Technovation 2026 at Progress

Progress opened its Burlington office doors on Saturday, May 9, 2026. But this wasn’t a typical weekend at the office. The space was buzzing with creativity and big ideas as nearly 50 young innovators from across Massachusetts gathered for the Technovation Girls Challenge, a global program that equips girls to become the next generation of tech leaders and entrepreneurs 

From the moment teams began presenting, it was clear this was more than a competition. Girls ages 8–18 took the stage with confidence, showcasing various app-based solutions designed to tackle real challenges, ranging from managing illnesses to supporting minority communities and improving student productivity. Each pitch blended technical skill with purpose, which reflected months of teamwork and learning. 

At the heart of it all is Technovation Girls. Over the course of the program (from October through May), participants work together to identify problems in their communities and build real solutions, gaining hands-on experience in coding, AI, business strategy and storytelling. 

That journey came to life in Burlington, where teams across beginner, junior and senior divisions presented not just what they built but also why it matters. Their ideas were thoughtful, their delivery impressive and their impact undeniably promising. 

After careful deliberation, the judges, including Progress Chief Human Resources Officer Amanda Arria and Chief AI Officer Ed Keisling, recognized the standout teams across each division. The teams were evaluated through both poster judging and live pitch presentations. Here’s a breakdown of this year’s results: 

Beginner Division (ages 8-12) 

• Semifinalist (Poster Judges): Team Pengus 

• Live Pitch Winners: 

• 1st place: Team Numble Jumble 

• 2nd place: Team Pengus 

• 3rd place: Team Pixel Pengus 

Junior Division (ages 13-15) 

• Semifinalist (Poster Judges): Team ActiveAid 

• Live Pitch Winners: 

• 1st place (tie): Teams ActiveAid and ALGS 

• 3rd place: Team Ibasho 

Senior Division (ages 16-18) 

• Live Pitch Winners: 

• 1st place: Team MirrorMovePD 

• 2nd place: Team Courage Studio 

For these teams, this is just the beginning. Many of the winners will go on to represent Massachusetts at the Technovation World Summit where they will take their ideas and their impact on the global stage. 

And for Progress, hosting the challenge was a powerful reminder: when you invest in education, mentorship and opportunity, the next generation doesn’t just show up; in fact, they lead with passion!