Category: Women In FinTech

Day four of the ongoing Women in FinTech Hackathon was a huge success as participants learnt about Product Management, Prototyping, and the Digital Financial Services Providers (DFSPs) ecosystem.

The day’s mentor, Primera Muthoni; an ICT Product Development Expert and a senior mentor with Girls for Girls, Uganda Program urged the participants to pay utmost attention to product research, and the know your customer (KYC) matrix as the two are key to product success.

Discussing product management, Muthoni noted that the only way to develop a sustainable product is by identifying a problem, knowing the audience it affects and then coming up with a solution.

She further advised the groups to identify their competitive advantage and include it in their product development stages such that it can be compelling to any potential investors.

“An investor wants to see where you are headed. Does your product have a promise? How do the market projections look like?” Muthoni noted.

She added that a good product should have both a product road-map and technology roadmap and this should be realized in no more than 12 weeks.

“By the time the product is ready, make sure you have double or triple-checked it. Leave no room for a foul start because it creates a bad perception about your product,” she said.

Primera Muthoni was the third mentor at the ongoing Women in FinTech Hackathon that has attracted 17 women-led teams of between two to four members each. The teams are coming up with financial inclusion solutions that address their community needs, aided by Level One Project principles and latest technologies.

The other mentors before her were Catherine Namara; a telecommunications engineer, project management expert, an alumna of the G4G (Girls4Girls) STEM and the current head of fundraising and strategy at Girls4Girls and Doreen Lukandwa; the Beyonic/MFS Africa vice president (global enterprises).

During the Day Four morning session led by Cleopatra Kanyunyuzi, the co-founder of Club Tangaza, the Hackathon participants were taken through Digital Financial Service Providers (DFSPs), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and Interoperability Models citing that these help to ease the work of the innovators, by providing customers with real time customer transactions, security, efficiency, accountability and convenience.

The week-long Hackathon, organized by HiPipo in partnership with Crosslake Technologies, Modusbox, Mojaloop and Level One Project, will culminate into the Women in FinTech summit on Friday, October 15th, 2021 where the three top teams will be announced and get to share USD5,000 in prizes in addition to being part of a 90-day Business Incubator Program.

Empowering Innovators.

HiPipo is proud to remain one of the continent’s premier advocates for the creation, dissemination and adoption of digital financial services, and we remain highly enthusiastic to provide the ways and means for our innovators to fully develop solutions that will collectively lead millions of our people to better lives and improved livelihoods.

The inaugural Women in FinTech initiative in 2020 exceeded expectations and left no doubt that women are ready to play a starring role in the digital financial services space and can fill the product gap the sector currently contends with.

All the 15 participating teams in 2020 presented excellent ideas, and HiPipo is more than pleased to reveal that it supported three (3) of them to grow into startups, each with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that’s ready for the market, which was a success to an extent that they went on to take part in the recently-concluded 40Days 40 FinTechs initiative.

Ends.

Kampala, Monday October 11, 2021: Day Three of the #WomenInFinTech #LevelOneProject Hackathon has successfully ended with discussions focusing on why young innovators must draw proper business cases and plans if they are to effectively manage their projects.

Day three training was led by Catherine Namara; a telecommunications engineer, project management expert, an alumna of the G4G (Girls4Girls) STEM and the current head of fundraising and strategy at Girls4Girls.

Catherine Namara told the over 70 innovators taking part in the hackathon that they must get mentorship from people who have done amazing things and have been able to transcend through different levels of work.

“Reach out to stars because that is when your product is going to get into that edge cutting element. When you get to a person who has been doing mobile money payments, they can give you some critical information to take your product further,” she said.

Ms Namara stressed the need for developers to understand what need/s their innovations seek to solve, saying that companies were no longer investing in things that don’t have facts about.

“Every single idea has to have facts. You have to do research before you even get into prototyping. One step at a time then you realise that things are not that tough. You must always plan well and also communicate effectively with all your stakeholders,” she said.

The week-long Hackathon, organized by HiPipo in partnership with Crosslake Technologies, Modusbox, Mojaloop and Level One Project, will culminate into the Women in FinTech summit on Friday, October 15^th, 2021 where the three top teams will be announced and get to share USD5,000 in prizes in addition to being part of a 90-day Business Incubator Program.

The 2021 #LevelOneProject #WomenInFinTech Hackathon has 17 women led teams and over 70 participants altogether. The teams are coming up with financial inclusion solutions that address their community needs, aided by Level One Project principles and latest technologies.

Empowering Innovators

HiPipo is proud to remain one of the continent’s premier advocates for the creation, dissemination and adoption of digital financial services, and we remain highly enthusiastic to provide the ways and means for our innovators to fully develop solutions that will collectively lead millions of our people to better lives and improved livelihoods.

The inaugural Women in FinTech initiative in 2020 exceeded expectations and left no doubt that women are ready to play a starring role in the digital financial services space and can fill the product gap the sector currently contends with.

All the 15 participating teams in 2020 presented excellent ideas, and HiPipo is more than pleased to reveal that it supported three (3) of them to grow into startups, each with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that’s ready for the market, which was a success to an extent that they went on to take part in the recently-concluded 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative.

Ends.

Kampala, October 05, 2021: The #WomenInFinTech #LevelOneProject Hackathon has started today, Friday 8^th October with 17 shortlisted teams and over 70 participants altogether.

Speaking during the official opening of the Hackathon, Innocent Kawooya, the HiPipo Chief Executive Officer thanked the participants for showing tremendous interest in technology, noting that the Women in the FinTech Hackathon comes at an opportune time when financial technology is playing a key role in economic transformation locally and globally.

“We are happy that this is happening today. We take pride in leading the way in helping Ugandans navigate the new tide driven by financial technology. The next 7 days are going to be exciting for all the participants as a lot will be learnt and accomplished. But even more exciting is the fact that the participants have the ability to use this platform to initiate, develop and churn out impactful financial inclusion products and services that will transform their lives and their communities. The future is now,” Innocent Kawooya said.

Cleopatra Kanyunyuzi – the Club Tangaza co-founder and Simon Peter Kamya – a Ugandan developer are the local facilitators at the Hackathon, supported by FinTech experts who are facilitating virtually from Europe, Asia and North America.

Day One saw all participating teams present both their Problem Statement and Business Cases. Participants also had an introductory session to both Mojaloop Open Source Software and Level One Project Principles.

The week-long Hackathon, organized by HiPipo in partnership with Crosslake Technologies, Modusbox, Mojaloop and Level One Project, will culminate into the Women in FinTech summit on Friday, October 15th, 2021 where the three top teams will be announced and share USD5,000 in prizes in addition to being part of a 90 days Business Incubator Program.

Participants are expected to come up with financial inclusion solutions that address their community needs, aided by Level One Project principles and latest technologies. All the shortlisted teams are women-led, with 2 to 4 members, and each team having at-least 75 percent female composition.

Empowering Innovators

HiPipo is proud to remain one of the continent’s premier advocates for the creation, dissemination and adoption of digital financial services, and we remain highly enthusiastic to provide the ways and means for our innovators to fully develop solutions that will collectively lead millions of our people to better lives and improved livelihoods.

The inaugural Women in FinTech initiative in 2020 exceeded expectations and left no doubt that women are ready to play a starring role in the digital financial services space and can fill the product gap the sector currently contends with.

All the 15 participating teams in 2020 presented excellent ideas, and HiPipo is more than pleased to reveal that it supported three (3) of them to grow into start-ups, each with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that’s ready for the market, which was a success to an extent that they went on to take part in the recently-concluded 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative.

Ends.

Following a two-weeks long online registration process and continuous evaluation of all entries, we are happy to unveil the 17 teams that will participate in this year’s #WomenInFinTech #LevelOneProject Hackathon and Summit. Altogether, we received over 40 applications majorly from Uganda but also from Tanzania, Kenya and Ghana.

The Women in FinTech Hackathon will convene developers – 75 per cent of them being women – between 8^th and 14^th October to come up with financial inclusion solutions that address their community needs, aided by Level One Project principles and latest technologies like Mojaloop Open Source Software (OSS).

The shortlisted teams are women-led, with 2 to 4 members, and each team having at-least 75 percent female composition.

The Hackathon, organized by HiPipo in partnership with Crosslake Technologies, Modusbox, Mojaloop and Level One Project, will culminate into the Women in FinTech summit on Friday, October 15^th, 2021 where the three top teams will be announced and share USD5,000 in prizes.

“I am happy to note that the registration process went on smoothly with over 40 teams applying. We went through all entries and thereafter shortlisted the best 17 teams. Even though we would wish to have all the 40 teams participating because they all deserve it, we are constrained by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, financial and space restrictions. We encourage those that didn’t make the final list to continue pursuing their products as every effort counts in this financial inclusion journey,” Innocent Kawooya, the HiPipo CEO noted while unveiling the Women in FinTech initiative.

He added: “Like we noted recently, the top three teams in the Hackathon will be shortlisted to be a part of the inaugural 90-days Women-in-FinTech Incubator. The Incubator is a program designed to further concretise their product development and business acumen, and improve their readiness for the fintech industry.”  

“Most of all, as we continue to profess, the initiative continues to serve the truth that 100% financial inclusion will only occur if effort is directed to bringing more women into the digital innovation and business space. HiPipo, with its Include Everyone program, and in concert with the Gates Foundation and other stakeholders, is proud to continue serving this purpose. We promise a fantastic arena to acquire and share the digital skills towards that end.”

Empowering Innovators

HiPipo is proud to remain one of the continent’s premier advocates for the creation, dissemination and adoption of digital financial services, and we remain highly enthusiastic to provide the ways and means for our innovators to fully develop solutions that will collectively lead millions of our people to better lives and improved livelihoods.

The inaugural Women in FinTech initiative in 2020 exceeded expectations and left no doubt that women are ready to play a starring role in the digital financial services space and can fill the product gap the sector currently contends with.

All the 15 participating teams in 2020 presented excellent ideas, and HiPipo is more than pleased to reveal that it supported three (3) of them to grow into startups, each with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that’s ready for the market, which was a success to an extent that they went on to take part in the recently-concluded 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative.

Shortlisted Teams and their Team Leaders.

Important Dates:

1. 8^th to 14^th October: Women in FinTech hackathon underway.
2. 15^th October: Women in Fintech Summit.

Benefits:

1. Networking with fellow Developers and Facilitators from across the World.
2. Mentorship from Industry Players and Business Leaders.
3. Access to latest infrastructure and technology.
4. USD 5000 Prize Money to be shared by the winning teams.
5. Fully paid 90 days Incubator Program for three top teams.

Prize Money Breakdown:

1. Winning Team : USD2000 and participation in 90 Days Incubator Program
2. First Runner Up : USD1000 and participation in 90 Days Incubator Program
3. Second Runner Up: participation in 90 Days Incubator Program.

To the lucky participants, see you soon. For now, STAY SAFE.

Ends.

In line with its commitment to spearhead Digital Financial Services adoption and Financial Inclusion advocacy across Africa, HiPipo has today launched the 2021 #WomenInFinTech #LevelOneProject Hackathon and Summit, with the opening of registration to all eligible participants.

The Women in FinTech Hackathon will convene developers – 75 per cent of them being women – to come up with financial inclusion solutions that address their community needs, aided by Level One Project principles and latest technologies between 8^th and 14^th October.

Registration for the second #WomenInFinTech #LevelOneProject Hackathon has kicked off today September 21^st, 2021 until October 4^th  after which successful teams will be announced.

The hackathon is open to women-led teams of 2 to 4 members, with each team having at-least 75 percent female composition.

The Hackathon, organized in partnership with Crosslake Technologies, Modusbox, Mojaloop and Level One Project, will culminate into the Women in FinTech summit on Friday, October 15^th, 2021 where the three top teams will be announced and share USD 5,000 in prizes.

Empowering Innovators

HiPipo is proud to remain one of the continent’s premier advocates for the creation, dissemination and adoption of digital financial services, and we remain highly enthusiastic to provide the ways and means for our innovators to fully develop solutions that will collectively lead millions of our people to better lives and improved livelihoods.

The inaugural Women in FinTech initiative in 2020 exceeded expectations and left no doubt that women are ready to play a starring role in the digital financial services space and can fill the product gap the sector currently contends with.

All the 15 participating teams presented excellent ideas, and HiPipo is more than pleased to reveal that it supported three (3) of them to grow into startups, each with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that’s ready for market, which was a success to an extent that they went on to take part in the recently-concluded 40 Days 40 FinTechs project.

“This is thus a call for more women innovators to step forward and register for the 2nd Women-in-FinTech Hackathon & Summit, and have the opportunity to improve their skills in all aspects of the FinTech ecosystem. This will of course include being introduced to the Level One Project and its Principles, ideal for the creation of the Instant & Inclusive Payment Systems that will change the world,” Innocent Kawooya, the HiPipo CEO noted while unveiling the Women in FinTech initiative.

He added: “We are further enthused to reveal that a dozen of the participants will be sortlisted to be a part of the inaugural 90-day Women-in-FinTech Incubator. The Incubator is a program designed to further concretise their product development and business acumen, and improve their readiness for the fintech industry.”

“Most of all, as we continue to profess, the initiative continues to serve the truth that 100% financial inclusion will only occur if effort is directed to bringing more women into the digital innovation and business space. HiPipo, with its Include Everyone program, and in concert with the Gates Foundation and other stakeholders, is proud to continue serving this purpose. We promise a fantastic arena to acquire and share the digital skills towards that end.”

So, dear ladies, please do register, and see you soon. For now, STAY SAFE.

Important Dates:

1. 21^st September to 4^th October: Online Registration.
2. 5^th October: Eligible participants announced.
3. 8^th to 14^th October: Women in FinTech hackathon underway.
4. 15^th October: Women in Fintech summit.

Eligibility:

1. A team of 2 to 4 developers.
2. The team leader must be a woman.
3. 75 per cent of team members must be women.

Benefits:

1. Networking with fellow Developers and Facilitators from across the World.
2. Mentorship from Industry Players and Business Leaders.
3. Access to latest infrastructure and technology.
4. USD 5000 Prize Money to be shared by the winning teams.
5. Fully paid 90 days Incubator Program for three top teams.

Prize Money Breakdown:

1. Winning Team : USD2000 and participation in 90 Days Incubator Program
2. First Runner Up : USD1000 and participation in 90 Days Incubator Program
3. Second Runner Up: participation in 90 Days Incubator Program.

Ends.  

By Our writer

Spending a day or a week at home for lack of school fees is something that no parent would wish their child to experience.

Due to various challenges, however, parents find themselves stranded with their children who have been sent back home to collect fees.

To support such parents, however, E-Moments, a multi-business company that does events management, set up a payments business Application dubbed Pesajet, which, among others, offers a School Advance solution that seeks to aid the school fees challenge.

According to E-Moments Limited Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Emily Sonia Nakabuye, the solution offers low-interest loans to parents to pay their children’s school fees to avoid inconveniences.

Pesajet also offers services in agriculture and utilities, among others.

As part of the company’s women empowerment agenda, women enjoy lower loan interest rates compared men.

“If men take out loans at 5% interest rate, women will be charged 3%,” Nakabuye says.

She adds that Pesajet seeks to include everyone by ensuring that their loans are accessible and affordable for both men and women.

Pesajet uses technology such as Java, API programming and Mojaloop. Nakabuye notes that they are also encrypting Mojaloop with the open-loop systems so that everyone is able to transact cheaply, irrespective of the digital financial service provider they are using.

Additionally, she says that Pesajet is also using the Account lookup service provided by Mojaloop and notifications to enable people get updates about Pesajet or get transaction alerts through SMS. 

Nakabuye notes that Pesajet is also working on smoothening its user interface and make it accessible and easy to all users.

“We have heard statements like wow! Their application is really nice; it is very easy to use, I would recommend it to anyone. That is the feedback we want to get from our customers when they use our application,” Nakabuye notes.

She notes that Pesajet is a believer that low cost user devices are key in driving financial inclusion, and notes that Pesajet is trying to ensure that its App is accessible, irrespective of the device one is using.

In a bid to ensure low cost, Pesajet is trying to make its App as affordable as possible so as to cater for the last-mile person.

The Pesajet App can be downloaded from the Google Play store.

40-Days 40-FinTechs

E-Moments Limited, which was started during and also participated in last year’s Women in FinTech Hackathon, is among the firms participating in the ongoing second edition of the 40-Days 40-FinTechs initiative, organized by HiPipo in partnership with with Crosslake Technologies, ModusBox and Mojaloop Foundation, and sponsored by the Gates Foundation.

Nakabuye expressed gratitude to HiPipo for the 40-Days 40-FinTechs programme, which she says provides a platform for enhanced visibility to get more customers.

Additionally, she notes, it provides a platform for them to learn from the various FinTechs participating in the programme by listening to the many great stories and getting many good ideas from industry stakeholders.

She, however, expresses concern that the FinTech industry is facing a number of challenges including fraud, high cost and digital illiteracy.

Alluding to the numerous innovative ideas being showcased, the HiPipo Chief Executive Officer Innocent Kawooya notes that this year’s edition of the 40-Days 40 FinTechs is Uganda’s most comprehensive foray into things like distributed ledger technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Automated Customer Relationship Management, cash management and lending platforms, among others.

He adds: “We need to be prepared with appropriate products and have the appropriate real-time payment systems in place to support an inclusive, interoperable digital marketplace that is both thriving and safe.”

Pesajet can be accessed on www.pesajet.com