What is the Datathon?
The 2026 Virginia Datathon is a free event hosted by the Office of Data Governance and Analytics (ODGA) that brings Virginians together to solve a real challenge using open data. During the week-long hybrid event, teams of Virginians will collaborate to solve a Commonwealth problem using public data.
What’s this year’s challenge?
This year, the theme is “Beyond the Numbers: Building an Affordable Virginia.” Teams will be asked to use public datasets to innovatively address one or more affordability factors in Virginia.
How to participate?
The event is open to Virginians. Teams should consist of two to six members.
Registration is open now-until September 30th and teams can sign up on the Virginia Datathon website.
Participants will be competing for PRIZES! Prizes are as follows:
- 1st place: $500 Amazon gift card per team member,
- 2nd place: $350 Amazon gift card per team member
- 3rd place: $150 Amazon gift card per team member.
Additional Datathon challenge details
Participation
- The Datathon takes place from Thursday, Oct. 8through Friday, Oct. 16. During the week, teams will be tasked with building their solutions. Teams will collaborate virtually during the week-long challenge, which culminates in a final, in-person event and presentation on Friday, Oct. 16.
- The virtual kick-off meeting on Oct. 8will be recorded. An optional session to speak with subject matter experts (SMEs) about affordability topics or data will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
- Participation during the final presentation portion of theevent on Friday, Oct. 16 is required. The final presentation portion of the event will be held from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM.
Location
The in-person portion of the event will take place at Brightpoint Community College in Chester, Virginia on Oct. 16. Parking at the venue is free.
Solution expectations
- Teams are asked to present their solution to judges at the concluding in-person event on Oct. 16in five minutes or less.
- Teams are also asked to provide a one-page write-up of their solution for the Datathon planning team by noon on Thursday, Oct. 15.
- Judges will only accept solutions built during this one-week period.
For more information, please visit the 2026 Virginia Datathon website.
If you have any questions, please contact the ODGA inbox.