Prizes

By default, prizes in each phase will be awarded to each team on a pro rata basis. Individuals will be responsible for financial implications of the prize, including tax liability and impact to financial aid.

Challenge Prizes by Phase

Prototype Phase

Based on the scores of a panel of independent judges, up to 15 teams will be awarded $300 each based on how they scored against the rubric. Prizes in this phase will be allocated to the team lead for further distribution to team members. Teams will be responsible for determining the method of prize allocation to individual members.

MVP Phase

Each team submitting an MVP by the specified deadline may be eligible to compete for a prize. Eligibility will depend on a technical review of the completed code and a live demonstration of the MVP functionality. Up to 10 eligible teams will be awarded $500 each based on how their MVP scores against the rubric.

As in the previous phase, prizes in this phase will be allocated to the team lead for further distribution to team members. Teams will be responsible for determining the method of prize allocation to individual members.

Pitch Contest

Based on the results of the MVP phase review, up to 10 teams will be selected to participate in the pitch contest. Each team will be provided the opportunity to pitch their MVPs to a panel of independent judges. Based on the judges’ scores, teams will be provided the following prizes:

First place: $5,500
Second place: $3,500
Third place: $2,500
Fourth and fifth place: $2,000 each team

Penn State’s Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) and Academic Advising is also providing prize money, up to $5,000 for the teams selected. The distribution of these funds will depend on the number of teams that develop MVPs focused on improving academic advising and the scoring of each team’s MVP. The number of teams awarded a prize and the actual dollar amounts is at the discretion of the judge(s) for this award.

Prizes for this phase will be equally distributed to individual team members on each team.

Grant Funding

Additionally, the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) has provided grant awards for three teams to continue working on their MVP. Each grant award will total $3,750. Teams selected by a PIT-UN representative for this grant award will be paid for their continued work at Nittany AI Alliance hourly rates until the funding is exhausted. Team’s selected can continue their work starting the summer of 2025 or postpone until the 2025 Fall Semester. All funds need to be used by the end of the grant period.

Invent Penn State Entrepreneurship Prize

The Entrepreneurship Prize is designed to inspire and empower Challenge participants to turn their AI-driven solutions into socially impactful ventures.

This prize emphasizes practical skills in entrepreneurship, encouraging students to think about how the technology is used to deliver meaningful, scalable solutions that address clearly defined market needs.

At the MVP phase, up to 5 teams will be awarded $200 each, based upon how their MVP scores against the evaluation criteria below.

Additionally, teams selected to enter the Pitch Contest will be eligible for additional prize money, based on the same criteria:

First place: $2,500
Second place: $1,500

This is separate prize money that can be awarded to any team selected to enter the Pitch Contest.

How well has the team conducted customer discovery to validate real-world needs?

2 points — The team has not engaged with potential customers, and no customer insights are provided.
4 points — The team has conducted minimal customer outreach and research, yielding limited insights.
6 points — The team has engaged with a few customers and conducted basic research, providing some insights into needs and preferences.
8 points — The team has conducted meaningful customer discovery and research, identifying customer needs effectively.
10 points — The team has conducted extensive customer discovery and research, resulting in deep insights that clearly drive the solution.

How well has the team defined a unique value proposition through market analysis?

2 points — There is no evidence that the solution provides a unique value compared to existing offerings.
4 points — The solution has some unique features, but they are not clearly differentiated from existing solutions.
6 points — The solution offers some differentiation, but it’s unclear if the value is substantial to customers.
8 points — The solution is well-differentiated with a clear and compelling value proposition.
10 points — The solution provides a highly unique value proposition that addresses a significant gap or problem in the market, supported by strong analysis.

How well has the team refined their MVP through iterative user testing?

2 points — No user testing or validation of the prototype/MVP has been conducted.
4 points — User testing is minimal and provides limited validation or feedback for the prototype/MVP.
6 points — Some user testing has been conducted, but the feedback is not fully integrated into the prototype/MVP.
8 points — User testing is thorough, and feedback has been used to improve the prototype/MVP.
10 points — Extensive user testing has been conducted, with detailed integration of user feedback, leading to significant improvements in the prototype/MVP.

How well has the team conducted customer discovery to validate real-world needs?

2 points — The team has not engaged with potential customers, and no customer insights are provided.
4 points — The team has conducted minimal customer outreach and research, yielding limited insights.
6 points — The team has engaged with a few customers and conducted basic research, providing some insights into needs and preferences.
8 points — The team has conducted meaningful customer discovery and research, identifying customer needs effectively.
10 points — The team has conducted extensive customer discovery and research, resulting in deep insights that clearly drive the solution.

How well has the team defined a unique value proposition through market analysis?

2 points — There is no evidence that the solution provides a unique value compared to existing offerings.
4 points — The solution has some unique features, but they are not clearly differentiated from existing solutions.
6 points — The solution offers some differentiation, but it’s unclear if the value is substantial to customers.
8 points — The solution is well-differentiated with a clear and compelling value proposition.
10 points — The solution provides a highly unique value proposition that addresses a significant gap or problem in the market, supported by strong analysis.

How well has the team refined their MVP through iterative user testing?

2 points — No user testing or validation of the prototype/MVP has been conducted.
4 points — User testing is minimal and provides limited validation or feedback for the prototype/MVP.
6 points — Some user testing has been conducted, but the feedback is not fully integrated into the prototype/MVP.
8 points — User testing is thorough, and feedback has been used to improve the prototype/MVP.
10 points — Extensive user testing has been conducted, with detailed integration of user feedback, leading to significant improvements in the prototype/MVP.

Here are some resources for you to check out:

Usability Testing Overview on LinkedIn Learning — This is a great overview of usability testing and what it entails.

Continued MVP Development

Additionally, teams may qualify for additional funding in support of continued MVP development. Continued MVP development would likely be done in cooperation with an organization that would benefit from the solution, e.g., a nonprofit. This project-based funding would be evaluated and awarded separately and will depend on the nonprofit’s interest in working with the team and the team’s availability. Details on additional funding opportunities will be shared as they become available.

Development  Costs

Teams are solely responsible for any costs associated with the development of their prototypes and MVPs. Levels of free access and/or credit to specific AI and hosting platforms are available to Challenge participants and should be sufficient for development work up through the MVP Phase. Any costs incurred in excess of the free access and/or credits during or after the completion of the Nittany AI Challenge are the sole responsibility of the participants or team of participants.

Prizes

Challenge Prizes by Phase

Prototype Phase

MVP Phase

Pitch Contest

Grant Funding

Invent Penn State Entrepreneurship Prize

Continued MVP Development

Development  Costs

Upcoming Events

Stay Informed

Prizes

Challenge Prizes by Phase

Prototype Phase

MVP Phase

Pitch Contest

Grant Funding

Invent Penn State Entrepreneurship Prize

What criteria will be used for evaluation?

How can you get general help and guidance?

How can you learn more about product validation?

What resources are available for competitive analysis and user testing?

Continued MVP Development

Development Costs

Upcoming Events

Stay Informed

Development  Costs