Fintech Hackathon opens opportunities

The first “BENEFIT Fintech Hackathon for Sustainability” in the MENA Region officially kicked off with 50 participants. The 4-week hackathon, hosted by Bahrain Fintech Bay in partnership with The Manama Hub of the Global Shapers Community, will be conducting workshops, providing mentors, and internship opportunities.

The month-long event will continue until Mid April with a targeted weekly programme focusing on educational workshops, mentorship, and team building sessions. The best innovative ideas will be judged by top industry professionals within the Fintech scene in Bahrain, and get exposure for their solutions.

The Hackathon started with a welcoming note from Abdulwahed AlJanahi, CEO of BENEFIT who introduced the BENEFIT FinTech Award including cash prizes, mentorship and internship opportunities with BENEFIT for the hackathon winners. “The hackathon will be a valuable opportunity for university students - it will allow them to understand the importance of these tools, and how to apply them for sustainable solutions.”

The event kicked off with its first programme - an introductory session on “Understanding of SDGs and the role tech can play in having a positive impact” while obtaining the participant’s perspective on Bahrain’s priorities.

Knowledge partners and industry experts from Ernst & Young MENA (EY), and the United Nations Bahrain provided mentorship and workshops for participants.

Design workshop Facilitators from the EY MENA Digital Financial Services team; Tariq Mattar and Bridget Ngcobo hosted a design thinking workshop and worked with students to explore Fintech ideas to build solutions that have a positive impact on global sustainable development goals.