About The Hackathon
Who can Join?
SMEs with innovative solutions to tackle socioeconomic challenges incurred by covid19 pandemic
Participating SMEs must be registered in Kuwait.
Each team should have at least 3 (three) members and maximum of seven (7) members. We encourage participating SMEs to form a multidisciplinary team to benefit from diverse background, ideas and experiences to come up with innovative solution.
At least one of team members should be Kuwaiti, it is up to your company whether to invite external people to form a team.
How It Works
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony will kickstart the hackathon on May 12 at 9:00pm. It will include remarks from the organizers and partners, introductions to the coaching teams, and will be concluded by an interactive Q & A for the SME participants.
Director General
Kuwait Foundation for Advancements of Sciences
Dr. Adnan Shihab-Eldin
Director General
The National Fund for SME Development
Manaf Al-Menaifi
Secretary General
of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development
Dr. Khaled Mahdi
UNDP Kuwait Resident Representative
Hideko Hadzialic
Director General
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
Dr. Samira Omar
UNDP Innovation Advisor
Jennifer Colville
Selection Criteria For Challenge 1
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Clear identification of supply-chain vulnerability within identified sectors (which goods and/or services; clear indication of current sources)
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Creativity in addressing defined vulnerabilities
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Sustainability of solutions: Does the proposed set of solutions can be also effective in a longer-term?
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Cost-effectiveness / cost conscious ness of the proposed solutions
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Overall benefit to people residing in Kuwait,
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Is the solution based on sound forecast of supply chains?
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The degree to which a proposal can contribute to SDG 12 on responsible production and consumption,
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Replicability by other SMEs.
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The degree to which a proposed business plan can contribute to any of the 7 pillars of Kuwait Vision 2035, in particular “Diversified Sustainable Economy” pillar.
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[Secondary criteria] Replicability to other goods and/or services.
Selection Criteria For Challenge 2
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Creativity of proposed new business
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Feasibility of starting up in 2020/2021 per proposed business plan
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Potential number of beneficiaries
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Sustainability of proposed ideas
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Replicibility by other SMEs
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The degree to which a proposed business plan can contribute to any of the 7 pillars of Kuwait Vision 2035
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The degree to which a proposed business plan shall contribute to any SDGs (in particular SDG3)
The Coaching Team
Awards
Top team in each challenge wins 5000 KD (Yes two winners!)
Committed to support science, technology, and innovation solutions that contribute towards building a knowledge-based economy, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences will start the winners on an application track a financial grant through the KFAS Emergency Resilience Program
