WOMEN IN FINTECH HACKATHON
WHAT: Women in FinTech Hackathon
WHEN: 10 to 17 August(Hackathon, Hive Colab), 18 August ( Summit, Mestil Hotel)
WHERE: Hive Colab + Mestil Hotel
WHO: The best and brightest women and their allies in the FinTech ecosystem.
A formidable group of thirty (30) teams, hailing from Uganda and Kenya, has been shortlisted for this year’s Women in FinTech Hackathon. This esteemed selection was carefully curated from a competitive pool of over 100 innovative submissions received over the past two months.
The distinguished shortlist of teams will now gather in the vibrant city of Kampala from August 10th to 17th, 2023. This announcement marks the exciting commencement of the team’s journey, aimed at transforming their pitched ideas into groundbreaking financial technology products and solutions. Their innovative focus spans a wide range of sectors, including but not limited to Payments, Savings & Loans, E-commerce, E-Health, Fundraising, AgriTech, E-Insurance, and Remittances.
As she announced the successful completion of the registration process, Charlotte Neeza, the FinTech Events Manager at HiPipo, highlighted the great surge in enthusiasm and a steadfast will to innovate as key factors contributing to the Hackathon’s growing popularity over the last three years. Recognizing this burgeoning interest, the decision was made to expand the 2023 edition’s scope to include thirty teams, a substantial 50% increase from the twenty teams that participated in the 2022 event.
“We are thrilled to introduce the participants of this year’s Women in FinTech Hackathon. The growth from 2021 to last year’s count of 20 teams was remarkable, and this year, we have broadened our horizon further with 30 teams selected from nearly 100 submissions. This consistent advancement is a testament to the trust and faith that young innovators place in this project. The triumphs of past contestants in areas such as mentorship, product design, development & go-to-market strategies, and seed capital acquisition continue to fuel inspiration among both returning and new participants,” explained Neeza with evident pride and belief.
She continued with eagerness, “For the fortunate 30 teams, this Hackathon is not merely a competition but a luminous platform to showcase your potential, revolutionize your lives, and make a lasting impact on your communities. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all teams that demonstrated their interest and initiative by submitting their innovative propositions. To those who haven’t made the shortlist, let this not deter your spirit or ambition. Continue to chase your dreams with determination, for there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel.”
Neeza emphatically disclosed that every team in this year’s competition is characterized by both women-driven leadership and a majority of women members, underscoring a commitment to empowering and spotlighting female innovators in the field.
“An inspiring 70 percent of the participants in this initiative are women, and I’m proud to affirm that every single team is guided by a female leader.”
Now in its impressive fourth consecutive year, this Hackathon stands as a vital component of HiPipo’s expansive Women in FinTech initiative. Beyond the competition, the initiative encompasses a comprehensive suite of programs including a thought-provoking Summit and a nurturing Incubator program, all aimed at fostering innovation and empowerment in the field of financial technology.
The Women in FinTech Initiative is a bold and strategic effort aimed at dismantling gender disparities within the financial technology industry. Through comprehensive empowerment, the initiative equips women with essential digital and financial inclusion skills, enabling them to innovate, thrive, and succeed. It’s more than personal growth; it’s a pathway for these women to prosper financially, foster development within their families, and contribute positively to the broader community, creating a ripple effect of change and advancement.
The fundamental mission of this initiative is to actively advocate for women’s financial inclusion by fostering their engagement in the creation, development, and deployment of financial technology products that are thoughtfully designed to serve not only women but society at large. The HiPipo Women in FinTech initiative stands as an extraordinary force, earnestly supporting and amplifying efforts to bridge the Gender Gap in Access to Technology. It’s a movement that resonates far beyond mere participation, extending into the realms of skill-building and the practical utilization of Digital Financial Services, thus reshaping the landscape of inclusion and empowerment.
From 2020 to 2022, the multifaceted Women in FinTech initiative – encompassing the Hackathon, Summit, and Incubator project – has drawn the engagement of over 4,000 participants and has directly imparted essential training to more than 300 women. Through rigorous and tailored mentorship, a significant number of these women have emerged as qualified Software Engineers and Computer Science specialists. Their achievements transcend the classroom, with some having conceived, engineered, and introduced Financial Technology products that are actively reshaping their communities. Others have garnered seed capital from both the project itself and benevolent external contributors, propelling them further along the path to realizing their dreams. This is not merely an initiative; it’s a catalyst for change, innovation, and empowerment.
This remarkable success story is a manifestation of HiPipo’s insightful and relentless dedication to Women Empowerment and Inclusion, fortified by the steadfast commitment, collaborative synergy, and active engagement of its eminent partners: Level One Project, Mojaloop Foundation, INFITX, Cyberplc Academy, Ideation Corner, and Crosslake Technologies. Yet, it’s essential to recognize that all these groundbreaking achievements could have remained a mere aspiration without the magnanimous support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Their generous backing is the linchpin that transformed this visionary endeavor from a possibility into a thriving reality, creating a legacy of empowerment and innovation.
Grand Finale.
The 2023 Women in FinTech Hackathon will reach its zenith at the Women in FinTech Summit on 18th August 2023, a grand occasion where excellence will be celebrated.
The best-performing teams and standout individuals will be recognized and duly rewarded, sharing in the collective prize money of USD 10,000. But the rewards extend beyond mere financial gain; the victorious winners will automatically earn a coveted place in the Women in FinTech Incubator program, scheduled to run from September to December 2023. This is not merely a competition but a launchpad to greatness, offering not only recognition and financial rewards but a pathway to further innovation, growth, and success within the dynamic field of financial technology.
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*Note: Event is expired, Ticket booking is not available