Saturday 19 / April / 2025
Muscat: The College of Banking and Financial Studies in Muscat launched the Hackathon and Investment Bootcamp today. This initiative is part of the National Framework for Enhancing Financial Literacy, organised jointly by the National Programme for Financial Sustainability and Sector Development (Istidama) and the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at Sultan Qaboos University.
The hackathon and bootcamp aim to develop innovative solutions that promote a saving and investment culture, empowering individuals to make more informed and sustainable financial decisions. Thirty-one teams, comprising small and startup businesses, university students, and job seekers from across Oman, are participating with their creative ideas.
The initiative team evaluates submissions based on the strength of the idea, feasibility, and completeness of team members. Eligible teams undergo guidance throughout the three-day hackathon, culminating in the selection of 10 teams for the Investment Bootcamp phase, which will continue for three months following the hackathon's conclusion.
Participants benefit from specialised workshops and mentoring sessions conducted by financial experts and business development specialists to transform their concepts into practical prototypes. These prototypes will be presented to potential investors on the final day, where the winning teams will also be announced. This year, 247 ideas were submitted, of which 31 were shortlisted for participation.
The event was inaugurated by Abdullah bin Salem Al-Harthi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance.
The National Framework for Enhancing Financial Literacy, announced in mid-2024, focuses on enabling individuals to effectively plan and manage their financial resources by promoting core financial concepts and delivering innovative awareness and educational programmes. These programmes utilise diverse methods, including experiential learning and encouraging behavioural change.
