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Innovation Challenge 2026

Turn Your Idea into an AI-Powered Solution

IDEA → AI → SMART SOLUTION

Have an idea that could solve a real-world problem?

The CodeBridge Labs Innovation Challenge 2026 invites young innovators, students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts to transform meaningful ideas into practical, AI-powered solutions.

Whether your idea focuses on business, education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, tourism, the environment, or community development, this is your opportunity to research the problem, design an innovative solution, and demonstrate how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can create real impact.

Registration deadline: 5 September 2026

REGISTER NOW

One-time registration is required. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to proceed to the proposal stage.

Who Can Participate?

You can participate as:

  • An individual; or
  • A team of up to five members.

Applicants must have completed G.C.E. Advanced Level and should be interested in innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, or solving real-world problems.

You do not need to be an advanced programmer to participate. Creativity, problem-solving ability, domain knowledge, AI literacy, research skills, and the effective use of modern digital tools are equally important.

Challenge Areas

Develop an innovative AI-powered solution addressing one of the following areas:

  • Innovative Business and Digital Solutions
  • Climate and Environment
  • Health and Well-being
  • Transportation and Smart Mobility
  • Agriculture
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Education and Learning
  • Smart Cities and Communities
  • Finance and Entrepreneurship
  • Social Impact and Community Development
  • Government and Public Services

Have an idea outside these categories? Additional real-world challenge areas may also be considered if the proposed solution demonstrates meaningful innovation and impact.

Technologies You Can Explore

Participants are encouraged to use modern technologies and AI tools to research, design, prototype, develop, and communicate their solutions.

Potential technologies include:

  • Generative AI
  • Large Language Models
  • Machine Learning
  • Computer Vision
  • Data Analytics
  • AI Assistants and Agents
  • Cloud Technologies
  • APIs and Databases
  • No-Code and Low-Code Tools

The technology should support the solution—not replace clear thinking. Your proposal should explain why the selected technology is suitable for the problem you want to solve.

Win an Industrial Training Scholarship

Top-performing participants will receive scholarships toward the CodeBridge Labs Industrial Training Programme.

1st Prize

100% Industrial Training Scholarship

2nd Prize

75% Industrial Training Scholarship

3rd Prize

50% Industrial Training Scholarship

Important team note: For a team submission, one nominated team member will be eligible to receive the Industrial Training scholarship.

About the Industrial Training Programme

Build. Learn. Experience. Grow.

The CodeBridge Labs Industrial Training Programme provides a hands-on, industry-focused software engineering experience that helps participants move from academic learning to real-world product development.

Participants have the opportunity to:

  • Contribute to real software projects
  • Use AI-powered development tools
  • Follow modern engineering workflows
  • Collaborate within development teams
  • Receive guidance from experienced mentors
  • Develop practical software engineering skills
  • Build a portfolio of meaningful projects
  • Prepare for careers in software and AI

CodeBridge Labs operates as a product engineering environment—not a traditional classroom. Participants gain experience through practical work, collaboration, mentorship, and industry-level development processes. Learn more about CodeBridge Labs.

Your Challenge

Your mission is simple:

  1. Identify a real-world problem
    Find a meaningful problem affecting people, businesses, communities, or the environment.
  2. Develop an innovative idea
    Propose a creative, practical, and valuable approach to addressing the problem.
  3. Use AI and emerging technologies
    Explain how artificial intelligence or other modern technologies will improve your solution.
  4. Design a smart solution
    Demonstrate how your idea could be developed into a useful and sustainable product or service.

Your Idea. Your Innovation. Your Future.

How the Competition Works

Step 1 — Register with Short Proposal

Complete the online registration form as an individual or team before 5 September 2026.

Step 2 — Initial Review

The organizing team will review all registrations and initial ideas.

Step 3 — Shortlisting

Only shortlisted participants will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage.

Step 4 — Develop Your Detailed Proposal

Shortlisted participants will prepare a detailed proposal explaining the problem, solution, technology, expected impact, feasibility, and development plan.

Step 5 — Evaluation

An appointed judging panel will evaluate the submitted proposals and select the winning entries.

What Should the Proposal Include?

Shortlisted participants will receive complete proposal guidelines. The proposal is expected to cover:

  • Project title and team information
  • A brief overview of the idea
  • Problem identification and supporting evidence
  • Existing solutions and the innovation gap
  • The proposed AI-powered solution
  • Technology and implementation approach
  • Business or commercialization potential
  • Estimated costs and major risks

A completed product is not required at the initial registration stage. Participants should first communicate the problem and their proposed idea clearly.

👉 Click Here to REGISTER NOW (Application Form)

Judging

All proposals will be evaluated by an appointed panel of judges.

The panel will consider the relevance of the problem, originality of the idea, appropriate use of AI, potential impact, technical feasibility, scalability, sustainability, and the overall quality of the proposal.

The final decision of the judging panel will be final.

Questions or Assistance?

Contact Ms. Kalpani for registration or competition-related inquiries.

Organized by CodeBridge Labs
546/1 2/1, High Level Road, Wijerama, Nugegoda 10250

👉 Register for the Challenge