On November 20, Ivy Tech Community College and TechPoint will bring IT and computing students from colleges and universities across Indiana together for the 2026 Ivy Tech IT Challenge, a statewide competition built around real business problems.

The one-day event gives students an opportunity to apply their skills, collaborate with peers from other institutions and demonstrate their abilities directly to Indiana employers.

Students will compete in four tracks:

  • Software development and computer science
  • Cybersecurity and cloud technologies
  • Data analytics, AI and informatics
  • IT support and network infrastructure

The event is open to IT and computing students at any Indiana college or university, regardless of where they are in their program. Participants will be placed on cross-institution teams, giving them experience working with people who bring different skills, perspectives and academic backgrounds.

More Than a Competition

The day begins with three-hour preliminary challenges in each discipline. The top teams from each track will advance to an interdisciplinary championship challenge in the afternoon.

Students who do not advance will participate in career programming, including a career fair, resume reviews, mock interviews and employer information sessions.

That structure gives every participant an opportunity to build practical experience and professional connections. It also gives employers a better way to evaluate emerging talent based on demonstrated ability, not just a resume.

Where the Challenges Come From

Each preliminary challenge is developed with an Indiana company around a real business problem or industry scenario.

Challenge Sponsors work with the planning team to shape a focused competition prompt, then provide judges to evaluate the results and company representatives to mentor and interact with students during the event.

For employers, that creates a rare opportunity to watch students solve a problem in real time. Companies can see how participants communicate, collaborate, manage their time and present a recommendation, while also gaining fresh perspectives on a relevant business challenge.

It can also create an earlier connection with potential interns and employees, before many students have formally entered the job market.

Strengthening Indiana’s Tech Talent Ppipeline

Challenge Sponsors are integrated throughout the event. In addition to co-designing a challenge and providing judges, companies receive promotion through Ivy Tech and TechPoint, invitations for company representatives to attend, opportunities to connect with students and space to showcase their organization.

The broader value extends beyond a single day. Students gain experience applying their skills in a professional setting. Employers build relationships with emerging talent. Faculty and industry leaders gain a clearer view of how classroom learning connects to changing workforce needs.

Companies can also participate as mentors, judges, career fair recruiters or event sponsors.

Challenge Sponsorships are available for $10,000. Companies interested in developing a challenge should contact TechPoint’s engagement team at engagement@techpoint.org by August 15.

Student applications open September 7. The 2026 Ivy Tech IT Challenge will take place from 8 am to 5 pm Friday, November 20.

Interested in Sponsoring a Challenge?

Bring a real business problem to the 2026 Ivy Tech IT Challenge and put it in front of the state’s best emerging IT talent. Sponsorship deadline is August 15.