The KB Fintech Hackathon
24.3 – 26.3 2017 at Node 5
We’re pleased to announce that StartupYard is partnering with KB (Komercni Banka, a subsidiary of Societe Generale), to present our first ever banking focused hackathon.
What’s a Hackathon?
A hackathon is a social coding event that brings computer programmers and other interested people together to improve upon or build something new. For 48 hours non-stop, both external people and KB collaborators will form teams to work on a specific topic.
Below is a description of the event, including specific topic areas, technologies to be used, and the theme of the event:
Why Banking?
Trust is the most valuable currency in banking. But the rapid advance of new technologies makes it harder for ordinary people to know whom they should trust with their money.
Technologies like Open APIs, Artificial Intelligence, AR and VR, Bots, Big Data, Blockchain, and IoT will form the basis of tomorrow’s economy. Therefore, increasingly, the role of banks must be to help customers navigate this new economy in a safe andcomfortable way.
The bank of tomorrow must offer modern, safe, and easy-to-understand solutions for tomorrow’s challenges, while maintaining the deep and lifelong trust of customers. It must offer access to the advantages of new technologies, while keeping the interests of its customers close to heart.
This hackathon seeks to find and promote new services, technologies, and ways of working with customers that are not only aligned with what customers expect from a modern company, but also reliable, trust building, and transparent.
Technologies
How will these new ideas manifest themselves? What kinds of technologies will they be based on? Here are a few examples:
- Mobile Apps and Mobile Web
- Open API, PSD2 related services
- Data analytics, data visualizations
- Artificial intelligence, recommendations, recognition, prediction
- Chatbots and Electronic Assistants
- Internet of Things, NFC, RFID, Beacons, etc
- Geolocation
- Augmented and virtual reality
- Blockchain
NODE5 Radlická 50, Prague 5
Czech Republic
+420 776 140 985 info@node5.cz
Mentors
- Jan Urban
- Enrico Scopa
- Philip Staehelin
- Sebastien Guidoni
- Bedřich Vychodil
- Mojmír Prokop
- Monika Drobná
- Lloyd Waldo
- and more…
Methods
The accessibility and usability elements of new software ideas can take any form, or combine many different elements. Here are a few of the design elements that are most likely to be a part of the projects:
- Smart Alerts and notifications
- Messaging Platform Integrations (ie: FB Messenger API)
- Human Powered Digital Interaction (Video, Chat, etc)
- Integration of Services (financial and non-financial)
- Automated Finance Management: Planning, Investing, Cash Flow, Bill Pay, etc.
- Mobile banking
- Seamless Integration and Interoperability
- Gamification
- Personalization
- Simplification of UI for improved UX
- Mobile Apps and Mobile Web
- Open API, PSD2 related services
- Data analytics, data visualizations
- Artificial intelligence, recommendations, recognition, prediction
- Chatbots and Electronic Assistants
- Internet of Things, NFC, RFID, Beacons, etc
- Geolocation
- Augmented and virtual reality
Strategies
The Hackathon’s “strategies,” are the ways in which new ideas will improve a banking customer’s experience, or the bank’s ability to serve them. Strategies that will be most useful include:
- Mobile banking
- Seamless Integration and Interoperability
- Gamification
- Personalization
- Simplification of UI for improved UX
Jury
- Albert Le Dirac’h (Chairman at KB)
- Cédric Maloux (MD StartupYard)
- Jana Švábenská
- Vladimír Jeřábek
- Philip Staehelin
- David Švejda
- Aymeril Hoang
- Pierre-Nicolas Patouillard
What’s a Hackathon?
A Hackathon is a gathering of industry experts or enthusiasts, who band together over a short period of time to intensively explore a single, simple idea. A hackathon typically happens in a single day or a weekend. The object is to produce a finished product or a proof of concept, which can be the basis for a new business or a new service.
Why is KB hosting a Hackathon?
Because a Hackathon is a great way to get fresh perspectives, both from members of the KB team, and from outsiders with a diverse set of experiences. It’s a free-form opportunity to be creative, that gives us an opportunity to challenge our assumptions and our biases, and reduce tunnel vision.
KB also wants to give non-employees the opportunity to help change the way banking is done. Our best work is in cooperation with others- not all by ourselves. The hackathon gives KB a chance to support and meet talented and smart people, and give them a chance to shine.
Who are we looking for?
The Hackathon welcomes anyone who has an interest in the “Bank of the Future.” Participants can play different roles, such as:
Developers/Engineers who want to show their skills, write software and master emerging technologies.
Futurists who can envision and help sell new ways of working and new use cases for technologies that have been previously ignored or unrealized.
Data Scientists who know how to find new ways to use data and uncover data knowledge.
Entrepreneurs who are looking for the next big thing in banking, and will be quick to recognize a new business opportunity.
What’s the Goal of the Hackathon?
To envision the “Bank of the Future,” and together with members of the KB team, to create and even begin to test new products and concepts that may one day soon become the new ways that banks will interact with, serve, and support customers around the world.
Do I need experience in Banking?
You don’t need to have a background in banking. In fact, we encourage those with no experience in banking to apply as well.
Do I need to speak Czech/English?
The official language of the Hackathon is English, meaning that the final presentations of each idea will be in English. Some mentors and organizers will also speak only English. However, you do not have to be a master of the language to be on a team. Some basic familiarity is all that is required. Czech knowledge is not strictly required.
Is there a participation fee?
Yes. There is a symbolic fee of 100 CZK, to ensure that those who sign up are serious about attending. The value of food, drinks, and other perks at the event are worth far more, and the event is not for profit.
Do I need to have a team to join?
No! You can enter with your friends as a team, or you can come alone, and join a new or existing team. If you don’t know anyone, the organizers will help you find a team that needs your talents most. You will have the opportunity to share your own ideas, or to join a group you find interesting.
What Data will be available?
A cache of data will be available from KB, including anonymized user data such as transactional patterns, location patterns, and other interesting data. In addition, StartupYard will provide a cache of “open data” provided by the city of Prague, which can be used in combination with internal bank data to come up with brand new insights and ideas.
What can I win?
A jury made of members of KB and StartupYard will award the 3 best projects.
Financial awards:
- 10 000 CZK each for the 1st team
- 6 000 CZK each for the 2nd team
- 4 000 CZK each for the 3rd team
+ Prestige prizes:
- Possibility to be accepted to the SY accelerator (30000 EUR support)
- Presentation of the winning team to SG Group Innovation Director visit the next day and participate at the next day dinner
- MůjÚčet GOLD Account free for 1 year (with Gold Card)
- Lunch with CEO or IT managers
The KB Fintech Hackathon
24.3 – 26.3 2017 at Node 5
StartupYard is proud to be GAN, a highly curated community of accelerators, partners, and investors.
