Indiana college students studying technology are invited to apply for the 2026 Ivy Tech IT Challenge, a statewide competition that gives students the opportunity to solve real employer challenges, demonstrate their skills and connect directly with technology professionals.

Hosted by the Ivy Tech Community College School of Information Technology in partnership with TechPoint, the competition will take place Friday, November 20, at the Indianapolis Marriott East.

Applications are open through November 2.

The IT Challenge is designed to give students something that can be difficult to gain in the classroom alone: experience applying their skills to an unfamiliar problem alongside a new team and presenting their work to industry professionals.

Students from Ivy Tech and four-year colleges and universities across Indiana are eligible to participate, from first-year students through graduate students.

“Students need opportunities to put what they’re learning into practice before they enter the workforce,” said Sally Reasoner, TechPoint’s VP of talent strategy. “Experiences like the IT Challenge give them a chance to solve real problems, work with new teammates and build confidence in the skills they’ll eventually bring to an employer.”

Sally Reasoner

“Students need opportunities to put what they’re learning into practice before they enter the workforce. Experiences like the IT Challenge give them a chance to solve real problems, work with new teammates and build confidence in the skills they’ll eventually bring to an employer.”

Sally Reasoner VP of Talent Strategy, TechPoint

What Students Can Expect

Applicants choose one of four competition tracks:

  • Software Development and Computer Science
  • Cybersecurity and Cloud Technologies
  • Data Analytics, AI and Informatics
  • IT Support and Network Infrastructure

Students also identify their strongest IT skills during the application process. Organizers use that information, along with experience level and institution, to create balanced teams made up of students from different colleges and backgrounds.

That cross-university format is intentional. Students may spend Challenge Day working alongside people they have never met before, mirroring the collaboration and problem-solving required in a professional technology environment.

Teams will spend the first part of the day solving an employer-developed challenge in their selected track. This year, challenge sponsors are helping create the problems students will tackle, giving participants the opportunity to work through scenarios informed by the needs and experiences of real technology teams.

Elanco is contributing the challenge for the Software Development and Computer Science track, Elevance Health is developing the Cybersecurity and Cloud Technologies challenge, and LRS IT Solutions is contributing the Data Analytics, AI and Informatics challenge through its partnership with IBM.

The winning team from each track will advance to an interdisciplinary championship challenge later that afternoon, presented by Google.

“Students are going to gain both valuable tech experience and experience practicing collaboration, communication and problem solving,” said Taylor Dooley, director of talent programs at TechPoint. “While tech skills are important, employers want to see that students can work in teams and exercise their critical thinking skills.”

Taylor Dooley

“Students are going to gain both valuable tech experience and experience practicing collaboration, communication and problem solving. While tech skills are important, employers want to see that students can work in teams and exercise their critical thinking skills.”

Taylor Dooley Director of Talent Programs, TechPoint

More Than a Competition

The value of the IT Challenge extends beyond which teams advance.

Students who do not move on to the championship round will have access to additional career programming, including:

  • A career fair
  • Four-year transfer guidance
  • Employer information sessions

Faculty, technology professionals and industry leaders will also participate throughout the day as mentors and judges, giving students opportunities to make connections and receive feedback from people working in the field.

Participation is free, and breakfast and lunch are provided to registered competitors.

Supported by Indiana Employers

The 2026 Ivy Tech IT Challenge is supported by challenge sponsors Elanco, Elevance Health and LRS IT Solutions, with LRS participating in partnership with IBM.

Beyond supporting the event, the sponsors are helping shape the competition itself by contributing challenges based on the types of problems technology professionals encounter in real organizations.

TechPoint and Ivy Tech thank this year’s challenge sponsors for investing in hands-on experiences that help Indiana students develop their skills and connect with future career opportunities.

Event Details

2026 Ivy Tech IT Challenge
Friday, November 20
8 am–5 pm
Indianapolis Marriott East
7202 E. 21st St.
Indianapolis, IN 46219

Applications close November 2. Teams will be announced November 6, and preparation materials will be sent beginning November 9.

Apply for the 2026 Ivy Tech IT Challenge →

Learn more about the Ivy Tech IT Challenge →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate?

Students studying technology at Ivy Tech Community College or a four-year college or university in Indiana can apply. Students from their first year through graduate study are eligible.

Do I have to be an Ivy Tech student?

No. The IT Challenge is open to eligible students attending colleges and universities across Indiana.

Does it cost anything to participate?

No. Participation is free, and complimentary breakfast and lunch are provided to registered competitors.

Do I need a lot of technical experience?

No. Teams are intentionally built with a mix of experience levels and skills. Students early in their studies are encouraged to apply alongside more experienced students.

How are teams created?

Applicants select a competition track and identify their top IT skills. Organizers use that information, along with students’ experience levels and schools, to create balanced, cross-university teams.

What do I need to apply?

Applicants should be prepared to provide information about their college and academic program, choose a competition track, identify their top IT skills and upload a one-page PDF resumé.

What happens if my team does not advance?

Students who do not advance to the championship challenge can participate in afternoon career programming, including the career fair, transfer guidance and employer information sessions.

Is travel support available?

Ivy Tech provides mileage and, when applicable, lodging support for participating Ivy Tech students. Limited assistance may also be available for students from other Indiana colleges facing extenuating circumstances.