The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) organized ‘Financial Inclusion Data Hackathon’ on 29th and 30th March, 2019 in the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in partnership with a2i, Centre for Enterprise and Society (CES), University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), LightCastle Partners and Preneur Lab - Social Good Company.

The purpose of the Hackathon is to bring data-driven, innovative new insights to drive policy, regulation and/or product and service ideas to improve financial inclusion, inclusive growth and realizing SDGs in Bangladesh.

On the first day, there was a training for the participants on data analytics in financial services and orientation on the ‘Financial Inclusion Data Hackathon’. Respected mentors accompanied the participants throughout the day when they needed and guided them accordingly. On the second day, participants had engaged themselves in the analysis and preparation of pitching their ideas before a panel of judges picked the three winning teams.

A total of 16 selected teams, out of 150 teams applied, from different universities, mobile operators, central bank, commercial banks etc. took part the event. Three of them, were awarded through showcasing their innovative ideas related to financial inclusion.

The initiative was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the European Union under UNCDF’s SHIFT SAARC programme in Bangladesh.