TheNewsGuru

Tag: Hackathon

  • UI students win FG’s maiden hackathon

    UI students win FG’s maiden hackathon

    Students of University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, have emerged winner of the maiden hackathon organised by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

    The results of the hackathon were announced at the anniversary dinner and awards night of the NDPC in Abuja.

    The hackathon, which took place on Friday, was part of the activities to mark the National Data Privacy Week celebrated between Jan. 28 and Feb. 4.

    The hackathon is targeted at students with an aimed to finding indigenous solutions that can help in the implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).

    It was signed on June 12, 2023, by President Bola Tinubu, and the act established the powers of the commission to ensuring compliance of organisations, protection of citizens’ data to avoid breaches, among other concerns.

    The hackathon began on Jan. 8 with over 100 applications from tertiary institutions across the country.

    Three teams emerged, including Nile University students, Team Cognito, University of Abuja students, Team Liitee and UI students, Team Privalon.

    Each of the teams during the hackathon on Friday presented their pitches on how their solutions could address the need of NDPA implementation.

    Team Privalon presented a solution `ChainVote’, which was meant to address the challenges of identity management and discrepancies in the voting system.

    Team Privalon eventually won the hackathon with a prize award of N750,000, while Nile University students came second with N500,000 cash award and University of Abuja students emerged third with N250,000.

    Mr Halleluyah Oludele, Team Lead for Privalon, said they were motivated on working on the solution and were delighted at winning.

    Not undermining the efforts of other teams, Oludele commended the federal government initiative, noting that youths in the country are highly skilled and have the capacity to proffer ideas on national issues.

    He said their solution could be applied in any sector which could help in decentralising data for easy service delivery.

    The Nigeria Computer Society, ISACA Abuja Chapter and Innov8 Tech Hub Abuja collaborated with NDPC to host the hackathon.

    The students were offered free membership into ISACA, Abuja chapter, where they would receive mentorship on how to develop further their ideas.

  • NCC extends application deadline for hackathon

    NCC extends application deadline for hackathon

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has extended the deadline for submission of applications and entries into the 2023 Talent Hunt through Hackathon to Saturday, September 30, 2023.

    To this end, the deadline for application/entries into the contest, which opened on September 1, 2023, and initially closed today (September 22, 2023), has now been extended to close on the last day of September 2023.

    The approval of the extension window by the Commission is to give ample time for more prospective and viable startups to tidy up their solutions in the required format for submission as well as to enable more upcoming technology entrepreneurs to participate in the competition.

    The talent hunt is one of the means through which the Commission gives concrete expression to its Strategic Vision Plan 2023-2025, by encouraging the development of new technologies and indigenous content through cutting-edge research to stimulate sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria.

    Consequently, the Commission had invited the Tech Hubs, and Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs) in Nigeria to enroll their start-ups and their solutions in the third edition of the NCC Talent Hunt Research through a Hackathon with a focus on three (3) thematic areas such as Blockchain-enabled Data Protection Solutions for Enhancing Regulatory Compliance; Assistive Technology Solutions for the Elderly and People with Disabilities, and Technology Solutions for Renewable Energy in Rural Areas.

    The NCC Talent Hunt Research through Hackathon leverages Emerging Digital Technologies to facilitate the development of home-grown innovative solutions and local content development in the telecommunications sector while fostering economic growth and social advancement in Nigeria.

    The competition enables the translation of novel ideas into the development of hardware/software solutions that address industry and societal challenges. The best three solutions, one from each of the three areas listed above will receive grants of N10 million each for the development of the solutions.

    The Commission has set out eligibility criteria for those seeking to participate in the competition, which include that the Enterprise applying must provide a certificate of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Enterprise must not have previously received support from the Commission, the project should have clear relevance to one of the three thematic areas above, it must provide a clear problem statement, proposed solution, and roadmap to deployment.

    Other requirements include a proof of concept (which may also include technical feasibility of the idea with diagram, algorithm, existing models, or case studies; the solution must be novel with the applicant making a declarative statement on ownership of the intellectual property, the solution including prototype development shall be concluded within 6 months of receipt of the Grant and must propose a detailed commercialization plan of the prototype.

    The Entry Submission format indicated that the proposal must include ideation, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and solution, Current Sweat Equity Investment, Product-Market Fit status, Verifiable Go-to-Market status, Growth Feasibility Assurances, Maturity Model and Timeliness; and Exist time: Disaster Recovery, where applicable

    All applications should be made online and must follow the stipulated entry format and there is no financial cost to participating in the competition while full control and ownership of the intellectual property of the developed solutions remain with the Commission.

    The entries must be made by a Tech Hub/Innovation-Driven Enterprise that must show evidence of the relationship with the Start-up/solution being entered, a 4-page Executive summary of the project concept, a 3-5 minute video of the pilot project, names, age, contact details, passport photos and profile of all team members and the website (if available) as well as an E-mail address of the applicant.

    All interested and qualified enterprises should submit requested documents in a zip folder to https://ncc.gov.ng/talenthuntresearchhackathon2023 with the subject of the mail titled “Submission from <business name>” and the zipped file named after the business.

    The Commission therefore wishes to notify members of the public that the deadline for sublimation has now been extended to September 30, 2023, when the application and enjoin the startup ecosystem to note their participation.

  • Hackathon: NCC opens applications for 2023 Talent Hunt Research

    Hackathon: NCC opens applications for 2023 Talent Hunt Research

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has kicked off activities for the third edition of its Talent Hunt Research through Hackathon as part of giving expression to its Strategic Vision Plan 2023-2025.

    NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, who made this known in a statement on Monday, disclosed that this is to encourage the development of new technologies and indigenous content through cutting-edge research with the goal to stimulate sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria.

    “Therefore, the Commission has invited Tech Hubs, and Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs) in Nigeria to enrol their start-ups and their solutions in the Talent Hunt Research through a Hackathon organised by NCC. The Hackathon focuses on Blockchain-enabled Data Protection Solutions for Enhancing Regulatory Compliance; Assistive Technology Solutions for the Elderly and People with Disabilities; and Technology Solutions for Renewable Energy in Rural Areas,” the statement reads in part.

    TNG reports the NCC Talent Hunt Research Through Hackathon leverages Emerging Digital Technologies to facilitate the development of home-grown innovative solutions and local content development in the telecommunications sector while fostering economic growth and social advancement in Nigeria.

    The competition enables the translation of novel ideas into the development of hardware/software solutions that address industry and societal challenges. The best three solutions, one from each of the three areas listed above will receive grants of N10 million each for the development of the solutions.

    The Commission has set out eligibility criteria for those seeking to participate in the competition, which include that the Enterprise must provide a certificate of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Enterprise must not have previously received support from the Commission, the project should have clear relevance to one of the three thematic areas above, it must provide a clear problem statement, proposed solution, and roadmap to deployment.

    “Other requirements include a proof of concept (which may also include technical feasibility of the idea with diagram, algorithm, existing models, or case studies; the solution must be novel with the applicant making a declarative statement on ownership of the intellectual property, the solution including prototype development shall be concluded within 6 months of receipt of the Grant and must propose a detailed commercialization plan of the prototype.

    “The Entry Submission format indicated that the proposal must include ideation, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and solution, Current Sweat Equity Investment, Product-Market Fit status, Verifiable Go-to-Market status, Growth Feasibility Assurances, Maturity Model and Timeliness and existing time: Disaster Recovery, where applicable.

    “All applications should be made online and must follow the stipulated entry format and there is no financial cost to participating in the competition while full control and ownership of the intellectual property of the developed solutions remain with the Commission.

    “The entries must be made by a Tech Hub/Innovation-Driven Enterprise that must show evidence of the relationship with the Start-up/solution being entered, a 4-page Executive summary of the project concept, a 3-5 minute video of the pilot project, names, age, contact details, passport photos and profile of all team members and the website (if available) as well as an E-mail address of the applicant.

    “All interested and qualified enterprises should submit requested documents in a zip folder to https://ncc.gov.ng/talenthuntresearchhackathon2023 with the subject of the mail titled “Submission from <business name>” and the zipped file named after the business.

    “The Commission has run an advertorial on the Hackathon for 3 weeks and hereby requests those in the startups ecosystem to note that the application closes by Friday, 22nd September 2023,” the statement added.

  • NCC awards N20m grants to 4 innovative tech startups

    NCC awards N20m grants to 4 innovative tech startups

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has awarded N20 million grant to four deserving Nigerian tech startups for their novel digital solutions aimed at curbing insecurity and advancing Internet of Things (IoT) frontier in Nigeria.

    The Executive Vice-Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja in his remarks at the grand prize award ceremony for ‘Virtual NCC Internet of Things (IoT) Code Camp and Hackathon 2021’, held in the commission’s headquarters.

    Two startups, namely Clearflow system Hub and Aelaus Engineering teams/Hyech Electronics solutions, focused on IoT (Internet of Things) for kidnapping and banditry.

    The other two startups, Kalibotics and CyberNorth Tech, concentrated on assistive robotics for effective e-waste management.

    The beneficiaries of the second edition of the startups awards got N5 million grant each.

    Danbatta explained that the event was in line with the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan 2021-2025, and the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP).

    The executive vice chairman was represented by NCC’s Director of New Media and Information Security, Alhasan Haru.

    He said: “Today’s event aligns with the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) 2020, which underpins the need to promote local production, local services, local innovation and the use of local materials.

    “This is in line with the Mandate of the Presidential Executive Order 5 of 2017, on the Promotion of Nigerian Content in Contracts and Science, Engineering and Technology.

    “The Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan 2021-2025, which captures the need to encourage the development of new technologies and indigenous content, through cutting edge research, to stimulate sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria is demonstrated through this event.

    “In this year’s Hackathon, our goal is to challenge the creativity and harness the innovative prowess of our young digital driven population to develop Smart Solutions.

    “To leverage on emerging technologies in addressing the challenges of Banditry, Kidnapping and e-waste management.”

    Earlier, the NCC Commissioner, Technical Services, Mr Ubale Maska, noted that the event had demonstrated the critical role that the telecommunications sector play in addressing Nigeria’s social and environmental problems with innovative solutions.

    Maska, represented by the Head, Research and Development, NCC, Kelechi Nwokwo, reiterated the commission’s commitment towards continuously supporting innovations for nation building.

    He said that the aim was to develop innovative Internet Of Things (IOT) solutions for combating kidnapping and banditry, and for effective e-waste management in the country.

    “At the close of entry we had 54 proposals from 34 organisations but at the end of the two-stage assessment by the panel of judges, four top startups, two from each thematic areas of Hackathon were selected to pitch.

    “Four final winning digital solutions from indigenous startups,” he said.

    The Chairman of Panel of Judges, Dr Uche Uwaje, said all the entries were deserving winners.

    Responding, one of the winners, the CEO of Clearflow system Hub, Mr Francis Idachaba, said he would put the grant into judicious use and achieve the goal it was meant for.

    Representatives from Security Agencies, telecommunications operators, National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and other sister agencies lauded the initiatives.

    Recall that NCC organised the first edition of this event in 2020, during which winners went home with N9 million worth of prizes.

  • COVID-19 virtual hackathon: NCC set to award N9m research grants to winners

    COVID-19 virtual hackathon: NCC set to award N9m research grants to winners

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded arrangements to award research grants to the tune of N9 million to three deserving Nigerian startups with proposals for adaptable digital solutions for containing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

    The selection of the three companies followed a careful and painstaking evaluation of 282 entries in the NCC COVID-19 Virtual Hackathon from digital innovation Startups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by an evaluation committee set up by the Commission.

    The Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has since extended invitations to operators and other industry stakeholders to participate virtually in the Grant/Prize Award ceremony, which holds in the Conference Room of the Commission at 11:00 am prompt on Tuesday September 1, 2020.

    The health and economic crisis triggered by the novel COVID-19 Pandemic had challenged the global ICT community to search for digital solutions to address and contain the spread of the virus. Such solutions would allow citizens and businesses to rein in the virus and continue their activities with limited disruptions.

    As a response, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) instituted a programme to award research grants to support Startups and Digital SME’s with adaptable innovative digital solutions that could address present and future impacts of pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases in Nigeria.

    Under the programme, the Commission will award N9 Million research grants to three Nigerian startups with the most innovative digital solutions for containing pandemics and epidemics in the country in the thematic areas of health, community, productivity, economy and transportation. The highlights of the ceremony include pitching/demonstration of the top three solutions by the startups, announcement of the winners and presentation of research prizes.

    The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, will give a keynote address and present prizes to the top three startups with the most promising solutions.

    He will be supported by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande and the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Office, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta with other members of the Board of Commissioners of NCC in attendance.

  • RCCG open application for Kingdom Hackathon 2018

    The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has opened applications for a first of its kind hackathon initiative, known as Kingdom Hackathon.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the RCCG Kingdom Hackathon, first hackathon to be hosted by a religious organization, is an initiative of the Youth and Young Adults department of the church.
    The theme to be addressed by the teams admitted, throughout the continuous 72-hour duration of the competition is “Income /Wealth redistribution and poverty Eradication”.
    The hackathon aims to use technology to inspire and enable redistribution of wealth and greater generosity in the Christian community by utilizing the power of collaboration to solve the critical underlying cause of poverty.
    It also aims to engage and release the innovative forces within the technology sector with the intent to make a Christian impact on culture.
    “In the past, there have been several strategic support for transformative programs by churches, however we call for mobilisation for innovative ideas/ solutions against extreme poverty and challenge the systems that keep people poor,” a statement by the Church read.
    “Kingdom Hackathon is an initiative of RCCG Youth and Young Adults engaging and releasing the innovative forces within the Technology sector with the intent to make a Christian impact on culture.
    “This hackathon aims to ignite the Christian purpose of technologists and entrepreneurs to innovate culture shaping technologies that would reclaim our times for the Gospel.
    “An ongoing ecosystem where global issues are tackled from a Christian perspective. Join an incredible group of individuals who are applying their skills and experiences to advance common good and serve God’s Kingdom.
    “In collaboration with innovative nonprofits and churches, we’ll write code and proffer solution to help release the oppressed, teach God’s Word, heal the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and support the church and the body of Christ,” the state added.
    Teams will compete for prizes ranging over ₦1,700,000 in events that will hold from 1st to 3rd of November 2018.
     

  • PEBEC dangles N1.5m for IT solution to speed govt business

    The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) on Tuesday opened registration for the first edition of #PEBECHack, a series of Hackathons designed to solve problems at the intersection of government processes and regulations, and the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

    The Council after its monthly meeting at the State House agreed to bring together various teams to compete on developing a tool that will promote accountability, performance tracking and transparency among key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) crucial to the success of Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business, at the first #PEBECHack.

    “The competing teams would develop a service management solution that will allow citizens monitor, provide feedback, report, make complaints, and ‘blow-a-whistle’ about the quality of service received from key Federal Government Doing Business MDAs or at strategic locations such as airports, seaports and land borders,” the statement said.

    Up to N1.5 million in cash prizes will be won, with several other in-kind prizes also up for grabs.

    Interested #PEBECHack participants can register as individuals or teams on www.ebes.gov.ng/pebec-hackathon between Tuesday May 23 and Tuesday June 6, 2017. The Hackathon itself will hold over two days on June 23 and 24, 2017 in Lagos.

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who is the PEBEC chair, had announced on May 1, 2017 at an event in Lagos that the PEBEC Secretariat would be bringing together techies in a Hackathon to develop a “solution for tracking reforms and getting public feedback… and enable the public to complain directly about government agencies that are making doing business difficult.”

    Similarly, the PEBEC Secretariat has finalized arrangements to conduct a survey in the coming days to gather feedback from the public on challenges related to producing, trading and transporting goods within Nigeria. The survey is focused on capturing feedback for key agencies – SON, NAFDAC, NOTAP, MITI Trademarks office, Police and Customs.

    #PEBECHack is held in partnership with L5 Lab, Venture Garden Group, Techplus and Microsoft. Media partners are Pulse, Ynaija and Starta.

    More information about the Hackathon can be found on www.ebes.gov.ng/pebec-hackathon or on Twitter: @EBESnigeria and Facebook: www.Facebook.com/EBESnigeria. The official hashtag is #PEBECHack. For enquiries, send email to info@ebes.gov.ng.