Microsoft and CCI Innovation Challenge for Virginia

Bring your skills to the Innovation Challenge hackathon build AI-powered solutions for real-world problems. Gain hands-on experience with Microsoft technologies, learn from industry mentors, grow your network, and showcase your talent to future employers.

Open to currently enrolled students at colleges and universities across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

$10,000 Prize for the Winning Team

Build Solutions That Matter

Tackle real-world challenges facing Virginia's public, academic, nonprofit, and business communities while building a working AI solution that demonstrates your skills and creativity.

Learn, Connect, and Get Noticed

Network with peers, researchers, employers, government leaders, and technology innovators from across the Commonwealth.

Compete for $10,000 and Open Career Doors

Showcase your ability to solve complex problems, collaborate across disciplines, and apply AI responsibly. The winning team will receive a $10,000 grand prize, and all participants gain valuable experience that can help set them apart with future employers.

Imagine How Technology Can Improve Lives

Challenge scenarios will be announced before the competition and will focus on opportunities to improve outcomes for Virginia through responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Potential areas may include:

• Cybersecurity and resilience
• Healthcare and community well-being
• Critical infrastructure
• Environmental sustainability
• Responsible and trustworthy AI

Who Will Win?

Winning teams will demonstrate excellence across four equally weighted dimensions:

25% Innovation

How original, creative, and transformative is the solution?

25% Performance

How effectively does the solution work? Does it demonstrate strong technical execution and user experience?

25% Economic Value & Societal Impact

What measurable benefit could the solution create for Virginia's communities, citizens, institutions, or economy?

25% Feasibility

Can the solution realistically be implemented, adopted, and scaled?

The strongest solutions will combine technical excellence with practical impact.

Who Can Participate?

Current undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Virginia colleges and universities are eligible to participate. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply, including cybersecurity, computer science, engineering, data science, business, healthcare, public policy, design, and related fields.

Register Now