Hackathons
What we do
Over a concentrated period, participants work in teams to develop solutions that address specific problems, often with a focus on social impact. Our Hackathons foster creativity, innovation, and teamwork, providing a platform for participants to showcase their skills, network with like-minded individuals, and potentially bring their ideas to life.
Service options
- Access to mentors and industry experts
- Prize for winning teams
- Networking opportunities
- Access to tools and resources
- Food and refreshments
Key features & benefits
- Community collaboration
- Intense problem solving environment
- Access to industry experts
- Potential to develop real world solutions
- Prize money
- Recruitment and partnership deals
Case study
- Hackathons
- CIMAS Medical Aid
- www.cimas.co.zw
Introduction
In December 2021, Cimas, in collaboration with Impact Hub Harare, organized the “Cimas Healthathon 2021,” a 3-day hackathon from 1st to 3rd December. The goal of this event was to harness innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), telemedicine, big data analytics, and immersive technology, to address key challenges within the Cimas ecosystem. The hackathon aimed to explore ways to innovate through technology, optimize processes, enhance customer engagement, and potentially reduce costs.
Program Overview
Since its inception, the MicroWorkspace Programme has expanded by 200% under the Digital Skills 4 Youth Programme, supported by the Swedish Embassy (Sida) in partnership with Plan International. The initiative will now reach over 1,000 students across Zimbabwe, offering opportunities to gain in-demand digital skills for freelance and remote work. This growth has transformed the programme into a multi-million-dollar project, significantly expanding its reach and impact.
Event structure
Pre-hackathon preparation
Impact Hub Harare facilitated the pre-hackathon phase, where research was conducted on Cimas platforms. The resulting challenge questions focused on Cimas’ core operational areas.
Team selection
The call for applications launched on November 18, 2021, and over 100 applications were received. A total of six diverse teams were formed to tackle the challenges.
Design thinking framework
Impact Hub Harare applied Design Thinking methodologies, encouraging teams to emphasize empathy, rapid prototyping, and iterative testing.
Notable solutions
1. Team Power Masters:
Solution: iGO Community App
Challenge: Track usage of the Cimas iGO wellness program and integrate it into a health credit system.
Details: The app tracks iGO member health activities and rewards loyalty points based on healthy behavior. It integrates with popular health apps (e.g., Nike Run), features QR code scanning for purchases from Cimas value partners, and uses gamification to enhance member engagement. This solution is designed to reduce claims by promoting healthier lifestyles among members.
2. Team Electric Avengers:
Solution: Self-Service Portal with AI-Powered Chatbots
Challenge: Efficiently escalate member queries.
Details: An AI-powered chatbot system integrated into social media platforms (WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook), enabling real-time customer query resolution. The system includes a USSD option for members with limited internet access. This solution enhances accountability and transparency by tracking the status of queries and improving member satisfaction.
3. Team Health X:
Solution: Smart Data Engine
Challenge: Integrate multiple Cimas applications into a single platform.
Details: The Smart Data Engine centralizes data across all Cimas applications, providing real-time data access for better analytics and reporting. This solution solves the problem of data silos and allows for seamless integration with other corporate systems, increasing operational efficiency.
4. Team Mugonat Systems:
Solution: Machine Learning Fraud Detection System
Challenge: Address and detect fraudulent claims.
Details: A machine learning model that flags fraudulent claims by identifying suspicious patterns and forwarding them to the Cimas Forensics department for further investigation. This system improves fraud detection accuracy and speeds up the process, reducing overhead in the forensics department.
Key challenges addressed
Participants were tasked with solving the following key challenges:
- Fraudulent Claims Detection: Design solutions to identify and reduce fraudulent claims both internally and externally.
- Query Escalation: Develop a system for real-time member query resolution and escalation.
- Ecosystem Integration: Integrate different Cimas applications into a single platform to centralize data.
- Customer Engagement: Increase engagement and adoption of existing digital solutions.
- Wellness Program Tracking: Create a solution to track and incentivize members participating in the iGO wellness program.
Hackathon process
Day 1 - Inspiration
Teams focused on understanding the challenges, conducting desk research, and interviewing Cimas personnel and customers for further insights.
Day 2 - Ideation & prototyping
Participants brainstormed multiple ideas and developed low-fidelity prototypes. Testing and user feedback were prioritized to refine the solutions.
Day 3 - Final solutions & presentations
Teams presented their final prototypes to a judging panel comprising Cimas executives and Tadzoka Pswarayi, the Director of Impact Hub Harare.
Impact & recomendations
The Cimas Healthathon demonstrated the potential of innovative technologies in solving real-world problems. Solutions like the iGO Community App and Smart Data Engine promise to improve member engagement and streamline operations. The AI-powered chatbots and fraud detection system will likely increase customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs.
Key outcomes
Innovation
Introduced cutting-edge solutions using AI, ML, and IoMT technologies.
Operational efficiency
Streamlined processes for Cimas, reducing manual efforts and improving customer service.
Scalability
Solutions like the Smart Data Engine can serve as a foundation for future tech initiatives.
Conclusion
The Cimas Healthathon 2021, facilitated by Impact Hub Harare, was a successful event that brought together teams to address Cimas’ challenges with creative tech solutions. The hackathon not only produced innovative ideas but also strengthened Cimas’ position as a leader in the health industry through digital transformation.