Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is now accepting entries in the Fairfax Area High School Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge. Initial proposals are due Dec. 20, 2024.

Open to all students in Fairfax County, Fairfax City and the City of Falls Church, the 2024-25 Challenge invites youth to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, or caregivers.

The winning students will be recognized with cash awards provided by sponsor IntegrityOne Partners. Winners will also be recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a May 2025 reception.  

In the challenge, students make a pitch for funding to corporate leaders, community leaders and County supervisors. The winning pitch for the 2023-24 school year came from Fairfax High School students, who created “ScamCops,” an app that uses artificial intelligence to offer scam awareness and real-time scam alerts.

The competition is an initiative of the Fairfax 50+ Community Action Plan, which was passed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2014. It supports Fairfax County’s Economic Success Program that seeks to grow and diversify the economy through innovation, social equity and expansion of science, technology, engineering and math education.

Now in its ninth year, the program was previously managed by the Department of Family Services. Fairfax County's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services will manage the challenge moving forward in order to better align with County resources.

“NCS’ mission is to ensure that all members of our community have the opportunity to thrive” said NCS Director Lloyd Tucker. “We’re excited to engage our youth to develop innovative solutions and meaningful connections between generations here in Fairfax County.”

Key Dates:

• December 20, 2024 - Deadline for initial proposals
• February 24, 2025 - Deadline for full submissions
• May 2025 – Board of Supervisors reception for challenge winners

Please visit the Shark Tank Tech Challenge website for more details, including a detailed application packet. For additional assistance, email NCSTechChallenge@fairfaxcounty.gov.