The Bank of QueenslandBOQ, one of Australia’s leading regional banks and is one of the few still not owned by one of the big banks, recently joined forces with Brisbane’s premier tech start-up hub River City Labs to host the inaugural BOQ Hackathon 2016 on June 10-12.
The hackathon is a creative, problem-solving event specifically focused on new technology-based banking solutions, and converting those ideas into concepts and prototypes within a matter of only 52 hours.
The event will provide a platform for participants ranging from BOQ employees and partners to start-ups and students, to collaborate and disrupt the business banking and fintech industries.
“The Bank of Queensland is delighted to play a pivotal role in developing the next-generation of entrepreneurs who will no doubt come up with fascinating ideas on how financial solutions can be improved to benefit our customers,” Greg Pink, BOQ Head of SME commented. “The BOQ Hackathon is one way we can engage via innovation within the industry and help identify budding entrepreneurs in Queensland.”
How will the BOQ Hackathon be organised?
It will comprise of four competition tracks with participants forming teams of between two and six people. Participants will have a chance to pitch their new business to a panel of judges, including leading investor and shark on Network Ten’s Shark Tank, Steve Baxter, and Ezidebit founder Michael Dempsey, with prizes on offer to those who excel.
Kaisu Christie, BOQ Head of Digital and Innovation, said the most important part of the weekend event will be idea generation, customer proposition development and business concept validation.
“We believe it’s important to provide a conducive platform for people to brainstorm, code, design and test their ideas in a stimulating, supportive environment,” she said.
“BOQ wants to foster innovation and translate thoughts into new products and services to benefit our customers, and the hackathon is the start of bigger things to come.”
It’s time to bring your best ideas
River City Labs general manager Josh Anthony urged BOQ staff, partners and other entrepreneurs to sign up for the event.
“If you think you don’t have the relevant skills or aren’t entrepreneurial enough, I urge you to think twice and give the BOQ Hackathon a go. So bring that idea you’ve always thought about and make it a reality,” Anthony said.
Steve Baxter, River City Labs founder, said the event was a good example of a leading regional bank who “gets innovation”.
“It’s great to see BOQ take such an important first step to support entrepreneurship, both within their organisation and externally. It’s a great example to follow for many others in the financial world and corporate sector at large,” he remarked.
