Accelerating hardware ventures to solve the world’s toughest challenges.

Benefits
Process
Regional Events
Application
FAQ

Awardees Receive.

  • Expert Guidance

    Get one-on-one feedback from global domain experts across user research, design, manufacturing, implementation and impact. Their guidance helps you refine your product and avoid costly mistakes.

  • Equity-Free Funding

    Access non-dilutive seed grants to advance your prototype and take the next step toward market readiness—without giving up equity.

  • Global Visibility

    Showcase your venture on an international stage and join a network of innovators, partners, and investors committed to hardware-led impact.

  • Lasting Support

    Beyond the event, ISHOW ventures join the ASME hardware ecosystem, gaining long-term mentorship, resources, and connections to scale their innovation.

Register to Apply

  • "ISHOW was an eye-opening experience for us. It was the first time we pitched our idea to people who were asking the right questions. Even though we came in thinking we had all the answers, there were a lot of blind spots. "

    - AHMED, WETech

  • “ASME came in just as we needed to figure out what to do next, how to make more meters, and work out the strategy for manufacturing.”

    - Fausto, PayGo

The ISHOW Journey

Ventures selected at regional events as awardees are invited to participate in the ISHOW Accelerator, where over several months, they engage in one-on-one mentorship, product validation, and strategic business support to help these innovators refine their prototypes, strengthen implementation plans, and prepare for real-world impact.

    • Applications to ISHOW are accepted year-round, with defined cut-off dates for consideration based on location/regional focus.

    • Entrepreneurs register online to receive the full application by email.

    • Ventures responses to the full application are evaluated by ASME staff and select industry experts.

    • Selected ventures are invited as finalists to attend one of the regional ISHOW events (Africa, India, or the Americas). Ventures from all regions including those not mentioned may apply, and will be considered for the best fit regional event at ASME staff discretion.

    • Invited ventures are requested to confirm their participation and share key additional details and assets for promotional purposes.

    • Attending ventures receive pre-event materials and onboarding guidance—including presentation format, logistics, and coaching—two weeks before the event.

    • Ventures attend a 2–3 day regional ISHOW, held either virtually or in person.

    • The event begins with a program orientation and introductions to ASME staff and the Expert Cohort.

    • Ventures present their products in a 5-minute pitch to an audience of peers and experts.

    • Each venture meets with teams of domain experts aligned to ASME’s five assessment pillars for detailed feedback and discussion.

    • Experts then meet to review each venture’s progress and potential, ultimately selecting three teams from each region to join the global ISHOW Accelerator.

    • The event concludes with a closing reception—open to the public—celebrating all participants.

    • Every venture, regardless of selection, receives written expert feedback and ongoing access to community updates and opportunities.

    • Awardees enter a multi-month accelerator program focused on advancing both technical and strategic development. This takes place virtually.

    • Ventures receive equity-free seed grants to support design and validation efforts.

    • Accelerator activities include:

      • Design & Engineering Review – a detailed technical audit by experts to identify gaps and next steps.

      • 1-on-1 mentoring sessions – customized coaching on technical, business, and impact-related challenges.

      • Workshops and group sessions – peer learning on manufacturing strategy, regulatory pathways, and impact measurement.

      • Progress tracking – regular milestone check-ins with ASME staff and mentors using Product Development Milestones (PDMs).

      • Direct design support - Work with a partnering product design consultancy to advance prototypes and design priorities

    • At year’s end, ASME hosts a Global Cohort Announcement, celebrating all regional awardees.

    • Ventures are featured across ASME platforms and formally welcomed into the ISHOW Alumni Network.

    • Alumni continue to benefit from:

      • Continued access to ASME’s Expert Cohort for ongoing advice and support.

      • Visibility opportunities through ASME media, conferences, and partner showcases.

      • Follow-on support, including potential funding, technical reviews, and partnership opportunities.

      • Invitations to mentor or serve as peer reviewers for future cohorts.

    • The relationship extends beyond the program—ISHOW alumni become part of a global ecosystem of hardware innovators, supporting one another and advancing impact-driven engineering worldwide.

Hardware Innovation Pillars

ISHOW evaluates across all five pillars to ensure solutions are user-driven, technically sound, scalable, and built for lasting impact. The opportunity to engage at the Regional ISHOWs is a great way to get invaluable insights from industry experts.

  • We look closely at how well ventures understand the communities they serve. A deep connection to users ensures products solve the right problems and can be adopted in real-world contexts.

    Reference Guide

  • Strong design and rigorous testing are critical for reliable hardware. We assess whether prototypes meet user needs, function safely, and are ready for the next stage of development.

    Reference Guide

  • Scaling requires more than a prototype. We evaluate plans for materials, processes, and supply chains to ensure products can be manufactured efficiently and at scale.

    Reference Guide

  • An idea is only as strong as its pathway to reach users. We examine how ventures plan to deliver, distribute, and sustain their solutions in the environments they are designed for.

    Reference Guide

  • True innovation creates lasting value. We measure the potential for social and environmental impact, ensuring ventures contribute to healthier, more sustainable communities.

    Reference Guide

2026 Regional Events

July 6-9

Africa (Virtual)

Closing Ceremony

7pm EAT July 15, 2026

Virtual

To be considered

Apply by May 3

August 3-6

Americas (Virtual)

Closing Ceremony

12pm ET August 11, 2026

Virtual

To be considered

Apply by May 25

September 2

Chennai, India

Closing Ceremony

September 3, 2026

@ IMECE India

To be considered

Apply by March 31

Ventures outside the listed regions should apply as soon as possible and will be considered for the next appropriate ISHOW event or a later event of better fit.

For applications received after the cut-off date for consideration for the 2026 cycle, ventures will automatically be considered to be applying for the 2027 ISHOW Accelerator.

Applications Now Open!

Register to Apply

FAQs

  • ISHOW (Innovation Showcase) is ASME’s accelerator for hardware-led social ventures. We help entrepreneurs refine prototypes, validate designs, and scale solutions that address pressing global challenges.

  • Any hardware-led social venture with at least a functional prototype is eligible. We accept applications from ventures in health, energy, water, agriculture, and other impact-driven sectors.

  • ISHOW ventures receive equity-free seed funding, tailored design and engineering reviews, mentorship from global domain experts, and access to ASME’s Expert Cohort and networks.

  • Applications are reviewed by ASME staff and expert reviewers. Selected ventures pitch at a regional ISHOW (India, Africa, or Americas), where expert assessments determine which ventures advance to the ISHOW Accelerator.

  • ISHOW Ventures are those selected to participate in a regional ISHOW event. Awardees are ventures recognized at the Closing Ceremony and invited to join the ISHOW Accelerator for additional design and engineering support.

  • Each ISHOW awardee receives up to $10,000 USD in equity-free seed grants, along with long-term support from ASME’s hardware portfolio.

  • No. ISHOW events are regional. Ventures across India, East Africa, and the Americas are welcome to apply to their respective regional ISHOW.

  • Awardees join the ISHOW Accelerator, receiving extended mentorship, design reviews, and visibility within ASME’s global ecosystem of innovators, investors, and partners.

  • No. There are no fees to apply or participate in ISHOW. Selected ventures receive support, mentorship, and funding at no cost.