Supporting Veterans at the VA Hackathon
Veteran Debt Assistance proudly participated in the Veterans Health Hackathon 2025, hosted in Tampa, Florida — an event that brings together innovators from across the country to develop technology solutions that directly improve the lives of veterans. The hackathon, organized as part of the VA’s Innovators Network ecosystem, is designed to foster collaboration between engineers, designers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and community partners who share a commitment to advancing veteran-centered care.
Held annually, the Veterans Health Hackathon challenges participants to build real-world tools that support the VA’s mission of delivering better, more accessible, and more personalized healthcare. The event offers teams access to VA problem statements, data resources, subject-matter experts, and hands-on mentorship, creating a highly focused environment for rapid innovation. Projects range from improving care coordination and digital health tools to addressing gaps in mental health support, patient experience, and accessibility — all with the goal of creating solutions capable of being further developed within the VA’s broader innovation pipeline.
The VDA engineering team traveled to Tampa to support the event as mentors. By working directly with participating teams, VDA engineers helped guide technical decision-making, refine prototypes, and strengthen implementation strategies. Their involvement reflects our organization’s commitment not only to financial wellness for veterans but also to contributing expertise that strengthens the ecosystem of veteran-focused innovation.
We were also joined by Angel Torres, President of Veteran Engagement Solutions and VDA collaborator. Torres noted that the hackathon showcased an exceptional level of passion and follow-through among participants: “From early-stage prototypes to powerful pitches, the energy at the conference was unmatched. A real commitment extends beyond capital investment.” The event highlighted how impactful solutions emerge when technologists and veteran-serving organizations come together with a shared purpose.
Participating in the VA Hackathon reinforces VDA’s belief that supporting veterans requires a multi-dimensional approach — one that involves financial guidance, technological innovation, and collaboration with organizations across the public and private sectors. We are proud to stand alongside the engineers, clinicians, and innovators working to improve the health and well-being of those who served, and we look forward to continuing our involvement in future VA innovation initiatives.
