An Innovation Challenge is a competition where teams of three to five Pitt-Bradford students, from any discipline or credit level, partner with local companies to develop innovative solutions to real-world business challenges.
Pitt-Bradford students have the opportunity to solve real challenges facing regional manufacturers and WIN money by doing so!
*Participating companies may award $2,500 to the strongest team addressing their challenge:
Click a company’s name to learn more about its work.
*Industry Awards are awarded at each participating company’s discretion and are not guaranteed.
Industry Award winners will then compete for the $2,500 Grand Prize, giving one team the chance to win $5,000 in total.
November 12, 2026 | Industry Partner Informational Meeting from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. in Room 222 at the George B. Duke Engineering & Information Technologies Building
November 18, 2026 | Challenge Commitment Deadline at 5:00 p.m.
March 2, 2027 | Final Solution Deadline
March 4, 2027 | Pitch Event
Competition Duration: January 19–March 4, 2027
Participating companies will introduce their challenges during the November 12 informational meeting. Students will then have the opportunity to explore the challenges, connect with potential teammates, and select the project they want to pursue.
Complete this brief form to receive program updates, important dates, and information about how to participate. Each student should submit the form individually, even if you already have a team.
Teams will include three to five Pitt-Bradford students from any major or academic level.
The Innovation Challenge is open to Pitt-Bradford students who:
Students are expected to form their own teams. Team-matching support will be available for students who need additional team members.
All intellectual property related to a company’s challenge, including the solution developed by the student team, will belong to the Industry Partner.
The Innovation Challenge brings together industry, higher education, economic development, and community partners to give University of Pittsburgh at Bradford students hands-on experience solving real business and manufacturing challenges alongside industry professionals.
Led by the Bradford Area Alliance, the initiative is made possible through partnerships with Allegheny Bradford Corporation, American Refining Group, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania, Dresser Utility Solutions, the Halloran Trust, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and Zippo Manufacturing Company.
