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2ND ANNUAL · NCU

C.H.I.P.S. Innovation Challenge 2026

Brought to you by the C.H.I.P.S. Club

Are you ready to build something that matters?

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INSERT COIN — REGISTRATION ENDS

Monday, April 13, 2026

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Player briefing

Welcome to the CHIPS Innovation Challenge

Brought to you by the C.H.I.P.S. Club

We're back !! And this time, we're turning it up.

The 2nd Annual CHIPS Hackathon is here, and we're going bigger, bolder, and better than ever before. This is your chance to step out of the lecture room and into the real world, to identify problems that matter, build solutions that work, and show the world what CIS student talent looks like at its best.

Whether you're a seasoned programmer, a passionate designer, or someone with a brilliant idea and the drive to see it through, there is a place for you here.

We've curated 5 thought-provoking prompts rooted in real challenges facing Jamaica and the world, designed to push your thinking and inspire your best work. Not feeling the prompts? No problem. Our Open Innovation category is your blank canvas! Bring your own problem, build your own vision, and make it happen.

The clock is ticking. Your team is waiting. The stage is set. Are you ready to build something that matters?

World map

Important Dates

Mark your calendar ! here's what to expect.

  1. Registration opens

    Teams can sign up and start planning.

  2. Registration closes

    Final deadline to register your team.

  3. Hackathon presentation

    Show the judges what you built.

Loot table

What will you win?

Prizes include but are not limited to:

Cash & Physical Prizes

Cash and/or physical prizes — more details coming soon.

Certificates & Bragging Rights

Would look really good on a resume…

Project Showcase

Your project featured on the upcoming CHIPS website.

Select your quest

Hackathon Categories

Each prompt is rooted in real challenges. Flip a card on hover (desktop) or tap to expand (touch).

Open Innovation

Your blank canvas — any problem you care about, clearly defined and solved.

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Full prompt

The best solutions often arise from personal experiences with overlooked problems. This category gives teams complete freedom in domain, technology, and scope to tackle issues they care about. The challenge is to clearly define the problem, explain why it matters, and deliver a thoughtful, creative, and well-executed working solution.

Government Identity & Verification

Unify how citizens prove who they are across agencies.

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Full prompt

The Jamaican governmental agencies have, over time, demonstrated a deficiency in departmental synergy, especially regarding identity and verification. For example, oftentimes, citizens are required to prove their identity to multiple government agencies using similar or identical methodologies. Create a solution to overcome these deficiencies, negate the repetitive nature of the current system and promote increased security and privacy.

Vendor Marketplace

One trusted place for Jamaican sellers and buyers — local and diaspora.

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Full prompt

Jamaica has a thriving community of small businesses and artisans, but no unified digital marketplace to connect them with local buyers or the global diaspora. Current options are scattered across social media and informal channels, limiting visibility and trust. Design and build a centralized online platform where Jamaican vendors can list, manage, and sell products, offering customers a secure, seamless, and culturally authentic shopping experience.

Emergency Management

Real-time coordination when disasters and crises hit.

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Full prompt

When disasters or emergencies strike, whether hurricanes, floods, or medical crises, coordination between emergency services, government agencies, and the public is often fragmented and slow. Create a unified emergency management platform that enables real-time incident reporting by citizens, resource tracking by responders, and dissemination of verified alerts and instructions across parishes.

Youth Skills & Gig Economy

Connect skilled young people with real work — built for Jamaica.

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Full prompt

A significant portion of Jamaica's youth population possesses marketable skills like graphic design, coding, carpentry, tutoring, and more; but lacks access to formal employment pipelines or professional networks. Design a platform tailored to the Jamaican context that connects skilled young people with individuals and businesses seeking short-term or freelance work, with built-in reputation, payment, and skills verification features.

Cultural Heritage Archive

Preserve and share Jamaica's stories for the world.

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Full prompt

Jamaica's rich cultural heritage, including music history, oral traditions, folk stories, and historical landmarks, is at risk of being lost as older generations pass on and physical records deteriorate. Build an interactive, community-driven digital archive that allows Jamaicans to contribute, curate, and explore cultural content, ensuring this heritage remains accessible to future generations and the diaspora worldwide.

Score attack

Judging Criteria

All submissions are evaluated across five categories, each worth a maximum of 20 points, for a total score of 100 points.

  • 1. Innovation & Creativity

    20 pts

    Does the solution approach the problem in a fresh or unexpected way? Judges will assess how original the concept is, whether the team has gone beyond obvious or generic solutions, and the degree to which the product offers something meaningfully different from what already exists.

  • 2. Technical Execution

    20 pts

    How well is the solution built? Judges will evaluate the quality, complexity, and functionality of the code or system architecture, the appropriate use of technologies, and whether the final product works as demonstrated. Partial but stable implementations will be valued over ambitious but broken ones.

  • 3. Impact & Relevance

    20 pts

    How well does the solution address the problem it was built for? Judges will consider the real-world applicability of the product, its potential reach and benefit to Jamaican society, and whether the team demonstrates a clear understanding of the problem they set out to solve.

  • 4. Design & User Experience

    20 pts

    Is the product intuitive, accessible, and pleasant to use? Judges will assess the quality of the user interface, the clarity of the user journey, and whether the solution could realistically be used by its intended audience with little to no instruction.

  • 5. Presentation & Demonstration

    20 pts

    How effectively does the team communicate their work? Judges will evaluate the clarity and confidence of the pitch, the team's ability to explain technical decisions to a non-technical audience, and the quality of the live demonstration. Teams should be prepared to answer questions from the panel.

Final stage

Ready to compete?

Registration link opens soon — reserve your spot when the form goes live.

Register for the Hackathon

Google Form link will be added here by the organisers.