We’ve gathered all the important updates for the new season in one place. For returning Mentors, please familiarize yourself with the changes. For new Mentors, this is a good opportunity to learn more about how we improve our program year to year.
SUBMISSION UPDATES
From apps to digital solutions
This season, Technovation is expanding what teams can build. Submissions are no longer limited to apps: teams can create any working digital solution that solves a real problem in your community.
What counts as a digital solution? The solution must involve coding and/or AI to solve a real problem, be tested with real users, and have functional features. Here are some examples:
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A mobile app (still welcome!)
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A web app. Note that websites that are not interactive are not eligible
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A programmed robot, drone, or gadget
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A browser extension or plugin
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A chatbot or AI-powered assistant (e.g., on WhatsApp, Telegram, or a website)
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An SMS or voice-based tool
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A data dashboard
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An automated workflow or AI agent
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A Scratch project (Beginner division only)
Why the change? The best solutions don’t always look like apps. We want teams to pick the best tool for the job, not force every problem into the same format.
Submission Format
We’ve consolidated the submission requirements to streamline the process for students:
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4-minute video
Includes both pitch and technical elements.
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Written Section
Specific questions on the platform that combine the project description, learning journey, and user adoption plan (for junior division only)
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Code submission
Link or zip file upload.
Rubrics
View the updated rubrics here. Here are a few key changes:
Video
Senior teams’ video must include how they researched their problem as a system. What causes it? Who is affected? How do different factors connect?
We’ve removed the yes/no question about whether the team used GenAI. All teams must explain what tools they used, why they chose them, how they knew their features worked, and how they debugged what did not.
Teams must show two or more iterations of their solution, with specific examples of what improved.
Written
Teams now need to address two or more ethical considerations, such as data privacy, accessibility, algorithmic bias, or unintended consequences.
The Learning Journey now asks what you would do differently, how your understanding of the problem changed, and the most important thing you learned. We’ve increased the word count to 200 for Junior and Senior teams to reflect.
JUDGING & AWARDS UPDATES
Girls Track
Maintains a female-centred space for young women to grow their leadership.
Co-ed Track
Expands access for all youth and integrates into classroom settings.
How it works:
- The co-ed Track is optional; Local Programs choose which track(s) to run. Mentors can indicate on their platform profile which track they will engage with.
- All students register on the same platform to form teams and build their submission.
- All-girls are teams automatically funneled into the Girls Track. Mixed & boys teams are directed to the Mixed Track.
- Each track gets separate awards. Girls Track finalists are invited to the World Summit.
Awards
The award structure will change this year to more accurately match our pool of submissions (i.e. more prize spots for divisions with a higher number of submissions). For the 2027 season Girls Track, finalist awards will go to:
- 3 Beginner Division teams from any global location
- 5 Junior Division teams, 1/region
- 7 Senior Division teams, 1/region + 2 flex
The number of Mixed Track finalist numbers will be scaled to represent the number of Mixed Track submissions received – stay tuned!
Regional Honorees will remain the same, 1/region per division for each Track.
NOTE: Judges will be encouraged to give special weight and priority to teams who are solving local problems specific to their own community.
