As Atlanta prepares to welcome the world in 2026, students from across Georgia are already contributing ideas that reflect the city’s creativity, collaboration, and global momentum.
The Atlanta Innovation Cup, presented by Cisco, brought together more than 300 undergraduate and graduate students from colleges and universities across Georgia for a statewide competition focused on designing real-world solutions connected to Atlanta’s role as a FIFA World Cup host city. The challenge concluded at Avant South, where finalist teams presented their ideas during a live showcase and awards ceremony.
A Community-Centered Winning Idea
The top prize was awarded to Impact Collective, a cross-university team made up of students from Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. Their winning concept, Tera, is a community-centered travel app designed to connect visitors with verified local insiders for authentic Atlanta experiences.
Inspired by the anticipated influx of international visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the idea focused on strengthening connections between visitors and Atlanta’s neighborhoods, culture, and local businesses.
A Statewide Effort at Avant South
The Atlanta Innovation Cup grew out of Georgia Tech’s Ramblin’ Hacks hackathon and expanded into a statewide effort through partnerships across higher education, industry, and the community. Avant South served as the setting for the competition’s final round, reinforcing Atlanta’s role as a hub for innovation and emerging talent.
Led by Georgia Tech’s College of Computing, the challenge brought together partners including Cisco (presenting sponsor), U.S. Soccer, Deloitte, Showcase Atlanta, ACT House, the Atlanta College Entrepreneurs Syndicate (ACES), and Georgia Tech’s Office of Commercialization, with support from the City of Atlanta.
Andre Dickens joined students and partners at the event, underscoring the importance of collaboration, workforce development, and innovation as Atlanta prepares for its global moment.
Students applied from 10 institutions across the state: Clark Atlanta University, Clayton State University, Emory University, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State University, Middle Georgia State University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and the University of Georgia.
From 27 initial teams, the competition advanced to 12 semifinalists, with finalists representing Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Morehouse, Spelman, and UGA.
Designing for 2026 — and Beyond
Teams addressed challenges aligned with Atlanta’s World Cup readiness and long-term priorities, focusing on:
- Smart City Navigation
- Fan Experience
- Youth and Family Engagement
- Local Businesses
Participants received mentorship and workshops on design thinking, entrepreneurship, and pitching, helping teams refine ideas from concept to presentation.
In addition to a $7,500 grand prize, the winning team received ongoing mentorship and access to exclusive masterclasses. Additional awards recognized innovation in UX/UI design and a People’s Choice selection selected by attendees.
As Atlanta continues its countdown to 2026, the Atlanta Innovation Cup highlights how student creativity and statewide collaboration are helping shape a World Cup legacy designed to benefit the city long after the final match.
Reporting support and background information provided by Georgia Tech’s College of Computing.
