Overview
The IFCS 2026 Data Challenge invites teams of students and early-career researchers to work intensively on a real-world data problem within a one-day, time-constrained setting. More than a technical exercise, the challenge is designed to test participants’ analytical thinking, statistical expertise and business intuition under time pressure.
Teams will work with a large-scale dataset containing financial information from nearly 20,000 Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By applying statistical and machine learning techniques, participants will identify patterns and extract data-driven insights to better understand the Italian economic landscape.
Held on the opening day of IFCS 2026, the challenge offers a unique opportunity to engage with the international classification and data science community, showcase your skills before a panel of expert judges, and connect with leading academics and industry professionals.
What you will do
Participants will analyze a real-world dataset to uncover insights into the Italian economy using statistical and machine learning methods. Each team will present its findings and recommendations in a 5-minute pitch to a panel of expert judges.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Date | Monday, 13 July 2026 |
| Venue | U3-08 Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca |
| Registration | Free of charge |
| Teams | 2–4 members per team |
Programme
| Time | Activity |
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Opening session and presentation of the challenge |
| 09:30 – 15:30 | Challenge work session (lunch and coffee break included) |
| 15:30 – 17:30 | Team presentations (5 minutes per team) |
| 17:30 – 18:00 | Jury deliberation and evaluation |
| 18:30 | Award ceremony and closing |
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of academics and industry experts based on:
- Statistical modeling: rigour and appropriateness of methods
- Interpretation: quality and relevance of insights
- Communication: clarity, structure, and effectiveness of presentation
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. More details will be announced soon
Eligibility
- Teams of 2 to 4 MSc or PhD students (individual participation is not allowed)
- All team members must be under 30 years of age at the time of the event
- Background in statistics, data science, or machine learning is recommended
- Participation is free of charge; conference registration is not required
- Maximum of 20 teams. Early registration is recommended!
Practical Information
- Participants must bring their own laptops
- No specific software is required
- Internet access will be available (subject to confirmation)
- The challenge and presentations will be conducted in English
Registration
Registrations are now closed.
Collaborators and Sponsors
The challenge is supported by Fondazione Cariplo.
With the patronage of:
