Nabilah Safira
TechInPacific – The biennially held Hackhaton Challenge Hack4Change 2020 has rounded up winners that presented their idea based on UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the theme ‘Be the problem solver’.
PNG Digital ICT Cluster hosted the event on 24-27 July at Port Moresby. A total of 6 teams with four members each registered for the challenge.
In the first place is Kumul Dream Chasers (KDC), followed by IT Newbies (IN) in second place and Ryll Innovations (RI) in third place. Both the first and second winning teams focus on SDG2: Zero Hunger – an online platform for the Agriculture sector while the third team developed their idea based on SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production – an online platform for Waste Management.
For KDC, their idea is to connect the players in the agricultural industry, such as the farmers, customers, and suppliers through a direct approach of trade and exchanges.
from left to right:
Victor, Edward, Eddie, Latasha
For IN’s case, they focus on the wholesale and retail value chain connection to facilitate farmers with their volume produce.
from left to right:
Jehoram, Johnathan, Rhoda, Shannon
Meanwhile, RI executes a digital platform that calls for actionable climate solutions in the form of recycling as well as opening up job opportunities for people who want to work in the environmental sustainability industry.
from left to right: Ruma, Hudson, Alice, Gregory
“The hackathon event aims to bring also together young innovators, end-users, creative’s, investors, experts, policymakers, business, and ICT practitioners, researchers, educators, and thought leaders in different sectors to come together to participate in the development of the startup ecosystem for progression and investment in new ideas through problem-solving,” said Priscilla Kevin, the co-founder of PNG digital ICT cluster.
CEO of Agri-Tech Organics PNG Limited and co-founder of Invest In Me Christoper Vagalia congratulates the winning team, saying,
“Well done to all the teams. It has been an amazing 4-day sprint from Idea creation, hacking, business mentoring, technology, coding and software engineering, prototyping, sharpening, rehearsing, and to your final 5 minutes elevated live pitch in front of Judges on stage on your digital ICT solution to address an SDG. A fantastic experience for all and we are excited to see each one develop and grow for the next part of their journey.”
The event is sponsored by Platinum DatacoPNG, Kumul Consolidated Holdings, Gold – Digicel and CEFI, Silver – GIST, and Invest In Me and partners YWCA Youth Hub.
Key speakers for the official opening include Isikeli Taureka, Paul Komboi, Steven Matainaho, Saliya Ranasinghe, and Crystal Kewe.
PNG’s first crowdfunding platform Invest In Me is launching a campaign to support the team ideas. Follow the updates here.
