Institute of Analytics Student Sprint Our Winners Announced!

Published: 22 May 2025

Students from universities around the world came together for our latest International Student Sprint, a collaborative data challenge designed to sharpen skills, inspire creativity and bridge the gap between education and career readiness.

The brief

We challenged the teams to create a digital or data-led product aimed at tackling a major global problem we face today and that might just help push back the doomsday clock. Once they had come up with the product, they then had to sell it to us using a shark-tank-style video pitch.

Working in teams and with minimal support from us other than a mid-sprint pitching workshop, the students developed some really innovative ideas including autonomous waste filtration systems and virtual reality learning experiences for those in areas of poverty. Each team submitted a five-minute video showcasing their ideas using whatever approach needed to convince us they had created a winning product. However, there’s more to the competition than simply finding a winner.

"The sprint isn’t just about ideas, it’s about the ability to convince people using both creativity and data-led conviction" explained IoA's Dr Clare Walsh, "It's designed to help students learn to persuade, collaborate and communicate clearly - all soft skills that are not only essential in the workplace but that industry leaders consistently highlight as gaps in graduate employability."

More Than a Competition - A Career Catalyst

The sprint is just part of the IoA's commitment to support its educational partners; structured, international competitions help students move beyond their coursework and apply what they've learned in dynamic, business-focused settings.

The emphasis of the sprint is on career-critical competencies such as:

Communicating complex ideas with clarity and confidence
Making presentations with credibility and creativity
Collaborating in diverse teams
Applying data and digital thinking for societal good

"In a tough graduate market, this kind of experience helps students demonstrate initiative, teamwork and a go-getter mindset which are traits that employers consistently say they value," continued Dr Walsh.

"It's not just about completing a degree. It's about showing what you can do with it and having participated in a competition like this is a brilliant opportunity for students to showcase their skills to future employers."

And the winner is ..

The judging team faced a difficult decision having watched all 10 video pitches - the standard across the board was impressively high with just a few points separating the top four teams. However, in the end it was Saint Joseph's University's XAE-A12 team who the judges felt stood out with their waste management system.

Hydrosort is an automated waste filtration system presented with exceptional quality, standing out for its depth, visual design and clarity. The team demonstrated strong use of data and digital integration, supported by a detailed 3D prototype. Highlighting inefficiencies in waste management in areas local to them, Team XAE-A12 strongly demonstrated a clear market need for their new product.

What was it like taking part? Hear from the students

Highly Commended Teams:

Team Softwarica - Softwarica College of IT & E-commerce
Team Softwarica’s Learnscape VR learning platform and management system impressed with its clean, professional pitch - particularly the editing, use of B-roll and research backed script. The project showed strong digital thinking with effective visualisation and thoughtful design for both educators and learners. The concept was delivered with clarity and had a clear eye on future educational impact.
The team are currently in their final year, pursuing a BSc (Hons) in Computing at Softwarica College of IT and E-Commerce, which operates in collaboration with Coventry University, UK

Team Digital Catalysts - Saint Joseph’s University
Team Digital Catalysts delivered a strong, well-structured pitch for Carbon Vault, showcasing a highly feasible environmental solution with clear social impact. The inclusion of all team members on screen and the use of gamification through a companion added originality and engagement to the concept.
The team are currently in their first year, moving into their second, pursuing a Bachelor in Commerce with specialisation in Analytics.

Team Future Leaders - Aston University
Future Leaders’ ‘Edventures’ pitch stood out for its creative concept - using games to teach complex topics in an engaging, visual way. Strong slide design and a dynamic dual presentation format added to its appeal.
It was a tough call,” added Rohan Whitehead, the IoA’s Education Specialist. “The top four teams all brought something different but the winning pitch stood out for its clarity, confidence and the strength of its storytelling. It was a bold idea and the team made us believe in it and that’s what makes a winning presentation.”

Looking Ahead

The IoA Student Sprint represents a core element of the IoA’s offering to higher education partners worldwide, enabling students to build competitive, job-ready portfolios and demonstrate their all-important soft skills, while connecting with real-world business challenges.