Hi,
Hope this finds you well.
I applied for Tech nation promise and it got rejected across all criterias.
Below is my application and rejection letter.
Is it worth to appeal or re apply?
Any suggestion will be much appreciated.
Thanks so much
Mandatory Criteria (MC)
MC Evidence 1
• Co-Founder & CSO of STEAM Minds (AI-powered immersive STEM learning platform using AI adaptive learning + Unity/Unreal VR labs).
• startup Won Innovator Seed Fund (ISF) Prime Minister Award Grant (Education Technology category) – USD 35,000 from HEC Pakistan & World Bank.
• Selected as 1 of 15 startups from 144 shortlisted.
• Robotics-World (original product) evolved into STEAM Minds.WSalam
MC Evidence 2
• Selected for Time2Scale 2025–2026 Estonian Cohort (Interreg/EU-funded Central Baltic programme) – 1 of 8 international teams; completed International Business Scaling Program.
• Represented STEAM Minds at Slush 2025 (Helsinki), TechChill 2026 (Riga), and Web Summit 2025 (Vancouver) as ALPHA with booth.
MC Evidence 3
• Early career as teacher; founded Robotics World with DIY robotics kits (assembly, coding, sensors, automation – beginner to advanced).
• Evolved from hands-on kits in national schools to full VR labs.
• Supporting Facebook posts/videos of early work and student engagement.
MC Evidence 4
• Partnership with NAVTTC (Government of Pakistan) since 2020 under PM Youth Skills Development Program.
• Delivered fully funded training in AI, Immersive Learning, 3D Animation, Digital Marketing, Python, Game Development to 1,500+ students with satisfactory results (letter from DG Planning & Development).
• Supporting recommendation from Anas Niaz (Founder/CEO Bioniks – Forbes 30 Under 30, Industry 4.0 / assistive tech).
Optional Criteria 1 (OC1) – Product innovation & impact
OC1 Evidence 1
• Led product strategy & technical development of STEAM Minds offline-first VR Labs (photorealistic curriculum-based science labs for schools with unstable internet / no physical labs).
• SLO-based curriculum mapping to international standards.
• Built complete LMS + interactive VR labs + real-time performance monitoring.
• USP: cost-effective practical STEM education.
• Technology stack diagram + student photos (chemistry/physics VR labs at Modernage College).
• Robotics World also delivers Scratch, Python & DIY robotics courses.
OC1 Evidence 2
• Signed MOUs with schools, government & international bodies (reached 5,000+ students).
• Key partners: Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance (USA), Orbit School (Swabi), GIKI (IT/e-commerce training), Modernage Public School & College (Abbottabad).
OC1 Evidence 3
• Audited financials (Robotics World & STEAM Minds) show combined annual revenue ≈ PKR 10 million (£26,000).
Optional Criteria 2 (OC2) – Contribution beyond day job
OC2 Evidence 1
• Presented research paper “Impact of Gamified Learning on Cognitive and Neurological Development of K12” at IEEE-sponsored ICETT 2026 (proceedings published, awaiting IEEE Xplore).
• Invited speaker at ICET 2026 – paper “Assessing the Need and Academic Opportunity for Low-Cost, Accessible Virtual Reality in UK Secondary STEM Education” (also accepted at ICMETL, Møller Institute, Churchill College Cambridge).
• Presented “Using AI in Teaching: Opportunities & Realities” at Samarkand State Institute, Uzbekistan.
OC2 Evidence 2
• STEM Ambassador (National STEM Learning Centre – UKRI-funded) & Inspiring the Future volunteer.
• Piloted “Future Week” workshops at Whitehall Primary School; supporting STEM Club launch at Stonehill School (reaching 200+ UK students).
• Invited to Industry Advisory Board, Department of Computer Science, Women University Swabi (Pakistan).
OC2 Evidence 3
• Supporting letter from co-author Dr Ayesha Anees Zaveri (UniKL Malaysia) confirming joint research paper on low-cost accessible VR for UK secondary STEM education (to be presented at ICMETL Cambridge) and its alignment with UK education priorities / STEM attainment gap.
Supporting Recommendation Letters
• Abdullah Soomro (Project Director, Prime Minister’s National Innovation Award, HEC Pakistan) – confirms 5+ years observation, 50+ schools, 5,000+ students / 100+ teachers, ISF award, international accelerators, strong fit for Exceptional Promise.
• Hira Wajahat Malik (Time2Scale Programme Manager / Junior Research Fellow, Estonian Business School) – confirms product focus on constrained environments, scaling maturity, alignment with UK STEM priorities.
Rejection email:(Reason)
Assessment panel feedback:
