2026 Hub City Innovation Cup (High School Edition)

The JMCSS Innovation Department is excited to partner with Centennial Bank, United Way of West TN, Union University’s McAfee School of Business, Greater Jackson Chamber, University of Memphis Lambuth, and Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson (TCAT) to host the annual Hub City Innovation Cup competition for Madison County high school students. The Innovation Cup is a two-day ideation/hackathon pitch competition where teams of 3-5 students work to solve a problem and pitch their solution to a panel of judges.

2026 Hub City Innovation Cup (High School Edition)

• Where: Union University – Ethos Forum yield2Yield Conference Room for the Kick-Off and Presentations; Ethos Forum building for team planning
• Who: Each Madison County high school may send one team of 3-5 students to compete.
• What: Win cash prizes and scholarships.
• Community Partners: Centennial Bank, United Way of West TN, Union University’s McAfee School of Business, Greater Jackson Chamber, University of Memphis Lambuth, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson (TCAT), and the Jackson-Madison County School System
• Event Itinerary, Flyer, and Other Important Information

Hub City Innovation Cup Objective: Using the theme, develop a concept/product/idea/service that makes life better in Jackson, TN. The theme will be announced on Friday at the event kickoff meeting. Teams will pitch a 7-minute solution to the theme and have a 3-minute Q&A period with the judges on Saturday. Teams may select how they wish to pitch their solution (example: slide deck, prototype, poster, etc.).