The NEXPLORE 2040 Horizons Challenge isn’t just a competition—it’s your chance to help build a path to 2040.
Hosted by xFoundry in collaboration with NASA, this nationwide challenge invites university teams to reimagine NASA’s goals and pitch compelling problem areas that have the potential to launch game-changing enterprises by 2027.
This is more than a pitch—it’s the start of a journey. Together, we’ll identify the pressing challenges shaping our world today, laying the groundwork for innovations that will fuel exploration by 2040 and beyond.
To be eligible for the Horizons Challenge, teams must meet the criteria outlined below, ensuring a diverse mix of skills and perspectives to tackle global challenges. Teams must meet the criteria outlined below:
At least two members, no more than seven
All members must be currently enrolled in a university or community college
If members are from both a university and community college, they must be in the same state
Members must be from at least two different TEAMS categories (Technology, Entrepreneurship, Arts & Athletics, Marketing, Science).
We harness cutting-edge technological tools to drive innovation. Our students have access to advanced AI resources, state-of-the-art hardware, and software toolkits that enable them to prototype and develop groundbreaking solutions.
By integrating technology into our approach, we empower students to tackle grand challenges with the most up-to-date tools available.
We cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset in our students, equipping them with the skills to turn ideas into impactful ventures.
Creativity and resiliency are essential for solving complex problems. We integrate arts to foster innovative thinking and leverage the mindset of athletes to build perseverance and teamwork.
Effective communication is crucial for any social impact initiative. Our marketing and creative services support students in developing compelling narratives for their projects.
By integrating scientific thinking across disciplines, we prepare students to develop robust, scalable solutions to grand challenges.
Submissions are evaluated across multiple metrics including quality, innovation, viability, and impact by experts from industry, NASA, and academia
Finalists will be invited to NEXPLORE to refine and pitch their topics live to the summit audience.
Your team's name and members—their majors, backgrounds, and what makes them tick—to highlight the unique mix of perspectives driving your project.
A comprehensive deep dive into your chosen challenge—what it is, why it matters, who it impacts, and how solving it could create game-changing impact on Earth and in space.
A visual, story-driven pitch deck that hooks us on why your challenge matters, shows the Earth-to-space impact, and highlights the breakthrough, market potential, and why your idea needs a multidisciplinary team.
A polished 5-minute video pitch that tells a compelling story—clearly explaining your challenge and why it should be addressed for Earth and space.
A written transcript of your video pitch to ensure accessibility and help judges follow along with your presentation.
A 2–3 minute team video that introduces who you are, highlights your collaboration and energy, and shares what drew you to defining this challenge.