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ESX 2025

TechVision Challenge

Shark Tank Style Head-to-Head Challenge
Do your products/services have what it takes to win?

Shark Tank-Style Product Pitch Competition Held LIVE at ESX 2025

Congratulations! As one of the top scoring Innovation Award entries you have been selected to compete in our ESX TechVision Challenge—a head-to-head “Shark Tank”-style contest.

This live pitch competition will recognize outstanding products and services that drive the electronic security and life safety industry forward.

This is your chance to present the value of your products/services to our Industry Sharks. The winner of this competition will be named ESX’s Best in Show.

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COMPLETE CONTESTANT AGREEMENT

The Specifics

THE FORMAT

Each contestant will be given three (3) minutes behind closed doors to present their product or service before our “industry sharks.” The judges will challenge each contestant to “defend” why their new product or service is deserving of the title Best of Show.
Bring only your product and your presentation skills – no PowerPoints or video, unless the video is part of the live demonstration or is required to directly demonstrate the product or service (please see attached rules).

WHEN

Monday, June 16 | 9:00AM-12:00PM
Presentations will take place in rooms 108 and 109 of the Cobb Galleria Convention Center. Each contestant’s presentation time and room will be assigned on Friday, May 30.
By 4:00PM on Monday, June 17, the two finalists will be notified (by phone to designated company representative)

Official Rules

  1. Up to 10 selected entries from the Innovation Awards judging process will be invited to compete in the TechVision Challenge.
  2. The interactive judging panel will consist of a minimum of three (3) judges and no more than five (5) judges.
  3. This event is closed to the public. Only representatives who are employed by the contestant’s company, the judges and ESX staff will be present.
  4. The event will take place at ESX at the Kentucky International Convention Center. Each invited contestant will be assigned a specific time slot that includes set-up and presentation time. Please note that presentations earlier in the day, judges’ breaks, etc., may cause schedule delays and impact your presentation start time.
  5. Two adjoining rooms will be utilized to manage the flow of the presentations. While one room is being used for a live presentation, the next company in line to present will be in the adjoining room setting up their product demos (15-minute set-up time) and preparing for their live presentation. Judges will move from room to room to accommodate the presentation process flow.
  6. Each company will be allowed three (3) minutes for their presentation. Contestants are encouraged to use a live demo of their product and may provide product literature for the judging process (use of A/V equipment can only be used to assist in a live demo of the product or service and A/V equipment is not supplied or paid for by ESX). Support people from that same company are welcome to participate in the presentation. The judges expect a live demonstration of the product or service.
  7. The panel of judges, our “industry sharks,” will be allowed up to twelve (12) minutes per presentation to ask probing questions that will help them select the Best of Show product or service. In addition, a runner up will also be acknowledged.
  8. Presentations will be photographed and recorded. Each company and its representatives agree to be photographed and recorded for ESX promotional purposes.
  9. The winner will be announced on in the exhibit hall @ 2:15 PM on Tuesday, June 17. Judges will present the winner and runner up with awards. Highlights from the competition will be shared with the ESX audience during the Keynote Luncheon, prior to the expo opening.
  10. The entire TechVision Challenge event, as well as all of ESX, will be recorded and may be “aired” in the future for ESX promotional purposes, including the Best of Show presentation.
  11. All judges’ decisions are final. 

SELECTION OF THE WINNER WILL BE BASED ON JUDGING CRITERIA THAT INCLUDES (WHERE APPLICABLE):

  • Features & Functions – intended use and end user value 
  • Aesthetic & Design Qualities – addresses end user appeal and form function 
  • Ground breaking or Innovative – delivers a unique and useful technology 
  • Improves the End User’s Experience – enhances end user engagement 
  • Solves a Problem – resolves or improves an internal or external problem  
  • Improves Efficiency – provides a more efficient or effective sales or operation environment  
  • Grows Revenues (RMR, Install or Service) – contributes to increasing revenues 
  • Increases Company value – contributes to increasing enterprise value or operating profits 
  • Regulatory Compliance – if applicable, meet or exceeds regulatory compliance for vertical. 
  • Overall WOW factor – ground breaking technology that benefits operational excellence or customer experience  

It will be up to each invited contestant to prepare their own presentation for the competition, addressing the judging criteria during the process. 

Note: Being chosen as an Innovation Award category winner does not guarantee entry into the TechVision Challenge as a finalist for Best of Show.

Contestant Agreement