VRIFY’s 2026 AI Student Challenge

Registration is now open until January 16, 2026. Get your team together and step into the future of mineral exploration with VRIFY’s 2026 AI Student Challenge.

Registration WIndow

January 5–16, 2026

Location

Virtual

Additional Details

Teams of up to three students

For students currently enrolled in a Canadian University geoscience program (undergrad, grad, and post-doc)

Register for the challenge and step into the future of mineral exploration. Open to students attending Canadian universities, sign up as an individual or with a team to work hands-on with real exploration data using DORA, part of VRIFY’s exploration intelligence software. Compete to identify high-potential targets, demonstrate your strategic exploration vision, and sharpen your technical skills while showcasing your talent to industry leaders.

KEY DATES

January 5–16: Registration
January 19: Challenge information sent to qualifying teams
February 4: Submissions due
February 5–10: Initial judging to determine shortlisted finalists
February 10: Shortlisted finalists announced and contacted
February 13: Live presentations and winner announced
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WHAT DOES THE CHALLENGE ENTAIL?

You will be given access to VRIFY’s DORA software and a set of real-world data.
You will recieve a welcome package with access to training materials, including articles and videos, once registration is complete.
You will be asked to:
- Use the DORA tool on the dataset to generate prospectivity maps and targets;
- Using your own technical knowledge, demonstrate your ability to apply geological context to the predictions;
- Design an exploration strategy to leverage the knowledge gained through this process;
- Submit a video presentation pitching your strategy and explaining your process.
Your final submission will include:
- A video showcasing your strategy and process — 3–5 minutes in length
- A 200–400 word written abstract to summarize your strategy

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE SUBMIT?

Three (3) teams will be shortlisted.
These teams will be asked to present via Zoom call in front of a panel of judges.
- The presentation will be 5–10 minutes in length, with additional time for discussion as well as questions & answers.
All shortlisted teams will be contacted via email and the first-place winner will be announced on the VRIFY LinkedIn.
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WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

You can enter as an individual, or as a team of up to three people. If you enter as a team (vs. as an individual) there will be one team leader — this role will be given to the first person entered in the registration form below. They will be responsible for coordinating across their team.
You must be a student currently enrolled in a Canadian university geoscience program (undergraduate, graduate, or post-doc are all accepted). Valid student ID or proof of enrolment is required.
You must sign a waiver and agree to the Terms & Conditions (below) to participate in the challenge.
Three teams will be shortlisted to pitch their targets and strategy via Zoom on February 13, 2026 (only teams available to present will be eligible to participate and win).

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS DURING THE CHALLENGE?

You can email studentchallenge@vrify.com. Please note: Emails will be responded to within two business days. Support will be limited to questions about the software; not about the data or the geological context.

We will be hosting office hours on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 (times to be announced) to support with questions about the tool alone. A link for these online office hours will be sent in the welcome package. These sessions are drop-in and are not mandatory.
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Below is an outline of the waiver and agreement each participating team member will need to sign in order to participate in the 2026 VRIFY AI Student Challenge. You will be sent the below waiver via DocuSign for signature once you have registered.
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Liability Waiver & Assumption of Risk

My participation in the VRIFY AI Student Challenge is voluntary.
I assume all risks associated with participation, including but not limited to technical failures, data loss, or challenges with platform access.
VRIFY Technology Inc. (“VRIFY”), its employees, affiliates, and sponsors are not liable for any injury, loss, or damages incurred during or as a result of the challenge. I undertake to hold and save harmless and agree to fully indemnify and defend VRIFY from and against any and all liability incurred, including from third parties, arising in respect of any claims as a result of, directly, indirectly, or in any way associated with my participation in the challenge.
I will not make any claim or commence or maintain any action or proceeding in respect of any matter in any way relating to my participation in the challenge against: (a) VRIFY; or (b) any person or corporation that might claim contribution or indemnity or seek declaratory relief against VRIFY in a third party proceeding under the provisions of any applicable law or otherwise without the consent of VRIFY.
The information I provided is true and accurate.

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Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

I understand that I may have access to proprietary or sensitive data related to VRIFY’s Dora platform and other assets, including information that, by its nature or by the nature of its disclosure, would reasonably be considered to be proprietary or confidential to VRIFY and including, without limitation, any technical data, unpublished know-how, techniques, records, formulae, processes, sketches, photographs, plans, drawings, specifications, samples, reports, manuals, documents, prototypes, hardware, software and other equipment, working materials, findings, inventions and ideas, whether patentable or not, whether they be trade secrets or not and whether they be in written, graphic, oral, electronic or any other form, that are now or hereafter owned, licensed or otherwise acquired by VRIFY (collectively, “Confidential Information”).
I agree not to share or distribute any Confidential Information to any third party, or to use any Confidential Information for any purpose outside of the challenge.
I will not retain or download any Confidential Information or proprietary data beyond the duration of the challenge, and access to any Confidential Information, proprietary data and Proprietary Property (as defined below) will be revoked post-event.
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Intellectual Property & Work Ownership

Any work, models, presentations or interpretations and any other tangible or intangible property I create or contribute to during the challenge, alone and/or jointly with others, belongs solely to VRIFY and I have no rights in any such property.
For greater certainty, all right, title and interest (including any intellectual property rights) in and to all tangible and intangible property (i) relating to actual or anticipated business and research and development of VRIFY, (ii) that is suggested by or results from work performed for or on behalf of VRIFY, or (iii) that results from the use of Confidential Information in any fields, which property includes software, hardware, know-how, designs, works, techniques, inventions, documentation and other material regardless of the form or media in or on which it is stored, some or all of which property may be protected by patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks, industrial designs or mask works or integrated circuit topography or any common law, civil law or statutory right anywhere in the world that I acquire, develop, conceive, generate or contribute to during the challenge, alone and/or jointly with others (collectively, “Proprietary Property”), are hereby assigned to VRIFY.
If, during and in the course of the challenge, I develop any Proprietary Property that is protected by copyright, I hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any “moral rights” I may have in such Proprietary Property in favour of VRIFY and its successors and assigns.
At the request and expense of VRIFY, both during and after the challenge, I will do all acts necessary and sign all documentation necessary in order to assign all right, title and interest in and to the Proprietary Property to VRIFY and to enable VRIFY to register patents, copyrights, trademarks, mask works, industrial designs and such other protections VRIFY deems advisable anywhere in the world. I irrevocably designate and appoint VRIFY and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and on my behalf and stead to execute and file any such instruments and papers and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the application for, prosecution, issuance, maintenance or transfer of patents, copyrights, trademarks, mask works, industrial designs and such other protections related to the Proprietary Property. This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall not be affected by my subsequent incapacity or death.
VRIFY may use my submissions, insights, or outputs for internal development, marketing, or training purposes.
I waive any claims to royalties or compensation beyond the prize structure outlined.
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Media & Publicity Release

I grant VRIFY permission to use my name, image, voice, and recorded participation in the challenge (collectively, “Media”) for marketing, promotional, and recruitment purposes.
This includes, but is not limited to, social media posts, press releases, and website features.
I waive any right to inspect or approve the Media (with or without names associated thereto), whether modified or not, that may be used now or in the future, whether that use is known to me or unknown. I agree that I will have no claim to interest, title, rights, royalties, compensation or other benefit, and no claim (including, without limitation, claims based upon invasion of privacy, defamation, or right of publicity) arising out of any use or any blurring, distortion, alteration, optical illusion, or use in composite form, whether or not intentional, of any of the Media.
I understand that I will not receive further notice or additional compensation for the use of my likeness or the Media in VRIFY’s promotional materials.
I acknowledge and agree that the Media shall be the sole property, in perpetuity, of VRIFY and, to the extent that I may have any moral rights in the Media, I hereby waive all such moral rights in favour of VRIFY. I confirm that I have not given anyone the exclusive right to use the Media.

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Prize Agreement & Tax Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that the cash prize is awarded as a competition prize and may be subject to tax obligations in accordance with applicable tax laws.
I am responsible for reporting and paying any applicable taxes on the prize amount.
VRIFY reserves the right to request proof of identity and eligibility before awarding the prize.
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Participation Eligibility

I confirm that I am currently enrolled as a student in a Canadian university in a Geology or Earth Sciences-related program.
I confirm that I am at least 18 years old, the legal age to participate in the challenge in accordance with Canadian law.
I understand that failure to meet these eligibility requirements may result in disqualification from the challenge and forfeiture of any prize winnings.

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Code of Conduct & Fair Play Agreement

I agree to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity during the challenge.
Any attempt at cheating, plagiarism, or misuse of AI tools will result in immediate disqualification.
I agree to be respectful towards VRIFY staff, other participants, and event attendees.
VRIFY reserves the right to disqualify any participant whom VRIFY determines has violated the rules.
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Judging & Dispute Resolution

The challenge will be judged based on predefined criteria, including accuracy, completeness, and methodology.
The judging panel’s decision is final and binding, with no appeals or disputes entertained.
Any disputes or concerns must be raised before the winners are announced.
VRIFY reserves the right to modify judging criteria if necessary and will communicate any changes promptly.

PRIZES

First place:

A trip to Toronto for the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Conference; this includes:
- Passes to PDAC for up to three students
- Accommodation for up to three students (not applicable if the winner[s] are based in the GTA)
- Airfare (or other appropriate transport alternative) for up to three students (not applicable if the winner[s] are based in the GTA)
Cash prize: CAD$5,000
- To be shared amongst the the members of the first-place team

Second place:

Cash prize: CAD$3,000
- To be shared amongst the the members of the second-place team

Third place:

Cash prize: CAD$2,000
- To be shared amongst the the members of the third-place team

Register Your Team

If you are an individual entering, only fill out the information for "Student 1". If you are a team of 2+ students, fill out details under "Student 2" and "Student 3" as required.

Please note: The student listed under "Student 1" will be the team leader and will receive all the communication as well as be responsible for sharing this information with their team.

Thank you! Your submission has been received.
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‍To complete your registration, please send an email to studentchallenge@vrify.com with:

Subject line: "VRIFY Student Challenge | Registration for [Team Name]"
Body: A link to student ID photos/scans for each team member (upload to Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar platform)

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