Introduce your team. Share your names, backgrounds, and what you do.
The team consisted of Joshua Dove (BCom Management in Investment Management, BCom Honours Economic Analysis of Financial Markets), Kebaabetwse Mokgethi (BCom Business Management & Information Systems, BCom Honours Information Systems), Victor Dusabimana (BSc Civil Engineering), and Oshai Naidoo (BEng Mechanical Engineering). All four team members are currently pursuing an MPhil in Financial Technology at the University of Cape Town. Drawing from diverse academic disciplines, the team combined analytical, technical, and strategic thinking to collaborate effectively throughout the hackathon.
Bootcamp experience - What did you learn, and how did this prepare you for the hackathon?
The bootcamp provided a strong foundation ahead of the hackathon, offering a balance of technical and conceptual insight. Sessions led by Dr Allan Davids and the Interledger team were particularly valuable, enabling participants to build confidence in understanding and applying the Interledger Protocol (ILP). The combination of theory and hands on learning ensured the team was well prepared to engage with the technology and develop a practical solution during the competition.
Hackathon experience - How often do you participate in hackathons? What do you enjoy about them?
This was each team member’s first hackathon experience. The fast paced, collaborative environment pushed everyone to adapt quickly, think creatively, and work efficiently under time pressure. The opportunity to transform an idea into a tangible solution within such a short timeframe made the experience both challenging and rewarding.
The problem you tackled - What issue did you aim to solve, and how did Interledger technology help?
The team focused on the financial challenges faced by South African students who are unable to graduate or access their transcripts due to outstanding tuition fees. The proposed solution, FlowFi, aimed to streamline and democratise the crowdfunding process for education. Interledger’s capabilities were central to this solution, enabling fast, low cost, and secure contributions from local and international donors, without the typical friction of cross border payments.
Your tech solution – Describe your project. How does it work? What technologies did you use?
FlowFi is a blockchain-based crowdfunding platform that connects students in need of financial assistance with potential donors. Students can create public campaign profiles detailing their academic background and funding goals, while donors can browse and contribute to campaigns they care about. The project used the Interledger Protocol (ILP) to facilitate seamless and cost effective payments. The frontend was built using Softr, while ILP managed backend integration, ensuring secure and efficient transaction processing. Together, these technologies delivered a transparent, user friendly platform for educational fundraising.
The pitch experience - How did you feel presenting to the judges and other participants?
Presenting the project to judges and fellow participants was a key experience in the hackathon. While there were initial nerves, the experience was exciting. Sharing FlowFi with the wider community and receiving constructive, positive feedback made the process particularly rewarding.
Mentorship experience - How was your interaction with mentors from ILF and the other mentors? Are there any valuable insights you've gained?
Mentors from the Interledger Foundation and the broader hackathon community offered valuable technical and strategic guidance throughout the event. Their support helped refine the project’s scope, improve technical integration, and align more closely with the capabilities of ILP. The feedback and insight received played a crucial role in shaping the final solution and enhancing the team’s learning.
At this stage, the team does not plan to develop FlowFi beyond the scope of the hackathon. While the experience was deeply enriching and provided a strong foundation in both blockchain applications and ILP integration, the project is currently viewed as a learning opportunity rather than a venture to be taken forward.
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