Hackathon
PURPOSE
The Innovation Hackathon in partnership with Utah Valley University (UVU)’s Kahlert Applied AI Institute, is a fast-paced innovation experience designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and rapid problem-solving. Participants will work in teams to develop early-stage solutions to real-world challenges across applied AI, digital identity, and life sciences.
This experience emphasizes hands-on learning, interdisciplinary teamwork, and the ability to quickly translate ideas into tangible concepts or prototypes within a short timeframe.
Who should apply
The Hackathon is open to individuals worldwide who are 18 years of age or older at the time of application. All Hackathon participants are required to participate in person at Utah Valley University during the Hackathon event dates unless otherwise approved by the organizers.
- Participants may apply regardless of student or professional status
- A dedicated Student Category will be available for individuals currently enrolled as undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral students at an accredited college or university
- Participants applying to the Student Category must be able to provide valid proof of student status (e.g., university email address or student ID)
- Participants are solely responsible for all travel, lodging, meals, transportation, and related expenses associated with participation in the Hackathon unless otherwise stated by the organizers
What innovations are we looking for
During the Hackathon, participants will work on real-world challenge statements (“bounties”) provided by sponsoring organizations and industry leaders. Teams will collaborate on-site to develop innovative concepts, prototypes, and technical solutions within the event timeframe.
Bounties may require:
- Applied AI: Solutions that improve decision-making, workflows, automation, analytics, or user experiences
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: Ideas that improve access, outcomes, patient experience, care delivery, or operational efficiency
- Digital Identity & Data: Concepts focused on security, privacy, interoperability, trust, and user control over data
Participants are not required to arrive with an existing startup, business idea, or completed prototype. Solutions will be developed during the Hackathon in response to the live challenges presented at the event.
Hackathon Registration
Apply as an individual or team. Individuals will be added to a team of 3 or more during the Hackathon.
Deadline is Monday, June 15 @ 11:59pm MST
Timeline
- Application Closes - June 15 at 11:59pm Utah time
- Hackathon at UVU – June 17
- Hackathon at UVU – June 18
*All deadlines are at 11:59 pm Mountain Time on the respective days, unless otherwise stated.
Agenda
DAY 1 - June 17
12:00 PM
Lunch & Networking
1:00 PM
Opening Keynotes (Live Streamed)
1:30 PM
Bounty Presentations
2:00 PM
Disperse to Bounty Rooms: Begin Hacking
6:30 PM
Building Closes
DAY 2 - June 18
8:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM
12:00 PM
Lunch
2:00 PM
Code Freeze & Hackers Present
4:00 PM
Keynotes (Judges Deliberate)
5:00 PM
Awards Ceremony & Reception
6:30 PM
Building Closes
All times below are in Mountain Standard Time, local Utah time. Events will be held in the Scott Smith Engineering Building.
Attend the Event
4:00 PM
Keynotes (Judges Deliberate)
5:00 PM
Awards Ceremony & Reception
6:30 PM
Building Closes
Apply to Attend Hackathon in Person
Register to Attend Hackathon Virtually
Hackathon Mentor
Apply as a Mentor
Benefits
Participants will gain:
- Exposure to leaders across healthcare, AI, and life sciences
- Mentorship from academic and industry experts
- Opportunity to pitch to a panel of high-profile judges
- Access to potential funding, partnerships, and pilot opportunities
- Visibility across HITLAB and partner networks
- $30k+ of cash and in-kind prizes
- Finalists will receive dedicated pitch coaching and the opportunity to present live at UVU.
Rules & Criteria
All submissions will be evaluated in person by the respective bounty owners. Each bounty owner will review the solutions tied to their challenge and select the winning team based on how effectively the solution addresses the problem, including feasibility, creativity, and alignment with the stated objective.
Partners
Sponsor the Hackathon
Partner or sponsor the World Cup Pitchday & Hackathon
Sponsor a Hackathon Bounty
While sponsors may contribute general funding, equipment, laptops, or other resources, bounty owners will be responsible for providing a specific challenge or problem statement for participants to solve during the hackathon.
Bounty owners may:
- Define the challenge/problem statement
- Specify the associated prize amount
- Review submissions related to their bounty
- Select the winning team or participants
