Triumphant Conclusion: 2023 Women in FinTech Hackathon Wraps Up, Awaits Grand Winners
Written by Ntulume Nicholas on August 17, 2023
In an exhilarating climax, the curtains draw on the 2023 Women in FinTech Hackathon, leaving a trail of innovation, determination, and transforming ideas. As the sun sets on this transformative journey, anticipation takes centre stage, with the winners set to be unveiled on the grand stage of the Women in FinTech Summit.
Day by day, the hackathon unfolded as a dynamic tapestry of visionaries and creators, all passionately committed to leveraging financial technology for empowerment. With the week-long journey reaching its zenith, the teams stepped up to present their final creations — the much-anticipated Minimum Viable Products (MVPs).
The spotlight shone on the agile minds behind over 30 teams as they succinctly encapsulated their innovations in power-packed 10-minute presentations. The Hackathon Jury, a panel of six astute judges, attentively witnessed this parade of ingenuity. Their discerning eyes were attuned to multiple dimensions, from innovation and business value to feasibility, potential impact, and integration with the Mojaloop Open Source Software.
The beating heart of the hackathon, the Level One Project Principles — an embodiment of inclusivity, real-time payments, tiered KYC, and transaction irrevocability — were meticulously adhered to by the participants. This allegiance further reinforced the event’s mission to transform fintech landscapes, underlining how technology can spark financial inclusion.
Cleopatra Kanyunyuzi, the visionary Hackathon Lead Facilitator and CEO of Club Tangaza, encapsulated the essence of this event. She highlighted the holistic journey that participants undertook, from formulating problem statements and business cases to designing solutions, prototyping, and MVP dry runs.
This holistic approach wasn’t just about technology; it was about fostering collaboration, innovation, and skill growth while embracing diversity and inclusivity. The success of this hackathon stood as an affirmation that women-led teams can shatter barriers and drive transformation in the fintech sector.
But the learning didn’t halt with the presentations. Stella Lugalambi, the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Hamwe East Africa, extended her wisdom, sharing insights on overcoming challenges and building resilience. She urged the young trailblazers to formalize their fintech solutions through registration and even regulatory licensing.
As the hackathon dust settles, all eyes are now fixed on the forthcoming Women in FinTech Summit. This is where the crowning moment will arrive, and the overall winners will emerge, stepping into the spotlight to receive their share of the USD 10,000 collective prize money. The anticipation is palpable as teams look forward to this climactic celebration of their journey, taking place on Friday, 18th August, at the prestigious Mestil Hotel, Kampala.
In addition to the prize money, the winning teams will gain a golden ticket to the Women in FinTech Incubator program, an opportunity to refine their innovations further. The past week has been a whirlwind of creativity, sweat, and dedication. The submissions have been made, the MVPs have been showcased, and the future of fintech has been shaped in this crucible of innovation.
Every participant stands as a victor, having made their mark in the journey towards financial inclusivity. As the winners prepare to embrace their accolades, the ripple effect of this hackathon promises to continue, amplifying the transformative power of technology and the indomitable spirit of women in fintech.
The Women in FinTech Hackathon, Summit, and Incubator Program are proudly driven by HiPipo, in conjunction with Level One Project, Cyberplc Academy, Crosslake Technologies, INFITX, Ideation Corner, and the Mojaloop Foundation, with valued support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
