News
Vodafone Egypt Launches Unprecedented Technological Hackathon
![vodafone egypt hackathon 2018](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/vodafone-egypt-hackathon-2018-1.jpg)
Vodafone Egypt held the first Hackathon of its kind in Egypt and in the region, inviting developers to innovate in software development. The company awarded three teams of developers out of 44 participating teams with up to EGP 210,000 in prizes for their innovative ideas presented at the company’s first innovation Hackathon that took place last week in the company’s Headquarters in Smart Village.
Vodafone Egypt becomes the first telecommunications company in the country with a pioneering vision to shape future generations by digitizing a diverse set of sectors.
Supporting exciting technologies has been an integral part of Vodafone Egypt’s development strategy, as the company intends to cooperate with Egypt’s digital transformation direction and the 2030 vision adapted by the government.
The Hackathon focused on sectors including education, health, energy, transportation and environmental fields, supporting youth in innovating beyond traditional means.
Vodafone recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in Egypt, marking 2018 as a year filled with accomplishments as the #1 network.
Youth have set Vodafone Egypt as a role model in technological advances such as artificial intelligence, RPA, IoT, Cognitive technologies, and application development.
The online community observed the Hackathon closely to understand the up-and-coming trends of these technological specializations and the ecosystem of inspirational ideas from engineering students, alumni, and professionals with successful careers.
The Hackathon judging panel was formed by key individuals and experienced professionals, including Alexandre Froment-Curtil, Vodafone Egypt CEO; Mohamed Abdallah, Enterprise Business Unit Director, Emad Al Azhary, Strategy Director, Karim Eid C. Marketing Digital Director; and Amani Rabei, Vodafone Shared Services Egypt Director, Eng. Mohamed Sami, Head of Technology Shared Services Egypt, in addition to Maha Rashad, CEO of ITIDA.
Here are the three winners that have inspired us all to look upon the next generation of techies in the country.
1. Helpee
A platform that connects people with disabilities and volunteers who want to help them with simple daily tasks. Volunteering can be paid, if it’s an urgent request for help, or free.
The platform is like an Uber service for volunteers to help people with disabilities in the community. The uber-like platform was innovated by a team of 4 innovative youths named Sara Mahmoud, Abdelrahman El-Shobragy, Anwar Aly, and Aya El-Kader.
2. Robabikya (Vodafone advised them to rename it Bikya)
Founded by Salma Medhat, Ahmed Hisham, Ahmed Zaki, Amr Ahmed, and Mohamed Hussein, “Robabikya” is a waste management mobile application that lets users trade their trash for cash in exchange for having discounts on online shopping platforms and other services.
3. ParaZtec
A 3-part system helps alleviate obstacles for people with communication hardships (mainly paralyzed and MS patients). The first system is a sensor-based glove to sense the patient’s finger movements and matches them with a corresponding patient request; the second is the PC application, which displays the request.
It can also enable the patient to use the glove to write on the on-screen keyboard. While the third part is the mobile application, which should be with the patient’s overseer, and it will directly receive messages from the patient through the PC application in case he/she needs help.
It is a big surprise that ParaZtec is an innovative system implemented by a team of high school students named; Mazen Kazem Mahmoud, Mahmoud Adel Mohamed, Ahmed Haris Ibrahim, and Mohamed Ayman.
News
Saudi Fintech Lendo Signs MOU with J.P. Morgan
![Saudi Startup Lendo Joins Forces with J.P. Morgan to Enhance SME Financing](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Lendo-x-JP-Morgan-MOU.png)
Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.
J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.
“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.
The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.
Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.
News
TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool
![**TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making**](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/antethink-ta-telecom.png)
TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.
With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.
Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.
Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”
Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”
AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.
Key Features of AnteThink include:
1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.
2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.
3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.
![TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/antethink-screenshot-800x450.png)
Credit: Antethink
AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.
News
GoDaddy’s Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt’s E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028
![GoDaddy's Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt's E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Selina-Bieber-the-Senior-Director-of-Global-Markets-at-GoDaddy.webp)
Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.
Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.
In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.
The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.
Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.
As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.
The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.
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