Skip to main content Skip to footer

Accenture Innovation Challenge

An opportunity for college students across the U.S. to help a nonprofit organization solve a business challenge. Applications for the 2024 challenge will open in the fall.

Our 2023 Partner: the Smithsonian Institution

Making a positive impact on society, gaining hands-on consulting experience, and networking with our leaders are just a few of the perks of the Accenture Innovation Challenge. This year, Accenture partnered with the Smithsonian Institution—the world's largest museum, education, and research establishment—to address one of their current challenges.

Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian has pursued a mission toward "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." With 21 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, an observatory, and numerous education and research programs, the Smithsonian Institution is a pillar to the enrichment of lives across the globe.

About the challenge

The Accenture Innovation Challenge (AIC) is a case competition that serves as one of Accenture’s signature recruiting channel across all our target campuses. Last year, more than 600 undergraduates applied to participate in the Innovation Challenge, representing over 60 campuses and diversity partner organizations.

Accenture partners with a new nonprofit partner each year to identify a real-world pressing issue, structure a case challenge, and facilitate a competition for student teams to present dynamic solutions to address the non-profit partner’s pressing issue.

Details about the three rounds of competition, qualifications for participation, and Challenge Rules are included below.

1

Round 1 – Successful applicants are assigned to a team of up to four students, are paired with an Accenture consultant coach, and given one week to prepare a solution to the case question. Three teams from each first round event advance to the semi-finals.

2

Round 2 – Teams refine their solution over 1 week and submit a revised, written presentation for Accenture judges to review. Four finalist teams are selected to advance.

3

Round 3 – In this final round event, four teams are invited to travel to present their solution live to a panel of judges comprised of Accenture and Smithsonian Institution Leadership. The winning team is offered a Summer 2023 internship and a cash prize!

The Accenture U.S. Innovation Challenge is open to legal United States residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico who are 18 years of age or older (19 for residents of AL and NE) at the time of entry and are enrolled full time in a four-year degree undergraduate program, authorized to work in the United States, and will receive an undergraduate Bachelors of Arts or Bachelors of Science upon graduation in December 2023 - September 2025 with an overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

 

Check out the Official Accenture Innovation Challenge Rules to learn more.

Congrats to our 2023 winners!

Student teams developed proposals to help the Smithsonian increase and expand engagement with rural communities. We’re pleased to announce that the undergraduate team of students—Austin Tran, Eva Moughan, Nico Motta, and Sean Bishop—from Rice University in Houston, Texas won the 2023 Accenture Innovation Challenge.

The winning team’s solution, “Rural Routes,” proposed a mobile bus exhibit to facilitate two-way learning and creativity. The proposed, inaugural route would visit six rural communities over 3-months; build connections with local institutions; prompt creativity, collecting interviews and art; and enable visitors to interact digitally with other communities’ creative contributions.

The “Rural Routes” tour would culminate at a Smithsonian Museum with an immersive VR exhibit allowing D.C. visitors to follow the bus’s journey and facilitate two-way knowledge dissemination and connection to rural America.

Doing well by doing good: example of impact

At Accenture, we believe it is our responsibility to address some of today's most pressing societal needs with innovation and technology at the forefront. Our past challenges with Covenant House and the Challenged Athletes Foundation are examples of the impact and connections built each year through the Accenture Innovation Challenge.

Accenture Innovation Challenge 2021 | Covenant House

View Transcript

Stay connected

Join Our Team

Express your interest by creating a profile and describing your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative and solution-driven team players.

START YOUR JOURNEY

Keep Up to Date

Stay ahead with careers tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today–all from the people who work here.

READ CAREERS BLOG

Follow Us

Join in on the conversation—connect with us on Instagram. Experience our people, work, careers, and impact of Accenture in the US.

FOLLOW ACCENTURE