Design Pitch an initiative of UMO Design is where the people answering that question- students, designers, engineers, researchers, and founders. Put human-centered products on a global stage at UXINDIA, in front of design leaders, go-to-market specialists, and investors.
More than a competition, Design Pitch is a platform to discover, celebrate, and support the next generation of human-centered products.
AI is automating execution. As it does, the durable advantage shifts from technical skill alone to something harder to automate: deeply understanding people and solving problems worth solving.
That puts designers, and the builders who think like them, in a position to lead the next wave of products. Design Pitch exists to find them and give them a stage.
Everything here revolves around one idea, so let's be clear about it. Human-centered innovation starts with people, not technology. We believe the best products:
Solve a meaningful human problem.
Are inclusive and accessible by design
Are desirable, people actually want to use them
Are technically feasible and economically sustainable
Leave society better than they found it.
If you've ever looked at a broken experience and thought, "there has to be a better way", this is for you. You do not need funding, revenue, a registered company, investors, or a polished deck.
One requirement, no exceptions: A working prototype. Design Pitch showcases products people can experience, not ideas on slides. Functional builds, working hardware, and interactive digital prototypes all qualify: pure concepts and static mockups don't. Digital, physical, hardware, service, AI and hybrid products are all welcome.
Two ways to enter. Pick the category that matches where you are.
Stage 0
A working prototype or early build, not yet in market. Student builds and first-time founder projects belong here.
Stage 1
Launched, with real users, early traction, or revenue, ready to scale. The two are judged separately, so early builders are never measured against funded operators.
IP Ownership and Responsibility: Product owners are the ones who submit the ideas to Design Pitch, retain the IP of their submitted ideas and are fully responsible for the submitted ideas or any material. UMO Design / UXINDIA by no means is neither responsible nor has any rights on the submitted ideas and material.
AI & Intelligent Products
Consumer Products
Enterprise & B2B
Health & Wellbeing
Climate & Sustainability
Social & Civic Innovation Accessibility
Others
Accessibility and inclusive design are valued across every domain and recognized with a dedicated award.
The front door is easy. The depth comes only if you're shortlisted.
open to everyone
No business Plan. No financial projections. No technical documentation.
deeper details and supporting materials
The Top 25 finalists go deeper, scaled to stage, with mentoring and pitch coaching provided:
We won't ask a New Product finalist for a Series-A data room. Finalists are guided on exactly what fits their stage.
How we judge We are not judging who has raised the most money. We're judging the best solution for people.
Criterion
Weight
Problem/use-case and the solution
25%
Human-Centered Design & Experience
20%
Innovation & Differentiation
15%
Feasibility & Prototype
15%
Business Viability
15%
Sustainability & Ethics
10%
New and Emerging entries are scored with stage in mind - early builders on promise and prototype, not polish and profit.
Recognition that goes beyond winners.
Hundreds of participants earn recognition they can showcase, not just the final winners.
Badges & Credentials
Every Top 100 entrant receives a verifiable digital badge and certificate, whether they're Top 100, finalist or winner. Celebrate your achievement on LinkedIn, portfolios, and beyond.
Recognition you can carry forward.
Hundreds of builders leave with recognition they can show, not just the handful who win.
Badges & credentials. Every Top 100 entrant receives a verifiable digital badge and certificate, Top 100, Finalist, or Winner, for LinkedIn and portfolios. Recognition you can carry with you.
Top 10 Finalists receive
A live presentation slot at the Design Pitch Showcase, UXINDIA 2026
A complimentary UXINDIA conference pass
A private networking reception with jury members, founders, mentors, and industry leaders
Mentorship from design and product leaders
Media visibility and industry recognition
Introductions to innovation partners, accelerators, and investors where appropriate
An invitation to the Design Pitch community
Let's be straight:
Design Pitch is about recognition and access, not a cash prize, and no funding is guaranteed. What you get is a global stage and real proximity to people who are otherwise hard to reach. For the right builder, that's the more valuable prize.
The Top 10 take part in a live innovation showcase,
not a slides-only contest
Your work is seen by a panel drawn from top UXINDIA speakers, senior design leaders, product executives, GTM specialists, and venture investors.
Finalists present live to this panel at the conference.
Full jury and partner lineup announced through August
Program Launches, Submissions Open
Jury announcements, product spotlights & "Road to Design Pitch" sessions
Submission deadline
Online Jury Review
Top 25 shortlisted announced. Top 100 published
Finalist mentoring & pitch coaching
Online Pitch and deciding Top 10 finalists.
2-4 pm Live Design Pitch Showcase @UXINDIA, Leela Bhartiya City
4:30 pm
Awards Ceremony
1. Choose your category and one primary domain.
2. Record a demo of your working prototype.
3. Write your 300-word product story.
4. Submit before August 14, 2026.
5. Shortlisted? we'll guide you through the finalist stage.
