, Basic Internet Foundation | Host/Chair welcomes attendees, reviews agenda, and sets the tone. | |
| 9:20 AM | 9:50 AM | Keynote Address Naveed Haq Senior Director, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Internet Society | 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 | |||
| 3:15 PM | 4:15 PM | Networking | Round Tables will reopen for general networking and discussion | |
| 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 Ashutosh Dutta Director and Chief 5G Strategist, Senior Scientist, Lawrence R. Hafstad Fellow, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory | Details about other CTU activities including: – Public Choice Award – Connect a Community – Empowerment through Mentorship | |
| 9:20 AM | 9:50 AM | Keynote Address Morgan Kiani Professor of Engineering, Texas Christian University | 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 | 1:50 PM | Keynote Address Grayson Randell 2025 IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board Chair | Keynote presentation (30 minutes, including Q&A) | |
| 1:50 PM | 2:00 PM | Round Table Intro | Introduction to the breakout rooms | |
| 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM | Round Table Discussion | Small group discussions – Facilitated breakouts | |
| 3:00 PM | 3:15 PM | Round Table Summaries | Facilitators report key takeaways (max 10 minutes each, depends on # of rooms) | |
| 3:30 PM | 3:45 PM | Closing Remarks | Thanks to speakers, sponsors, and attendees; final call to action | |
3:45 PM Summit Concludes – Round tables will re-open until 4:45pm for general networks and discussions
Thank you to our Sponsors and Supporters
The amazing impact that this program, and the challenge winners have had over the years would not have been possible without your support!
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.