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Pitch CompetitionDirect fundingNo equityVerified

Nittany AI Challenge

Also known as: Nittany AI Challenge

Pennsylvania State University · University Park, PA

Annual multi-phase competition for Penn State students to develop AI/ML solutions to real-world problems. Housed in the College of IST under the Nittany AI Alliance. Multi-phase structure: Preparation Phase (Sep-Jan), Prototype Phase (40 teams, 15 advance with $300 each), MVP Phase, and Pitch Phase (10 finalists, top 5 win $29K total). 117 students from 12 colleges and 31 majors participated in 2026.

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Quick fit check

  • Offers direct funding
  • No equity required
  • Currently active
  • Verified by research

Key numbers

Funding range

$300 – $12,500

Grant

Equity

None

Application

Annual

Campus Wide

Last activity

2026-04-17

High confidence

Application and Timing

Kickoff September. Prototype submissions due late January. MVP submissions March. Pitch finals in April. 2026-2027 cycle prototype deadline January 25, 2027.

Participants

Current Penn State undergraduate and graduate students. No technical background required. 30-40% of participants from non-technical majors.

Funding and Equity

$4,500 in prototype phase ($300/team to top 15) + $29,000 in final awards across top 5 teams. ~$33.5K total. No equity taken.

Recent Activity

  • April 2026: Pitch finals with $29K awarded to 5 winning teams.
  • 2026: CrashAI won 1st place ($5,500), plus Cocoziello Award ($3,500) and OPP Award ($3,500).
  • Jan 2026: 15 prototype phase winners announced ($300 each).
  • 2025-2026: 117 students across 12 colleges participated.

Known startups and winners

Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.

See every startup

CrashAI

$12,500

prize won

Pennsylvania State University

1st placeCompetition winner

Healthcare billing AI venture. 2026 Nittany AI Challenge first-place winner ($12.5K total awards).

Historical winners (research notes)
  • 2026: CrashAI (1st, $5.5K + $3.5K + $3.5K = $12.5K total) — AI for healthcare billing errors.
  • Other 2026 winners listed on PSU news article.

Verification Gaps

  • Complete list of all 2026 winners and prize amounts.
  • Historical winner data (2022-2025).
Additional research notesShow

Evidence

  • Nittany AI Challenge official page with phases and timeline.[1]
  • April 2026 PSU news article on winners.[2]