Divergent CUP

Student-Led. Adult-Supported. Future-Ready.
DIVERGENT NATIONAL CUP

From Regional Ideas to National Impact

Divergent National Cup II

New York City
July 15–16, 2027

The National Cup brings together student innovators from regional Divergent Hackathons for an experience designed to connect young problem-solvers with:

Mentors
Entrepreneurs
Technology professionals
Educators
Judges
Investors
Industry leaders
College and career opportunities

The goal is not simply to determine a winner.

The goal is to help promising student ideas move forward.
Problem
→
Idea
→
Prototype
→
Pilot
→
Venture / Community Impact
NATIONAL CUP I — SUCCESS STORY

2026 Divergent National Cup

Seattle | July 18–19, 2026

National Build Day

July 18

National Pitch Day

July 19

National Cup I Winners

🥇

Yard2Yum

National Champion

🥈

NEERA

Second Place

🥉

MOSAIC

Third Place

National Cup I Finalists

Explore the ideas, solutions and student teams that made it to the national stage.

CLARITY

Problem Student team identified a real-world problem.
Solution Student-designed solution to address the problem.
Prototype Prototype developed during the hackathon process.
Student Team Student innovators who developed the project.
Pitch National pitch presented to judges.
Next Steps Opportunities to continue developing the idea.

MedBRIDGE

Problem Student team identified a real-world problem.
Solution Student-designed solution to address the problem.
Prototype Prototype developed during the hackathon process.
Student Team Student innovators who developed the project.
Pitch National pitch presented to judges.
Next Steps Opportunities to continue developing the idea.

Foresight

Problem Student team identified a real-world problem.
Solution Student-designed solution to address the problem.
Prototype Prototype developed during the hackathon process.
Student Team Student innovators who developed the project.
Pitch National pitch presented to judges.
Next Steps Opportunities to continue developing the idea.

Divergent National Cup II

New York City
July 15–16, 2027

The National Cup brings together student innovators from regional Divergent Hackathons for an experience designed to connect young problem-solvers with:

Mentors
Entrepreneurs
Technology professionals
Educators
Judges
Investors
Industry leaders
College and career opportunities

The goal is not simply to determine a winner.

The goal is to help promising student ideas move forward.
Problem
→
Idea
→
Prototype
→
Pilot
→
Venture / Community Impact

What People Are Saying

“

While the rest of the world was watching the World Cup today, I got to watch the USA national finals of the Divergent Hackathon at SURF Incubator. Divergent is a student-led nonprofit running hackathons for high schoolers (link in comments). These kids (all under 18) traveled from around the county to compete and they were so impressive!

From reinventing RAM utilization to the next generation of smart glasses for the blind/visually impaired, their ideas were so thoughtful, well researched and incredibly innovative. And their pitch skills were better than most seasoned executives - clear, concise, engaging.

The next generation of tech leader looks bright! So thrilling to see them in action IRL.

(I did take a peek at the game every now and again)

— Sally Revell
“

Great to see the turnout at our Divergent Teams National Cup in Seattle!

Every massive tech ecosystem started the exact same way: a room full of people who refused to accept the world as it currently is, deciding instead to build a better version of it.

Right now at SURF Incubator, that exact philosophy is playing out. Except the builders in the room aren’t seasoned startup veterans—they are high school students.

In partnership with Divergent Teams, we are hosting a high-stakes hackathon featuring over 20 teams of young innovators. Watching them build products reminds us of a core truth in the venture and startup world: raw talent and unbridled curiosity are the ultimate leading indicators of future disruption. Before the pitch decks, the cap tables, and the market-fit pivots, there is just pure, unfiltered execution.

If you are part of the tech community in the startup ecosystem, this is where the future is being forged.

And we have two ways for you to get involved right now:

⚖️ We need 1 or 2 more Judges (Tomorrow, Sunday): If you have an eye for innovation and want to help crown the winners of this intense competition, we have a couple of last-minute seats on our judging panel.

👀 Come to the Tabletop Booth Showcase (Sunday): Want to see what the next generation is capable of? Drop by SURF Incubator tomorrow to walk the floor, meet the teams, and see their projects firsthand.

Today, we are mentoring. Tomorrow, they compete.

If you want to judge or grab a spot to check out the showcase tomorrow, drop a comment below or send me a DM directly. Let’s back the next generation of builders together. Sign up for the tabletop showcase is in the comments!

— Chirantan Mavinahalli

CONNECT WITH US

Enhance your organization’s ethos and enhance productivity through tailored team-building programs that foster enduring, fulfilling, and sustainable achievements. We’re eager to learn about your goals, roll our sleeves, and design your program.

​

Phone:
347-742-5869

Email:
hello@divergentteambuilders.com