Tuskegee University’s team earned first place and a $20,000 grand prize at the ninth annual National HBCU Battle of the Brains Competition, according to a March 18 announcement. The event took place from March 11 to March 15 in Austin, Texas.
The win highlights Tuskegee’s focus on academic excellence and preparing students for real-world challenges. The team developed SHOP.PY, a concept aimed at addressing how artificial intelligence-driven search engine discovery can mislead buyers and lower sales for brands that are not easily found online.
Dr. Mark A. Brown, president and CEO of Tuskegee University, said: “Tuskegee students are not merely students; they are problem-solvers shaped by design to confront the great challenges of our time. Their success reflects Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era—a powerful renewal of our founding purpose. Here, academic excellence is never pursued in isolation, but always in service of creating bold, transformational solutions that improve the human condition.” Brown continued: “By reinvesting their winnings to advance their project and by contributing to scholarships for fellow students, they demonstrate the true essence of the Tuskegee Way—a commitment to lift others as they rise. Indeed, we solve the world’s most complex problems.”
The competition brought together more than 25 teams from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) who worked on business and technology scenarios over a 24-hour period. Students were challenged to use critical thinking and creativity under pressure before presenting their proposals during a final pitch session judged by industry leaders.
Walter P. Cooper Sr., Director of Tuskegee’s Career Education and Leadership Development Center said: “A central tentpole of Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era is that our students are becoming workforce ready and equipped to make measurable impact earlier than graduation. The team’s experiences at the HBCU Battle of the Brain all served that purpose, providing valuable insights into industry trends, career pathways, and opportunities for internships and full-time employment.”
The winning team plans to split their prize money between further developing SHOP.PY—supporting work at the Career Education Leadership Development Center—and contributing toward scholarships at Tuskegee University.
