DSU Students Earn Best Statistical Model Award at HackDavis

June 22, 2026

A team of Dakota State University students earned the Best Statistical Model award at 2026 HackDavis, one of the largest collegiate hackathons in California. The event brought together more than 900 students, creators, and innovators to develop technology solutions focused on social good.

The DSU team included Smaran Pokharel, Tenzing Gurung, and Sandesh Dhakal. The students were supported by Dr. Austin O'Brien, Associate Professor in The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences.

During the event, teams collaborated to design, build, and present innovative projects while competing against students from universities across the country. DSU's project, EveryCent, was a grocery price-forecasting web application that assisted low-income families in determining when to purchase essential grocery needs.

"The social impact was central to our motivation (for EveryCent)," said Pokharel. "Grocery retailers already use sophisticated price forecasting tools to optimize their inventory, but the families shopping at those stores - particularly the 40 million Americans on SNAP benefits - have no access to that same intelligence. EveryCent aims to close that gap by putting forecasting power directly in the hands of those who need it most, helping them stretch every dollar further."

EveryCent earned recognition for the strength and effectiveness of its statistical modeling approach, which utilized 25 years of USDA data and Google's Times FM 2.0 AI model, resulting in the Best Statistical Model category award.

"Winning the Best Statistical Model award reflects the talent, dedication, and technical expertise of these students," said O'Brien. "They represented Dakota State University exceptionally well and demonstrated the innovative problem-solving skills that are central to The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences."

HackDavis challenges participants to explore the intersection of technology and society by developing projects designed to create positive community impact. The event also provides opportunities for hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional networking.

"We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend and represent Dakota State University at such a large and inspiring event," said Pokharel. "The experience allowed us to learn from other innovative projects, showcase our skills, and gain meaningful experiences that will help us grow academically and professionally."

The award highlights DSU's commitment to providing students with opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in competitive, real-world environments while building the technical and collaborative skills needed to solve complex challenges.

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