CV Labs in partnership with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Binance Africa, Polygon, and Geekulcha hosted a blockchain innovation bootcamp and hackathon. The three-day scheduled event took place at the University of Johannesburg.
It included live-streamed keynote addresses, panel discussions, and masterclasses from renowned industry experts from Binance, CV VC, Launch Africa, Polygon, QuidPro, and 3air all organized for blockchain and technology enthusiasts.
Nineteen qualifying teams were tasked with identifying and tackling real-world African problems using blockchain technology. Participants focused on creating new and viable solutions to increase the accessibility and inclusivity of healthcare, digital finance, fundraising, education, food sharing, and many other industries on the continent.
With blockchain technology as an enabler to improve socioeconomics, the UJ Innovation Hackathon encouraged participants to efficiently harness the potential of blockchain to elevate industries, income, and well-being.
Under the guidance of mentors and masterclasses given by speakers and panelists, which included ConsenSys, FTX, QuidPro, 3air, The Delta, Standard Bank, Launch Africa Ventures, CV VC, and many other pioneers, participants were exposed to the exciting world of blockchain technology.
“Hackchain” emerged as the winning team. The team consisted of first-year business information technology students who devised an innovation for the healthcare industry focusing on disease screening.
“Hackchain” received the grand prize of incubation consulting services to prepare the team to apply for CV Labs Africa’s three-month incubation program. Other prizes included graphic design resources, a grant application consulting to Polygon Village, and trading capital from Binance.
The hackathon is one of several initiatives that CV Labs Africa has started to cultivate and advance South Africa’s blockchain talent.
Gideon Greaves, Managing Director of CV VC Africa and CV Labs Africa, said, “CV Labs is committed to encouraging creativity and ambition to drive South Africa’s blockchain technological capabilities and thereby bring about a positive impact on the nation. The hackathon results are inspirational. Projects exceeded expectations regarding how the participants achieved consensus and stellar working concepts. The presented ideas and solutions illustrate what can be achieved by the continent.”
Ronny Mabokela, Head of the Technopreneurship Centre at the University of Johannesburg also emphasized,
“The Technopreneurship Centre is an ideation and innovation hub where industries’ most pressing unresolved challenges can be addressed, researched, and solved by our students. With support from exceptional academics in collaboration with industry partners such as CV Labs Africa, Geekulcha, and those who sponsored the blockchain innovation hackathon, over the three days, we have observed the enablement of our student’s entrepreneurial mindset and what amazing solutions they have innovated while embracing new-age technologies such as blockchain.”
Commenting more about the hackathon’s aim, Douglas Webster from Binance said, “Hackathons are an exchange of creativity, growth, and ingenuity between different skill sets. This was evident in abundance throughout the three days at UJ. We have witnessed many global hackathons, but this one was special to us as it proved that there is an abundance of deep commitment and determination to succeed unlike anywhere else right now.”