HumanTech Startup Challenge 2026
Co-organized by HumanTech Center, SWPS University and UN Global Compact Network Poland, as part of HumanTech Summit 2026.
We invite startups building technology with a positive impact on people, society, the economy or the environment. Selected teams will pitch live before an expert jury in Warsaw on 3 December 2026 during the Startup Event. Winners are announced on stage and receive awards.
Apply now (opens in a new tab)
How to apply – 3 steps
- Click “Apply now” – you go to our application system.
- Scroll down to “Application”, tick “Startup application” and press “Add to cart”. It is free – the system just treats your application like a free ticket.
- The application form opens: fill in your details and answers, upload your pitch deck (PDF, max. 20 MB) and press Submit.
Application deadline: 10 November 2026, 23:59 CET. Filling in the form takes about 20 minutes. Your answers are not saved until you submit, so you may want to prepare them in a separate document first.
Themes
- Human-Centered AI & DesignRead more →
Human-Centered AI & Design
AI products succeed when people understand them, trust them and stay in control. We want startups that put human needs first – not just model accuracy.
What we are looking for
- Explainable, transparent AI that users can question and correct
- Inclusive, accessible design built with real users
- Tools that augment people's judgement instead of replacing it
Why apply
Pitch to researchers and investors who care about how AI feels to use, get feedback grounded in human-centred research and meet partners from SWPS University's HumanTech Center.
- Generative AI & LLMsRead more →
Generative AI & LLMs
Generative AI is rewriting how we create, search and work. We are looking for teams building useful, responsible products on top of large language and multimodal models.
What we are looking for
- Assistants and agents that solve a concrete problem well
- Reliable, safe and evaluated LLM applications – not just demos
- New interfaces for working, learning and creating with AI
Why apply
Show your product to an audience that knows the field, get sharp feedback on safety and product-market fit and connect with partners ready to pilot.
- Health & WellbeingRead more →
Health & Wellbeing
From mental-health apps to wearables and digital therapeutics – technology can make people healthier and happier, if it is built on evidence and respect for the user.
What we are looking for
- Digital mental-health and wellbeing solutions
- Prevention, diagnostics and care supported by data and AI
- Products that improve wellbeing instead of maximising screen time
Why apply
Meet psychologists, clinicians and researchers who can validate your approach, and investors looking for health-tech with real impact.
- Future of Work & LearningRead more →
Future of Work & Learning
Work and education are changing faster than ever. We want startups that help people learn, adapt and thrive as AI and automation reshape jobs.
What we are looking for
- Reskilling and lifelong-learning platforms
- Tools for hybrid teams, wellbeing at work and fair hiring
- EdTech that measurably improves how people learn
Why apply
Get feedback from HR leaders, educators and researchers, and find pilot partners among universities and employers attending the summit.
- Cybersecurity & Digital SafetyRead more →
Cybersecurity & Digital Safety
Most attacks target people, not systems. We are looking for security products that protect users from scams, deepfakes and manipulation – and that people actually use.
What we are looking for
- Protection against phishing, fraud and social engineering
- Deepfake and disinformation detection
- Usable privacy and security for individuals, families and SMEs
Why apply
Pitch to security experts and investors, and learn how behavioural research can make your product more effective.
- Human-Robot InteractionRead more →
Human-Robot Interaction
Robots are leaving the factory floor and entering hospitals, classrooms and homes. How should they look, speak and behave so that people trust them – and when should they not be trusted at all?
What you will explore
- Social robots in care, education and customer service
- Trust, empathy and the uncanny valley – what research tells us
- Live demos and lessons from real-world deployments
Why join
Engineers, psychologists, designers and anyone fascinated by the future of living alongside machines – come see, question and meet the robots up close.
- VR / AR / XRRead more →
VR / AR / XR
Immersive technologies are moving from gaming into therapy, training, culture and collaboration. We want XR products with a clear human benefit.
What we are looking for
- XR for therapy, rehabilitation and training
- Immersive learning, culture and storytelling
- Spatial collaboration and presence for distributed teams
Why apply
Demo your experience to an audience that understands immersion, and get research-based feedback on what makes it work for real users.
- Human AugmentationRead more →
Human Augmentation
Exoskeletons, brain-computer interfaces, smart prosthetics, cognitive enhancement – the line between human and technology is getting thinner. How far can we, and should we, go?
What you will explore
- Neurotechnology and brain-computer interfaces
- Assistive tech that restores and extends human abilities
- Ethics of enhancement: identity, equality and consent
Why join
For visionaries and sceptics alike – scientists, ethicists, engineers and anyone wondering what it will mean to be human in 2040.
- Tech for Society & Crisis ResponseRead more →
Tech for Society & Crisis Response
Technology can protect people when it matters most – in crises, conflicts and for those most often left behind. We are looking for impact-driven teams.
What we are looking for
- Tools for emergency response, resilience and civil protection
- Solutions supporting refugees, seniors and excluded groups
- Civic tech, democracy and countering disinformation
Why apply
Meet NGOs, public institutions and impact investors, and get visibility for a solution that makes society more resilient.
- Creativity & Culture TechRead more →
Creativity & Culture Tech
AI and new media are transforming how culture is created and experienced. We want startups that empower artists, institutions and audiences.
What we are looking for
- Creative tools that keep the human author at the centre
- New ways to experience museums, music, film and heritage
- Fair models for creators in the age of generative AI
Why apply
Pitch to cultural institutions, creators and investors, and find partners to test your product with real audiences.
Who can apply
Startups and early-stage companies from any country, from working prototype (MVP) stage onwards, whose solution fits at least one of the themes above. At least one founder must be able to pitch in person, in English, in Warsaw on 3 December 2026.
Timeline
- 10 November 2026, 23:59 CET – applications close
- 17 November 2026 – selected startups notified
- 26 November 2026 – final pitch deck (PPTX) due
- 3 December 2026, 11:00–13:00 – pitch session and awards
How the jury evaluates
Impact 25% · Innovation 20% · Market & business model 20% · Team 20% · Traction & feasibility 15%
Apply now (opens in a new tab)
Questions? Write to htsummit@swps.edu.pl.