Participants in the inaugural Fiji Innovation Hub Hackathon were recognized for their exceptional contributions during a vibrant three-day event at the Reserve Bank of Fiji. The hackathon featured fifteen participants divided into three teams competing across three categories: Fintech, Ease of Doing Business, and Sustainability.
Each category yielded winners who walked away with a cash prize of $3,000, while second-place teams received $2,000, and those in third place were awarded complimentary prizes. The competitors demonstrated innovative business concepts aimed specifically at addressing the challenges and objectives within their categories.
The diverse backgrounds of the participants included established startups, current businesses, professionals from various fields, and members of the student community, illustrating the inclusive spirit of the event. Greg Andrews, the New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, noted that the ideas presented highlight the changing business landscape in Fiji and possess the potential to make a significant impact on the country’s economic future.
The hackathon enjoyed support from a range of organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the governments of New Zealand and Australia, Mastercard, the Reserve Bank of Fiji, and the Ministry of Finance. This collaboration emphasizes the crucial role of innovation in advancing Fiji’s development across multiple sectors. The event not only encouraged creativity and entrepreneurship among participants but also demonstrated Fiji’s dedication to adopting new ideas to overcome its economic challenges, showcasing a hopeful outlook for future growth and progress.