Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention, but a hackathon? That’s the high-stakes battleground where innovation is put to the test.
The 3rd Cavista Technologies Hackathon, held at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) on February 22nd and 23rd, 2025, was a spectacle of intellect, creativity, and absolute coding determination.
Team Stark Underflow emerged as the winner, taking the grand prize of N2 million after an intense battle against 29 other teams, comprising over 100 students from leading institutions in Lagos.
The prize money wasn’t the only catch, as the event reiterated that automation is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day innovation.
With the theme ‘Smart Automation: Enhancing Care Through Integrated Systems,’ participants were challenged to develop real-world solutions that could boost efficiency in industries ranging from healthcare to financial services.
The hackathon was graced by the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who stressed the importance of continuous technological advancement in Nigeria.
“We remain committed to building an ecosystem to support technology through collaboration. In furtherance to this, we will launch a new platform that will enable young people to learn new skills and collaborate with private organizations because technology is driving almost everything we do,” he stated.
He further noted that automation has indeed become a key driver of services in Nigeria, urging young people to harness their creativity and innovative determination with the power of collaboration to make a solid impact.
“Let the hackathon not just be a competition but a platform for solutions that will shape the future of a smart automation process in Nigeria and beyond,” he added.
“The tech industry isn’t just about writing lines of code; it’s about solving problems. You don’t work in isolation. Collaboration is everything.”
The General Manager of Cavista Technologies, Oyebola Morakinyo, also urged students to leverage innovation without fear of failure: “At Cavista Technologies, our vision is to be the most innovative and respected solutions provider in the market. We provide services that drive transformation, enhance efficiency, and position organizations to lead in the future by leveraging our team of skilled engineers and industry experts. This is why we are here—to push boundaries and discover the next set of engineers to impact our community.”
The hackathon didn’t just bring young minds to focus on coding, it also included learnings about strategy, teamwork, and market viability. A key takeaway? “You must know what the business strategy is, the product you’re building, and what value it delivers. Technical skills are important, but understanding how to sell your solution is just as critical.”
The Winners: Innovation and Practicality
The high point of the event was the announcement of the winners:
- 1st Place: Team Stark Underflow (LASUSTECH) – ₦2,000,000
- 2nd Place: Team Trendsetters (UNILAG) – ₦1,000,000
- 3rd Place: Team TechStars (UNILAG) – ₦500,000
Beyond cash prizes, all participants walked away with mentorship opportunities, networking access, and career-defining collaborations to help them grow and thrive even more in the technology sector.
As a flagship initiative of Cavista Technologies, a global leader in technology solutions and development services, the hackathon reflects the company’s commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing tech talent.
With a team of engineers and industry experts, Cavista Technologies is focused on delivering cutting-edge technology solutions that streamline processes and accelerate project delivery.
With a presence across multiple continents, Cavista is focused on building the next generation of engineers with the skills and opportunities to innovate, disrupt, and lead.
