The Equity Hackathon, an innovation competition backed by Equity Bank and Microsoft came to a close after weeks of intensive engagement with 663 students from the University of Nairobi and Meru University of Science and Technology.
The Hackathon attracted an overwhelming number of students edging for a place among the 100 finalists. The virtual competition took place from February 17th to March 17th year and revealed immense talents and creativity among the university population
Addressing participants during the closing ceremony, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi acknowledged that the students had demonstrated a high level of “wealth of innovation and creativity.”
“We are in a world needy to find innovative solutions, it gives me great pleasure to see the Academia and industry partner to find solutions to real-life challenges. I appreciate the students from Meru University and the University of Nairobi who accepted to take part in the Equity Hackathon.” Said Mr. Mwangi.
Participants had to go through four stages during the Hackathon. The first phase involved instructor-led and self-paced training where participants were taken through Microsoft Azure suite and the Business Problem Statements. It is at the 2nd phase, where participants did actual coding with mentors from Equity and the two participating universities and finally grading and elimination.
Here are the winning teams
- The winner was team Rutela, from the University of Nairobi
- 1st runner up – team Jazia, from Meru University of Science and Technology
- 2nd runner up – Hubert Kimani, from the University of Nairobi
- 3rd runner up – Team Code Ninjas, from the University of Nairobi
The overall winners of the competition took a cash prize of Sh.600 000 while the 1st and 2nd Runners Up took home a cash prize of Shs 250,000 and Shs 150,000 respectively. The 3rd Runners Up won Shs 100,000 and a gift hamper for each team member.
Microsoft Kenya ADC Program Manager, Irene Githinji said, “We are indeed not surprised by the ideas we have seen these young students work on during the Hackathon. The spirit of innovation is ripe in Kenya and it is time for Kenyan corporates to start looking at local education institutions and technology hubs for the development of unique solutions for their business needs.”
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