AI for Small Business Hack-a-thon

Fall 2026

In collaboration with CAIB (Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business), OEE (Office of Executive Education), and SMSA (Smith Master Student Association).

Team Sign-Up Form View Flier

The Challenge*

Small businesses, such as mom & pop restaurants, coffee shops, A/C repair techs, and landscaping companies, can benefit from AI but struggle finding the right tools.

The Ask

Design and build a prototype of a platform that will help them discover, compare and adopt AI tools for their respective use cases.

The Deliverable

• Record 10 minute video showcasing your prototype, including how you approached building it and how you would tackle the challenge if given 16 weeks to complete it.
• Submit link to prototype that judges can access and test
• More details and judging criteria to be released on Nov. 5th.

*For intellectual property considerations, all students participating in the AISB Hack-a-thon acknowledge that all rights, title and interests in and to submissions to the Hack-a-thon, including any  deliverables, belong exclusively to the University of Maryland as a condition of participation.

Who Can Participate

• Undergraduate and graduate students across campus, representing all majors
• Max 2 to 3 people per team
• Each student may join only one team

Why Join

• Prizes totaling up to $25,000
• Nine teams selected for final, in-person presentations
• Minimum prize for all finalist teams is $1,500
• Awardees may be considered for paid student appointments (up to 10 hrs/week through Summer 2027) building AI tools for small businesses.
• Real-world experience you can talk about in interviews.

Key Dates

Date	Time	Event
Nov. 4 (Wed)	6 p.m.	Team sign-up deadline
Nov. 5 (Thu)	Noon	The Challenge details released
Nov. 5 (Thu)	6 p.m.	Q&A with Dr. Balaji Padmanabhan and Dr. Tej Anand
Nov. 6 to 8 (Fri–Sun)		Build weekend; video due Sun, Nov 8
Nov. 16 (Mon)	Noon	Finalists notified
Nov. 17 (Tues)	5 to 8 p.m.	Final presentations (in-person)

Questions? Contact Us

If you have any questions, you may contact us at smith-club-smsa@umd.edu.