SHOOTING STARS FOUNDATION PRESENTS
IBM Z DATATHON
POWERED BY
OCT 17-18 2026 | $50K+ IN PRIZES | FREE OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
AI for Good
Turning Tech
into Impact
24
Hour
Datathon
45+
Countries
Worldwide
8
In-Person
Locations
16,0000+
Students
Registered
$50,000+
in
Prizes
IBM Z Datathon Overview
Join the IBM Z Datathon, where students go deeper on AI and data science skills to create innovative tech for good solutions—fast, collaborative, 
and guided by industry experts. For anyone and everyone - join virtually 
or at one of 8 university locations worldwide!

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Work on real-world challenges powered by IBM Z, the platform behind 
the world’s most critical industries for secure, scalable computing.

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High-energy interactive 24-hour Datathon, where teams collaborate 
to build, test, and pitch solutions in one exciting sprint.

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Hands-on problem solving, mentorship, and projects that help make 
the world a better place.

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Earn industry-recognized badges and build skills that will differentiate 
you in your career journey.
DATATHON THEMES
Real-Time AI for Critical Decisions
Detect. Decide. Respond.
Create AI systems that analyze streaming data, identify risk, and support high-stakes decisions as events unfold.
AI Secured: Innovation Without Exposure
Powerful AI. Protected Data.
Build privacy-preserving AI that can learn from sensitive datasets while protecting identity, trust, and compliance.
Wildcard: Beyond the Obvious
Your boldest AI + Data Idea.
Push boundaries with a novel data-driven AI solution that is responsible, technically ambitious, and wildly innovative.
SAVEETHA ENGINEERING COLLEGE, India
SHIVRAJ R
“Participating in the IBM Z Datathon 2025 as Team Big Iron was an incredible and rewarding experience. The competition gave us the opportunity to work on real-world challenges, strengthen our technical skills, and learn more deeply about IBM Z technologies and enterprise computing.”
DATATHON JOURNEY
Virtual Competition Categories for ALL Participating Teams
APAC
APAC Regional Champion
Top team affiliated with a university 
in Asia-Pacific region for AI innovation
EMEA
EMEA Regional Champion
Top team affiliated with a university in EMEA region for AI innovation
Americas
Americas Regional Champion
Top team affiliated with a university in Americas region for AI innovation
AI Innovation University Excellence Awards
Most Innovative AI University
University with the most creative
and impactful AI solution for Tech
for Good on IBM Z
Highest Participation Award
University with the most registered
teams actively submitting innovative AI solutions on IBM Z
Best IBM Z Advocacy
Top team affiliated with a university in Americas region for AI innovation
Team Recognition Program
Award-winning teams receive prestigious recognition to showcase their achievements.
Recognition Highlights
• IBM Z Day Feature: Teams showcased during the annual IBM Z Day global celebration
• IBM Z Online Community: Highlighted in the global IBM Z Online Community
• Social amplification: Ready-to-use content for team members' LinkedIn and social media
• Career Boost: Recognition that enhances your professional profile in AI and enterprise technology
Resources
IBM Z Xplore
Learn by doing with real-world challenges 
on IBM Z—earn digital badges and unlock pathways to mainframe careers.
IBM Z and LinuxONE Community
Connect with experts, explore insights, and collaborate with a global community building 
on IBM Z and LinuxONE.
Advocacy Hub
Showcase your expertise, build your personal brand, and get recognized as an IBM Z advocate.