​🚀 The Launchpad: Shape Your Idea

​Your journey into innovation starts here! ☄️

​Join The AI Collective Hampton Roads for The Launchpad, night one of The Next Frontier 2026, a community-driven space innovation hackathon presented by ECPI University, where science, technology, and creativity collide. The top team wins $1,000!

​Before you start building, learn how to turn your curiosity into a compelling project idea!

​During this interactive kickoff workshop, we'll explore:

• ​🚀 Pitching Your Idea: Learn how to identify a problem, develop a solution, and communicate your vision.

• ​🔭 Scientific Discovery: Explore research resources, publicly available datasets, and inspiration from space and Earth science.

• ​🤖 AI & Emerging Technologies: Discover tools that can help you research, prototype, and bring your ideas to life.

• ​🌎 Preparing for the Challenge: Understand what to expect during The Next Frontier and how to make the most of your hackathon experience.

​Whether you're a student, scientist, developer, designer, or simply curious about innovation, you belong at The Launchpad. No coding experience required!

​The full weekend:

• ​Fri, Nov 13, 6–8 PM: The Launchpad (this event) at ECPI

• ​Sat, Nov 14, 11 AM–2 PM: Mission Control, pitch day at ECPI. The $1,000 winner is announced!

• ​Sun, Nov 15: Virtual. Teams submit their NASA project.

​Please RSVP for Saturday too: https://luma.com/rcgp5z5x

​📅 Friday, November 13, 2026

​🕕 6:00–8:00 PM EST

​📍 ECPI University | 5555 Greenwich Rd, Virginia Beach, VA

​🌐 Event Website: https://aichr-nextfrontier.lovable.app/

​💬 Discord: Join Discord Server

​Come curious. Leave ready to launch. 🚀

​Bronze partners

​Our parent org

​The AI Collective is a global non-profit community uniting 150,000+ pioneers – founders, researchers, operators, and investors – exploring the frontier of AI in major tech hubs worldwide. Through events, workshops, and community-led research, we empower the AI ecosystem to collaboratively steer AI’s future toward trust, openness, and human flourishing.

​All attendees and organizers at events affiliated with The AI Collective agree to our privacy policy and are subject to our code of conduct. Additionally, by registering for this event, you agree to The AI Collective Hampton Roads chapter photo & video policy.