Computing Brings Partners Together for Statewide Innovation Cup
Students from 10 Georgia universities gathered for the Atlanta Innovation Cup at Avant South, a statewide student competition to design real-world solutions.
The winning team, Impact Collective, included students from Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. The team created Tera, a community-centered travel app inspired by the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Georgia Tech electrical engineering student Aimee Yu Ting Zheng presents with her team at the Atlanta Innovation Cup. Photos by Amanda Coker.
Aimee Yu Ting Zheng, a Georgia Tech electrical engineering student on the team, said the experience of working across universities and majors was eye-opening.
“The cross-disciplinary collaboration brought fresh perspectives and creative problem-solving to our project,” Zheng said.
“I learned a lot from their ways of thinking and how they present ideas. That diversity helped us pressure-test assumptions, uncover true pain points, and improve our solution along the journey.”
Building a Statewide Innovation Ecosystem
The idea for the Innovation Cup grew out of the College of Computing’s first Ramblin’ Hacks hackathon, the same year U.S. Soccer became a College partner. After that success, Corporate Relations Manager Alyshia Lenoir and her colleagues saw potential for something broader: a statewide event open to students across Georgia.
To make it possible, Lenoir collaborated with corporate and community partners, including:
- U.S. Soccer
- Deloitte
- Showcase Atlanta
- Atlanta Mayor’s Office (led by Tech alumnus Donnie Beamer)
- ACT House (Architect, Creative, Techie)
- Atlanta College Entrepreneurs Syndicate (ACES)
- Tech’s Office of Commercialization
“We wanted students from multiple disciplines across the state to take part in a challenge,” Lenoir said. “Teams represented backgrounds ranging from computer science, economics, and marketing to design, English, and even archaeology.”
Working closely with Michael Dixon and Kayli Harlan from Tech’s Office of Commercialization, as well as Olga Kotlyar, Assistant Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the InVenture Prize, the team built a competition framework that blended creative and technical skill-building. Participants attended workshops on design thinking, entrepreneurship, and pitching before progressing to the competition rounds.
Collaboration That Mirrors Atlanta’s Momentum
ACT House, a local innovation hub known for supporting startups, managed the application process and team building to ensure diverse, balanced groups. More than 300 students from universities across Georgia applied, representing Clark Atlanta University, Emory University, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and UGA.
After several rounds, the challenge narrowed from 27 initial teams to 12 semifinalists. Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Morehouse, Spelman, and UGA represented in the final round.
Each team tackled one of four themed pillars:
- Smart City Navigation
- Fan Experience
- Youth and Family Engagement
- Local Businesses
Every team received a mentor from one of 27 professionals from organizations such as Microsoft, US Soccer Federation, Startup Atlanta, Georgia Tech CREATE-X, and Morehouse Startup Studio, who guided students from concept to pitch.
Turning Ideas into Impact
The winning team won a $7,500 prize, mentorship from experts, and exclusive masterclasses valued at $10,000. Additional awards recognized innovation in UX/UI design, and a people’s choice favorite selected by the audience.
Zheng and her teammates’ project, Tera, links travelers with verified local insiders for authentic city experiences. The idea was inspired by this year’s theme related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We imagined the experience of visitors coming to Atlanta and wanted to build a platform that creates real community connections,” Zheng said.
She said that competing in the Innovation Cup was just as memorable as winning, describing the atmosphere as “energetic and inspiring” and “a celebration of creativity and collaboration.”
Zheng added that the workshops and mentorship were among the most valuable parts of the challenge, teaching her “how crucial communication and teamwork are when building something from scratch.”
What’s Next
For Lenoir, the challenge highlighted the power of collaboration across Georgia.
“It showed how much potential there is when we bring together talent from across the state,” she said.
Zheng and her team are already thinking about how to continue developing their project.
“Our team is staying in touch and planning to keep developing Tera,” she said. “The mentorship and prize give us a great chance to take the next step.”
The success of this year’s challenge has set the stage for next year, as organizers plan to expand opportunities for students, industry partners, and community collaborators.
More information about Avant South and how to get involved can be found here.
