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The HITLAB World Cup Challenge & Hackathon (the “Challenge”) in partnership with Utah Valley University (“UVU” or “Partner”) is a global competition focused on identifying and accelerating high-impact solutions across applied Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital identity, and life sciences.
The Challenge seeks to bring together students, academic teams, and university-affiliated ventures to develop and showcase innovative, data-driven solutions that address real-world challenges in healthcare, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
As technology continues to transform industries, this Challenge aims to identify scalable, ethical, and impactful innovations that improve access, outcomes, efficiency, and user experience across systems.
Participation in the Challenge constitutes full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and to the decisions of the Administrator and Partner, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Challenge.
Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth in these Official Rules. Challenge dates, location, and judging criteria are subject to change at the sole discretion of the Administrator and Partner.
BY ENTERING THIS CHALLENGE, YOU (“PARTICIPANT” OR “CONTESTANT”) AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ANY TERM OR CONDITION, DO NOT ENTER THE CHALLENGE.
Administrator:
Partner
Sponsor(s)
Timeline:
Submission Period:
Event Location: Hybrid via zoom and Utah Valley University at 800 W. University Parkway, Orem, UT 84058, Smith Engineering & Technology Building (SE)/Teams
Participant Requirements:
The Hackathon, in partnership with UVU’s Applied AI Institute, 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.
Team Requirements:
No prior experience or pre-existing idea is required to participate in the Hackathon.
Participant Requirements:
The Innovation World Cup Challenge in partnership with UVU’s Applied AI Institutes is open to teams that include one or more of the following:
Team Requirements:
Subject to Section B (below), each of the following are ineligible to participate in the Challenge:
Enrollment at UVU shall not, by itself, render an individual ineligible under Section A (above) solely because UVU is a Partner of the Challenge or because a UVU-affiliated individual serves as a Judge, so long as no UVU-affiliated Judge participates in the evaluation of any Challenge submission with which the Judge has a personal, supervisory, advisory, or financial relationship.
Registration
Submission Requirements
Submissions must include:
Submissions must:
Submission Limits
Submission Rights
Each Participant retains ownership of the intellectual property that they develop, subject to any pre-existing agreements or obligations applicable to the Participant.
UVU-related Participant Submissions. With respect to any Submission created in whole or in part by a UVU-affiliated student, faculty member, or employee, the rights and obligations of the Participant and UVU as between themselves shall be governed by UVU’s applicable institutional policies, including without limitation UVU Policy 136 (Intellectual Property) and any related laws and policies concerning student- or employee-created intellectual property. Nothing in these Official Rules shall be construed to alter, supersede, or waive the rights or obligations of UVU or its students, faculty, or employees under such policies.
By submitting, participants grant HITLAB, Partner, and the Sponsor (collectively, the “Challenge Licensees”) a non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide, transferable, sublicensable, fully paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual license to reproduce, adapt, create derivative works, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, make, use, and otherwise exploit the Submission for the purpose of administering, judging, promoting the Challenge, promoting Administrator, Partner, and Sponsor(s), and promoting one or more future Challenges or other events.
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
Judge Selection
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.
A) Number of Finalists: Up to ten (10) finalist teams or companies will be selected to participate in the World Cup Challenge Finals.
B) Finalist Participation Requirements:
Finalists may participate either in person at Utah Valley University or virtually via Zoom, as determined by the organizers.
Finalists must participate in any required preparation sessions, rehearsals, technical checks, or mentorship meetings leading up to the final event.
C) Date: June 17, 2026
D) Location: Hybrid via Zoom and Utah Valley University, 800 W. University Parkway, Orem, UT 84058, Smith Engineering & Technology Building (SE).
A) Hackathon Participation Requirements:
B) Team Structure:
C) Date: June 17–18, 2026
D) Location: Utah Valley University, 800 W. University Parkway, Orem, UT 84058, Smith Engineering & Technology Building (SE).
Prizes may include:
All prizes:
A) All potential Participants selected as finalists (“Finalists”) or selected as a prize winner (“Prize Winners”) are subject to verification of identity, eligibility, qualifications, and role in the creation of the Submission by Administrator, who may collaborate with Partner and Sponsor(s). Verification decisions are final and binding in all matters related to the Challenge.
B) Potential Finalists and Prize Winners must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules throughout the Challenge.
C) Potential Finalists will be notified using the email address associated with the Challenge account used to enter the Submission.
D) The potential Prize Winner will be notified in person when practical. For sake of clarity, the notification will only be sent to the Representative of the team.
E) In order to win any prize, the potential Finalists and Prize Winners will be required to sign and return to the Administrator within five (5) business days:
F) At the sole discretion of Administrator or Administrator in collaboration with Partner and/or Sponsor(s), potential Finalists and Prize Winners will be deemed ineligible to win if:
G) In the event of such disqualification, Administrator or Administrator in collaboration with Partner and/or Sponsor(s) at their sole discretion, may award the applicable Prize to an alternate Finalist or Participant.
By entering, each Contestant (including all participating members of the team) agree(s) to:
Without limiting the foregoing, the Released Parties shall have no liability in connection with:
By participating in the Challenge, Participant grants the Sponsor, Administrator, and Partner use of the Submission for press and media purposes and the Participant grants a license for such use to the Submission and all related documentation or media for publicity purposes.
Participation in the Challenge constitutes Finalists and Prize Winner’s consent to the Sponsor(s), Administrator, Partner, and their agents’ use of the winner’s name and description, including organization name, if applicable, and the likeness, photograph, voice, opinions, comments, and hometown and state of residence of individuals who participated in the Submission, for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration.
A) Administrator, Partner, and each Sponsor reserve the right to cancel, suspend, and/or modify the Challenge, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failure, or any other unanticipated factor or factor reasonably beyond Administrator’s, Partner’s, or Sponsor’s/Sponsors’ control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Challenge, as determined by Administrator, Partner, and/or Sponsor(s) at their sole discretion. This includes changing any date or dates, including (but not limited to) the dates for the Submission Period and/or the date of any event associated with the Challenge. Administrator, Partner, and/or each Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize, in whole or in part, of equal or greater monetary value if a prize cannot be awarded, in whole or in part, as described for any reason. Administrator, Partner, and each Sponsor reserve the right at their sole discretion to disqualify any individual or Participant it finds to be tampering with the Challenge, specifically, including but not limited to: tampering with the submission or voting process (for example by using the aid of computer software programs to auto-fill entries), tampering with the operation of the Challenge, acting in violation of these Official Rules, acting in a manner that is inappropriate, acting in a manner not in the best interests of this Challenge, or violating any applicable law or regulation.
B) Any attempt by any person to undermine the proper conduct of the Challenge may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Administrator, Partner, and each Sponsor reserve the right to take proper legal action, including, without limitation, referral to law enforcement, for any illegal or unlawful activities.
C) Administrator’s, Partner’s, or Sponsor’s/Sponsors’ failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. Neither Administrator, nor Partner, nor any Sponsor is responsible for incomplete, late, misdirected, damaged, lost, illegible, or incomprehensible submissions or for address or email address changes of the Participant. Proof of sending or submitting will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by the Administrator (or Partner or any Sponsor).
D) In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of the Official Rules and disclosures or other statements contained in any Challenge materials, including but not limited to the Challenge Submission form, Challenge Website, advertising (including but not limited to television, print, radio or online ads), the terms and conditions of these Official Rules shall prevail.
E) Administrator, Partner, and each Sponsor reserve the right, without liability, to amend the terms and conditions of the Official Rules at any time, including the rights or obligations of the Participant, Administrator, Partner, and Sponsor(s). Terms and conditions of the amended Official Rules will be posted on the Challenge Website. Any amendment will become effective at the time of the posting of the amended Official Rules.
F) Excluding submissions, all intellectual property related to this Challenge, including but not limited to trademarks, trade-names, logos, designs, promotional materials, web pages, source codes, drawings, illustrations, slogans and representations are owned or used under license by Administrator, Partner, and each Sponsor; provided, however, that all UVU names, marks, logos, and other UVU intellectual property shall remain the exclusive property of UVU, and Administrator’s and any Sponsor’s use of any UVU name, mark, or logo shall be governed by a separate written trademark license agreement with UVU. Participant has no right or license to use any UVU intellectual property, including but not limited to any UVU names, marks, logos, and other UVU intellectual property. Nothing in these Official Rules shall be construed as a license, transfer, or assignment of any UVU intellectual property to Administrator, Sponsor, Participant, or any other person. All rights are reserved. Unauthorized copying or use of any copyrighted material or intellectual property without the express written consent of its owners is strictly prohibited.
G) Should any provision of these Official Rules be or become illegal or unenforceable in the jurisdiction of a permitted Participant, such illegality or unenforceability shall leave the remainder of these Official Rules unaffected and valid. The illegal or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a valid and enforceable provision that comes closest and best reflects the original intention in a legal and enforceable manner with respect to the invalid or unenforceable provision.
H) Participant warrants that their Submission and associated documentation are their own original work and, as such, they, or they in conjunction with their team, are the sole and exclusive owner and rights holder of the Submission and that they have the right to grant all required licenses. Participant agrees not to submit any idea or documentation associated their Submission that: (a) misappropriates or infringes any third-party proprietary rights, intellectual property rights, industrial property rights, personal or moral rights, or any other rights, including without limitation, copyright, trademark, trade names, industrial designs, patent, trade secret, privacy, publicity or confidentiality obligations; or (b) otherwise violates applicable state, federal, or local law.
EACH PARTICIPANT ACCEPTS THE CONDITIONS STATED IN THESE OFFICIAL RULES, AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE DECISIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR, PARTNER, AND SPONSOR(S), WARRANTS THAT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMPETITION, AND AGREES TO RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS RELEASED PARTIES (AS DEFINED ABOVE IN SECTION 11) FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, LOSSES, LIABILITY, AND DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND EXPENSES) ASSERTED AGAINST ANY OF THEM, INCURRED OR SUSTAINED IN CONNECTION WITH OR RISING OUT OF ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THIS COMPETITION OR ANY TRAVEL OR ACTIVITY RELATED THERETO, USE OF ANY SOCIAL MEDIA OR RIGHTS THEREIN, OR BREACH OF ANY AGREEMENT OR WARRANTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMPETITION, INCLUDING THESE OFFICIAL RULES. ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE COMPETITION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND, SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE RELEASED PARTIES AND EACH OF THEIR LICENSEES RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK ANY AND ALL REMEDIES AVAILABLE FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SUCH ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
BY ENTERING, ALL PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING THE PARTICIPATING MEMBERS OF A TEAM OR ORGANIZATION, AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE OFFICIAL RULES AND HEREBY RELEASE THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRIZES OR PARTICIPANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CHALLENGE. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY LIABILITY LIMITATION REGARDING GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONAL ACTS, OR EVENTS OF DEATH OR BODILY INJURY SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE IN JURISDICTIONS WHERE SUCH LIMITATION IS NOT LEGAL.
Participant agrees that:
All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the Contestants, the Sponsor and the Administrator in connection with the Challenge, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York (USA), without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York; provided, however, that any matter involving Partner shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Utah, without regard to its conflict-of-laws provisions.
Any personal information collected from the Contestant(s) when entering the Challenge is subject to the Administrator’s privacy policy located at the main HITLAB website at www.hitlab.org.
Without limiting the foregoing: (a) the Administrator shall implement and maintain commercially reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect personal information of Participants, in accordance with applicable law; (b) for any Participant who is an enrolled UVU student, faculty member, or employee, Administrator shall not request, collect, or use any “education record” as that term is defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, without a separate written agreement with UVU and the affected individual’s prior written consent; (c) for Participants subject to the General Data Protection Regulation, the United Kingdom Data Protection Act 2018, the California Consumer Privacy Act, the Utah Consumer Privacy Act, or other applicable privacy law, Administrator shall comply with such law in its capacity as a controller or processor of personal information; and (d) Administrator shall notify Partner promptly, and in any event within seventy-two (72) hours, of any actual or reasonably suspected security incident affecting personal information of Participants. Records held by Partner may be subject to disclosure under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act, Utah Code § 63G-2-101 et seq.
Results will be announced on: https://www.hitlab.org/worldcup/
June 17th, 2026
This Section 19 is added to address the institutional status of Partner as a public university and instrumentality of the State of Utah. To the extent of any conflict between this Section 19 and any other provision of these Official Rules, this Section 19 shall control with respect to UVU.
Governmental Immunity. Nothing in these Official Rules shall be construed as a waiver by UVU of any defense, immunity, or limitation of liability provided by sovereign immunity, the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah (Utah Code Annotated § 63G-7-101 et seq.), the Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, or any other applicable law. UVU’s indemnification obligations, if any, are limited to those expressly provided by Utah law and are subject to the requirements and limitations of the Governmental Immunity Act, including notice-of-claim requirements and damages caps.
No Anti-Indemnification. Nothing in these Official Rules shall require UVU to indemnify any other party. Any indemnification provision purporting to impose such an obligation on UVU is void and unenforceable as contrary to Utah law and policy.
Records. Documents and communications received or created by UVU in connection with the Challenge may be public records subject to disclosure under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (“GRAMA”), Utah Code § 63G-2-101 et seq. The Administrator acknowledges that UVU may be required to disclose such records and that GRAMA, not the Administrator’s confidentiality preferences, governs UVU’s disclosure obligations.
Authority. UVU’s participation in the Challenge is contingent upon (i) the execution of a separate written agreement between UVU and the Administrator addressing the terms of the parties’ partnership, (ii) all approvals required under UVU’s contracting and signature-authority policies, and (iii) compliance with all applicable Utah laws and UVU policies, including the Utah Procurement Code (Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 6a) where applicable. UVU’s execution of any document or its toleration of the use of its name shall not be construed as a waiver of any of these contingencies.
Order of Precedence. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between these Official Rules and any separate agreement between UVU and Administrator, the separate agreement shall control as between UVU and Administrator.
Public Funds. To the extent UVU contributes any cash prize, in-kind support, facility use, or personnel time to the Challenge, such contribution constitutes public funds or public resources subject to the Utah Constitution and applicable Utah law and UVU policy.
If you have any questions or wish to send us any notice regarding this Challenge, please email abowen@hitlab.org.