Bringing African Tech Talent Together through the AI for Impact Hackathon

Q: How did you come up with the idea for the A2SV Hackathon last year? What was the impact you wanted to create with the hackathon?

Emre:

At A2SV | Africa to Silicon Valley , we understand that building a robust tech ecosystem goes beyond just developing talent; it's also about cultivating innovation and entrepreneurship. The A2SV Hackathon was born from our desire to spark ideas that could evolve into projects and eventually into viable products that are built by Africans, for Africans, in Africa. We recognize that there are millions of potential entrepreneurs across the continent, and we wanted to provide them with a platform to showcase their creativity.

Last year, our specific focus was on generative AI. When OpenAI introduced interfaces that allowed the public to interact with generative AI models, we realized a transformative potential. This technology has the capability to revolutionize every industry, and we wanted to harness this power to inspire and equip the next generation of African tech leaders. Our goal was to create an environment where participants could experiment with generative AI, develop innovative solutions, and bring their ideas to life.

Q: So, you saw the potential use of AI for Africa and wanted to enable African tech talent and projects through a hackathon, correct?

Emre:

Absolutely. The potential for groundbreaking AI projects in Africa is immense, even if the projects themselves aren't fully realized yet. I believed that by making an open call and incentivizing these projects with substantial cash awards, we could ignite a spark. By connecting participants with experienced advisors and mentors, we aimed to initiate those projects and help them grow.

This hackathon was about creating opportunities, nurturing innovation, and showcasing the incredible talent we have on the continent. It's all about igniting that initial spark and seeing where it can lead.

Q: Last year's hackathon was a big success. We covered 47 countries and had over 3,700 participants. Were you surprised by the number of teams and young students who applied for the A2SV Hackathon?

Emre:

I was genuinely surprised because it was our first time organizing the hackathon, and we didn't initially aim to make it the largest on the continent. We embrace humble beginnings, and thanks to our dedicated team's efforts, it turned out to be the largest hackathon in Africa. The response was overwhelming, with brilliant ideas coming from talented students who are passionate about making a positive change for the continent. Despite having a limited marketing budget, the enthusiasm and word-of-mouth among our participants really helped spread the word, leading to this incredible success.

Q: So, what was the overall reach of the A2SV 2023 Hackathon throughout the continent? What was the positive impact that the Hackathon brought last year?

Emre:

The A2SV 2023 Hackathon reached an impressive 47 countries across the continent, bringing together a diverse group of over 3,700 participants. This event was truly remarkable in uniting different parts of Africa, each with its unique cultures and perspectives. North Africa is distinct from the South, and the West differs from the East, yet we discovered that there are significant commonalities as well. One of the most eye-opening experiences was witnessing the shared passion and big hearts of people who want to create projects that positively impact society.

The hackathon highlighted the richness of African culture and demonstrated that when we come together and combine our strengths, we can achieve incredible things. This unity and collaboration not only fostered innovative solutions but also reinforced the potential of collective effort in driving positive change across the continent.

Q: So what happened to the winners of the 2023 A2SV Hackathon besides getting the cash awards?

Emre:

We provided extensive support to the Hackathon winners throughout the event, as our Hackathon is a true hack marathon, not just a two-day event. It spans three stages over three months, during which we support these projects with mentors, advisors, and industry experts. The cash rewards are substantial, especially for Africa, where a few thousand dollars can be the seed funding needed to start a business.

We are thrilled to see that some of the finalists and winning projects have continued their journeys beyond the hackathon. They have incorporated, secured additional funding, and are now making a real impact. It feels incredibly rewarding to be part of an organizing team that has sparked the fire of innovation. These projects are not discarded like typical school projects; they are thriving and evolving, which makes me particularly happy.

Q: Can you give us a little bit more information about the structure of the A2SV Hackathon? How long does it last? What's involved, how does it work?

Emre:

Our hackathon is a multi-stage project competition that starts with registrations. We begin with workshops because we know that participants may have great ideas but might lack the technical skills or tools to bring those ideas to life. These workshops cover how to use AI to solve problems, innovative idea generation, and the dynamics of the hackathon.

After the workshops, we move into the quarterfinals, similar to traditional hackathons but with a unique twist. Each project is paired with a mentor who has industry experience. This support helps participants overcome technical challenges and refine their projects. From the quarterfinals, we select the top 32 projects to advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, projects are assigned advisors who have expertise relevant to the project's domain. This stage lasts about two months and includes industry expert panels where projects receive direct feedback from leaders in their field. For example, last year, we connected healthcare AI projects with medical professionals and legal AI projects with an industry CEO.

The semifinals culminate in the selection of the top 8 projects, which are invited to Ethiopia for the grand finale, an all-expense-paid trip. In Ethiopia, participants enjoy two expo days to showcase their projects to the public, pitch their ideas, and gain valuable feedback. This leads up to the judgment day, where projects are evaluated by a distinguished jury.

The Grand Finale ends with an awards ceremony attended by ambassadors, ministers, and tech leaders. The following day, we connect projects with investors, providing opportunities for further funding and support. Finally, we celebrate with a team trip, engaging in physically challenging and entertaining activities to unwind and bond.

Q: Where do you get mentors and advisors? What was the outreach last year, and what was the feedback from the mentors and advisors?

Emre:

Last year, organizing the Hackathon for the first time was challenging as we lacked proof points to show potential mentors and advisors. We primarily leveraged our internal resources. Our mentors were A2SV developers and core team members working on socially impactful projects for African communities. Our advisors were A2SV alumni who had secured positions at prestigious companies like 谷歌 , 亚马逊 , LinkedIn , and 彭博资讯 .

This year, having a successful example to showcase, we expanded our outreach and connected with top professionals outside our immediate network. We received over 50 advisor registrations from top tech companies, including Meta , 谷歌 , TikTok , Salesforce , and LinkedIn . This broadened our support base beyond A2SV's inner circle, bringing in diverse industry expertise.

The feedback from last year's mentors and advisors was overwhelmingly positive. They appreciated the opportunity to guide and inspire the next generation of African tech talent. Many expressed admiration for the participants' enthusiasm and innovative ideas, and they were impressed by the hackathon's organization and the quality of the projects. This positive experience has encouraged even more industry experts to join us this year, enhancing the support and guidance available to our participants.

Q: Let's talk about the Hackathon 2024. What's different this year in terms of organization or prizes? What is the goal that you want to achieve this year with the Hackathon?

Emre:

This year, we've implemented several improvements based on lessons learned from last year. One major change is that we are securing visas and flight tickets much earlier to avoid the last-minute stress we experienced previously. Additionally, while last year's mentors and advisors were primarily A2SV alumni, this year we're connecting with industry experts from around the globe. We've received registrations from Europe, the United States, and various parts of Africa. This means that our hackathon will feature a diverse range of mentors and advisors, bringing global expertise to our African tech talent.

In terms of prizes, we're maintaining the $30K prize pool because it's highly attractive and has proven effective in helping our winners start their businesses. Our primary goal this year is to enhance the global connections and support for our participants, creating a more dynamic and enriching experience that goes beyond the African tech community.

This new level of international collaboration excites me because it introduces fresh perspectives and opportunities that we didn't have last year. By fostering these global connections, we aim to ignite innovation and drive impactful solutions that can make a real difference. The feedback from last year confirmed that our support and prize money were crucial in helping participants launch their projects, and we are eager to see even greater outcomes this year.

Q: What are the plans for the future?

Emre:

One of our primary objectives for the future is to build a strong community of founders among A2SV Hackathon participants. This community won't just include the winners, but all the talented entrepreneurs who participate. There's immense value in learning from each other, and we believe that uniting these innovators can lead to even greater achievements.

Another key goal is to enhance our post-hackathon support. After the 2023 Hackathon, we realized that we couldn't support the projects as much as we wanted to. This year, we're planning future stages that include ongoing support and resources for the projects beyond the hackathon. Our aim is to ensure that these initiatives reach their full potential and continue to grow and make an impact. By doing so, we hope to create a sustainable pipeline of innovation and entrepreneurship that drives positive change across Africa.

Q: Have you ever thought about a worldwide hackathon or do you plan on keeping it just in Africa?

Emre:

Yes, in the future, we would love to host a worldwide A2SV Hackathon. However, for this year and the next, our focus remains firmly on Africa. We believe that by concentrating our efforts here, we can make a more significant impact.

That said, expanding globally is certainly on our radar. Even in the most developed countries, there are communities where access to high-quality education and opportunities is limited. This is true in places like the United States, the UK, Germany, and beyond. At A2SV, our mission is to empower people from less fortunate backgrounds, and this need exists worldwide.

As we continue to strengthen our foundation in Africa, we envision a future where A2SV can extend its reach to other regions, creating a global network of support and innovation. Once we have a robust establishment in Africa, we look forward to making this vision a reality and bringing our hackathons to a global stage.

Q: What is your message to people about the hackathon and A2SV's other tech ecosystem building programs in Africa?

You can find more information and participate in the hackathon at hackathon.a2sv.org .

For 5 years, A2SV provided free, high-quality tech education, empowering over 800 African students.

• We contributed to the African tech ecosystem with 7 impactful projects addressing critical issues in healthcare, education, and community development, to name a few.
• We created 150+ jobs for A2SV alumni and secured 60+ offers from leading tech companies such as 谷歌 , 彭博资讯 , 亚马逊 , and LinkedIn .
• We organize the largest hackathon in Africa every year to reach unrecognized talent across the continent and nurture innovation.

We cannot continue doing this alone. To keep this free tech education and ecosystem building efforts going, we need your help. You can help us with financial support, mentorships for projects or introductions to other people and organizations who resonate with our mission.

Please contact me, at [email protected] or +1 (470) 846 9962 to make a real difference in Africa; because only together we can.