Charlotte Community TechDay 2026

Published on April 01, 2026

The City of Charlotte is excited to present Charlotte Community TechDay 2026 in partnership with Pathway Community Foundation. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 23, Johnson C. Smith University’s Innovation Center will become an interactive hub of discovery with demonstrations and workshops.

Not only can the community attend, but there is also the opportunity to sign up as an exhibitor. Anyone who has a technology to share can register to have it on display at Community TechDay. Priority is given to technologies focused on enhancing mobility, the movement of people and goods. Exhibitor registration is open through Thursday, April 9.

A key part of the day will be the HBCU Smart Cities Program, in which the city is happy to be a returning participant. Student teams representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities will present prototype solutions developed with the City of Charlotte and Henry County, Georgia, after three months of hands-on collaboration. Teams will compete live for $10,000 in prizes as they pitch ideas designed to solve real civic challenges.

“Charlotte is proud to host the HBCU Smart Cities Challenge in our growing city,” said Mayor Vi Lyles. “This partnership creates the opportunities to showcase some of our innovation work; connect with others; and expand our horizons, and we cannot wait to see it all come together on April 23.”

Charlotte’s partnership with Pathway Community Foundation reinforces its commitment to collaborative innovation. This is the second year that the Charlotte Department of Transportation is working with students through this program to develop new ideas to solve mobility challenges in the community.

Learn more about Community TechDay and register online.