Day 6: Women in FinTech Hackathon Participants Sharpen Pitching Skills
Written by Ntulume Nicholas on August 16, 2023
As the 2023 Women in FinTech Hackathon nears its culmination, Day 6 was marked by intensive learning and fine-tuning as the participants prepared to present their innovative solutions. Over the past week, more than 100 dedicated innovators have poured their talents into crafting impactful financial inclusion solutions, reflecting their commitment to transforming communities through technology.
With the finish line in sight, participants are intensifying their efforts, meticulously refining their solutions to be ready for final submissions on August 17th. Day 6 saw the teams diving deep into the world of application programming interfaces (APIs), a pivotal aspect of modern software development.
According to IBM, APIs serve as a bridge enabling seamless communication between different applications. They act as a conduit, processing data transfers between systems, and opening doors for collaboration between external third-party developers, business partners, and internal departments.
Paul Baker, the Principle Product Manager at INFITX, guided the teams through the intricacies of Mojaloop APIs. His session enlightened participants about the versatile ways to integrate the Mojaloop family of APIs into their solutions, fostering an environment of practical learning.
Preparations for the final submissions were fortified by an in-depth coaching session on pitching and presentation, led by Flavia Eleanor Kasenge, the Chief Operating Officer at EzeeMoney. Kasenge underscored that pitching is akin to presenting the best version of oneself or one’s business, encapsulating what one does, the journey so far, and the unique strengths that set them apart.
Pitching, she emphasized, encompasses various styles such as the Elevator Pitch, Investors Pitch, and Sales Pitch. Kasenge shared vital insights, encouraging participants to introduce themselves with confidence, replace fear with self-assuredness, and employ compelling narratives. She stressed the importance of a memorable conclusion, suggesting that sharing a personal story behind the product could leave a lasting impact.
The Hackathon’s continuous drive for excellence is part of the broader Women in FinTech initiative. Its success has been made possible by partnerships with Level One Project, Cyberplc Academy, Crosslake Technologies, INFITX, Ideation Corner, and Mojaloop Foundation, all supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
As the Hackathon’s grand finale approaches, anticipation is building for the Women in FinTech summit on August 18th, 2023. Here, the standout teams and individuals will be honoured, sharing a USD 10,000 collective prize. The winners will also gain automatic entry into the Women in FinTech Incubator program, set to run from September to December 2023.
The journey that commenced four years ago is poised to achieve remarkable milestones, showcasing the fusion of technology and innovation that can drive financial inclusion and empowerment for all.
