Students Invited to Build, Compete, and Innovate at UA Little Rock AI Hackathon
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is calling on students from across Arkansas and surrounding states to take part in one of the region’s most exciting innovation events—the second annual AI Hackathon & HealthTech Startup Week, happening June 8–12 on campus. With the application deadline set for April 30, now is the time to apply and be part of it.
This isn’t a typical coding camp. The UA Little Rock AI Hackathon & HealthTech Startup Week is a five-day immersive experience where students ages 16–26 form interdisciplinary teams to tackle real-world healthcare challenges using cutting-edge AI tools, all with the guidance of expert mentors and the backing of industry giants like NVIDIA and Google.
Entrepreneurs, marketers, creatives and coders are all encouraged to apply, regardless of experience or background. Participants should be available for all five days, bring a laptop and agree to a media release. No coding experience is required—teams are intentionally formed to bring together a variety of skills and perspectives. Open to students from all disciplines, the program highlights how the most impactful ideas often emerge through collaboration across different backgrounds.
Participants will compete for a share of $20,000 in prizes by pitching their team’s AI-powered healthcare solution to a panel of judges at the end of the week. Beyond the cash prizes, participants can earn industry-recognized AI certifications in areas like coding and marketing, while also gaining access to mentorship from healthcare professionals, AI engineers, entrepreneurs and innovators—an opportunity often reserved for graduate students and working professionals.
This is an opportunity to build valuable real-world skills through hands-on experience with professional AI tools, collaborate with peers and industry experts, and strengthen both technical and communication abilities, all while forming lasting connections with fellow students, mentors and industry partners that can open doors long after the event ends.
“Last year, we had 40 participants and 40 volunteers,” Marla Johnson, UA Little Rock’s technology entrepreneur-in-residence, said. “This year, we raised enough to expand the AI Hackathon & HealthTech Startup Week to 150 students, including providing dorm rooms for those traveling from far and wide. It is a true labor of love of so many UA Little Rock faculty and staff. We’re pumped.”
With hands-on experience, expert mentorship, industry-backed tools and the chance to compete for $20,000 in prizes, UA Little Rock’s AI Hackathon & HealthTech Startup Week offers far more than a typical summer camp. This opportunity is a launchpad for students ready to turn ideas into real-world impact.
Coder, creative, entrepreneur or simply curious about innovation in healthcare, this five-day experience is designed to meet attendees where they are and push them further. Join a collaborative, high-energy environment where technology, teamwork and purpose come together by registering here.