TRACK 1
HITLAB World Cup: Innovation Pitchday
in Partnership with UVU Kahlert Applied AI Institute
PURPOSE
The Innovation Pitchday in partnership with Utah Valley University (UVU)’s Kahlert Applied AI Institute is a global competition designed to identify, showcase, and accelerate high-potential solutions at the intersection of applied AI, digital identity, and life sciences.
This challenge brings together top student innovators, academic research teams, and university-affiliated ventures to present solutions with strong real-world applicability, technical depth, and potential for long-term impact.
The program culminates in a live pitch competition at UVU, where selected finalists present to a panel of judges, industry leaders, and potential partners.
Who should apply
- Undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students with advanced or developed solutions
- Startups (pre-seed to Series A)
- Entrepreneurs
- Academic and research teams
- AI engineers, software developers, and data scientists
- Bio- Tech, Gov Tech, FinTech, EdTech, and Def-Tech professionals
- Interdisciplinary teams combining technical + clinical + business expertise
Note: Applicants should have a developed concept, prototype, or validated solution.
What innovations are we looking for
We are looking for creative, early-stage ideas and prototypes that address meaningful challenges across:
- Applied AI: Solutions that improve decision-making, workflows, or user experiences
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: Concepts that improve access, outcomes, patient experience, or operational efficiency
- Digital Identity & Data: Ideas that enhance security, privacy, interoperability, or user control over data
Strong submissions will demonstrate:
- A clear and relevant problem
- Creative or novel thinking
- Practical potential (even at an early stage)
- Clear and compelling communication
TRACK 2
HITLAB World Cup: Innovation Hackathon
in Partnership with UVU Kahlert Applied AI Institute
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.
Timeline
- Application Launch - May 12
- Application Closes - June 3
- Finalists Announced - June 10
- Pitchday & 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
All times below are in Mountain Standard Time, local Utah time
DAY 1 - June 17
Pitchday (Track 1)
12:00 PM
Lunch & Networking
1:00 PM
Opening Keynotes
1:30 PM
Global & Local Pitches
3:30 PM
Keynotes (Judges Deliberate)
4:00 PM
Award Ceremony
4:30 PM
Celebration & Photos
6:30 PM
Building Closes
Hackathon (Track 2)
12:00 PM
Lunch & Networking
1:00 PM
Opening Keynotes (Live Streamed)
1:30 PM
2:00 PM
Disperse to Bounty Rooms: Begin Hacking
6:30 PM
Building Closes
DAY 2 - June 18
Hackathon (Track 2)
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
Apply
Apply for the Hackathon (In-Person)
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
Pitchday Rules & Judging Criteria
Submissions must align with one of the core challenge tracks:
- Applied AI in Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Digital Identity & Data Infrastructure
- Life Sciences & MedTech
Solutions may be at the concept, prototype, MVP, pilot, or early-stage venture level. All submissions must be original and not infringe on existing intellectual property.
Teams must be available to participate in:
- Application and screening process
- Semi-final and finalist selection
- Final pitch event (virtual and in-person at UVU for finalists)
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
- Innovation & differentiation
- Real-world impact
- Technical feasibility
- Scalability & growth potential
- Implementation readiness
- Team strength
- Ethics & responsibility
Hackathon Judging 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 Pitchday & 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
