Applications Open — 2026 Season

Build AI That
Changes
The World.

A free, student-led AI competition for high schoolers aged 14–18. No experience needed — just ideas and the drive to make an impact.

Apply Now → Learn More
14–18
Age Range
Free
To Enter
3
Stages
Students collaborating
100%
Free to enter. No experience required.
✦ Student-Led
✦ Open Worldwide
✦ Mentor Network
✦ Ethics-First AI
✦ Sponsor Prizes
Students working on AI
3 Stages Idea → Build → Pitch
About the Challenge

Empowering the Next Generation of AI Builders.

The AIXelerate Challenge is a student-led AI competition for high schoolers ages 14–18. Participants build passion-driven projects that tackle real-world problems using artificial intelligence.

Beginner-friendly, completely free, and structured to guide you step-by-step — from a raw idea all the way to a live presentation in front of expert judges.

I.

Real-World Impact

Solve problems that matter to communities, not just classroom exercises.

II.

Completely Free

Zero fees, zero barriers. Just ideas and motivation to build.

III.

Ethics-First

Responsible AI thinking — bias, fairness, and real-world consequences.

Who Can Join

Open to Every Student.

No barriers. No prior experience. Just ambition and a problem worth solving.

🎓

High Schoolers

Ages 14–18 anywhere in the world

👤

Solo or Team

Enter individually or with friends

✨

Zero Experience

Complete beginners are welcome

🆓

Always Free

No registration fees, ever

The Experience

Where Ideas Come to Life.

Team presenting
Pitch Day
Student coding
Build Stage
Team collaboration
Collaboration
Mentorship session
Mentorship
Award ceremony
Recognition
Competition Structure

Three Stages. One Mission.

A clear, supported path from raw idea to polished AI solution.

01

Submit

Ideation Stage

  • Identify a real-world problem
  • Propose your AI-powered idea
  • Describe who it helps
Top 50% advance
02

Create

Build Stage

  • Build a pitch deck
  • Explain why AI is the right tool
  • Address bias & ethical risks
  • At least 1 real user feedback
Pitch deck required
03

Refine

Final Stage

  • 5-minute live presentation
  • Demo your working solution
  • 3–5 minute judge Q&A
Live pitch day
Key Dates

2026 Competition Timeline.

Mark your calendar — every milestone for the 2026 season.

01
February 20, 2026
Idea Submission Deadline
Submit your problem statement, AI idea, and who it helps. This is your Stage 1 entry — no building required yet, just your concept.
Now Open
02
March 25, 2026
Round 1 Results — Idea Review
Top 50% of idea submissions are selected and notified. Successful teams advance to the build stage and are matched with mentors.
Coming Soon
03
April 28, 2026
Round 2 Results — Short Pitch
Finalists from the short pitch round are announced. Teams present a concise pitch deck explaining their AI solution, use case, and early progress.
Upcoming
04
May 15, 2026
Final Pitch Due — Long Form
Submit your full final pitch — a polished 5-minute presentation with a working demo, ethical analysis, and user feedback evidence.
Upcoming
05
June 1, 2026
Final Results Announced
Winners, runners-up, and special award recipients are announced. All finalists receive certificates, feedback, and recognition across our community.
Upcoming
Judging Criteria

How You're Scored.

100 core points with bonus opportunities for outstanding work.

Problem & Impact

25 pts

Is the problem real and meaningful? Who benefits and does it actually matter?

AI Understanding & Use

25 pts

Is AI genuinely needed? Clearly explained without buzzwords?

Execution / Prototype

25 pts

Did you build something real? Does it work, even at a basic level?

Creativity & Feasibility

25 pts

Is the idea original and could it realistically scale?

Bonus Points

User feedback included+5
Public voting participation+5
Full Ethics Score+10
Ethics Score (+10 pts)

Demonstrates genuine awareness of bias risks, misuse potential, and responsible AI principles. Thinking about harm matters as much as building the product.

Get Involved

A Role for Everyone.

Competing, mentoring, judging, or sponsoring — we'd love to have you.

🧑‍💻

Students

Build AI projects, develop real skills, and compete with students from around the world.

Apply Now →
🧑‍🏫

Mentors

Guide the next generation of AI builders with your expertise and industry experience.

Become a Mentor →
⚖️

Judges

Evaluate projects and provide feedback that genuinely shapes students' futures.

Get in Touch →
🤝

Sponsors

Support student innovation and put your brand in front of the next generation of builders.

Partner With Us →
Awards & Recognition

What You Win.

More than trophies — real opportunities to grow, connect, and get recognized.

🧑‍🏫

Mentorship

One-on-one sessions with AI professionals and industry veterans.

📜

Certificates

Official recognition for every participant, finalist, and winner.

🏆

Sponsor Prizes

Exciting prizes from our sponsors — more details coming soon!

🌟

Featured Projects

Top projects showcased publicly across our community.

💼

Portfolio Boost

Stand out on college and internship applications.

🌐

Community Access

Join a global network of student AI builders and mentors.

FAQ

Common Questions.

Do I need coding experience to participate?+
No coding experience is required. The AIXelerate Challenge is designed for beginners. You'll learn as you go, and our resources guide you through understanding and applying AI without writing complex code.
Can I enter as a solo student?+
Absolutely! You can enter as an individual or as part of a team. There are no restrictions on team size for the first two stages.
Is there a registration fee?+
The AIXelerate Challenge is 100% free to enter. We believe financial barriers should never stop a great idea from getting into the world.
What kind of AI projects qualify?+
Any project that genuinely uses AI to solve a real-world problem qualifies — mental health, education, environment, accessibility, and more. AI must be a meaningful part of the solution, not just a buzzword.
How does the mentor program work?+
Mentors are matched with student teams in Stage 2 for guidance on AI implementation, pitch prep, and ethics. Sessions are virtual and schedule-flexible.
When is the competition?+
The 2025 season is open now. Sign up and we'll send you the full timeline and key dates directly to your inbox.
Get Started

Ready to Build Your AI Project?

Join students worldwide turning ideas into real AI-powered solutions. Free. Beginner-friendly. Your project could change lives.

Apply as a Student → Become a Mentor
Resources

Everything You Need to Succeed.

Guides, templates, and tools for students, mentors, and educators.

Students

Competition Rulebook

Everything about eligibility, submission requirements, and judging criteria.

Download PDF →
Students

Pitch Deck Template

A structured slide template aligned to the AIXelerate scoring rubric.

Get Template →
Students

AI Idea Workbook

Go from a vague problem to a clear, AI-driven solution step by step.

Download →
Students

Beginner's Guide to AI

Learn what AI actually is, how it works, and how to use it responsibly.

Read Guide →
Students

User Research Template

Collect Stage 2 user feedback — interview prompts and a feedback form.

Get Template →
Students

Ethics Checklist

Earn all 10 ethics bonus points — bias, misuse, and responsible AI.

Download →
Mentors

Mentor Handbook

Session structure, expectations, and best practices for mentors.

Read Handbook →
Mentors

Feedback Framework

A rubric-aligned template to give students structured, actionable guidance.

Download →
Mentors

Session Guide

Suggested agendas for your 1:1 or team sessions per competition stage.

View Guide →
General

Competition Timeline

Key dates for the 2025 season — stage deadlines and announcement dates.

View Timeline →
General

Press Kit

Logos, brand assets, and official descriptions for media and partners.

Download →
General

FAQ Document

Detailed answers to common questions from students, parents, and mentors.

Read FAQs →
Applications

Join AIXelerate 2026.

Whether you're competing or mentoring, we'd love to have you.