Innovation hackathon concludes at Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh

Over 500 candidates participated in the Financial Market Innovation Hackathon, a competition held in conjunction with the Money20/20 Middle East 2026 conference in Riyadh. Organized by the Financial Academy in partnership with the Capital Market Authority and Sahm Financial, the hackathon aimed to create innovative solutions for real-world challenges in the Saudi financial market.

The event attracted more than 500 applicants, who were divided into 60 teams to work on twelve innovative ideas over the course of the competition. A panel of experts evaluated the proposals, ultimately awarding first place to the team "Idraj," with "Hawkamtek" and "Flok" securing second and third place, respectively. The hackathon, part of the broader Money20/20 Middle East 2026 conference, sought to foster innovation and empower talent to utilize modern technologies in developing practical solutions.

This, in turn, aims to bolster the financial sector's competitiveness and support Saudi Vision 2030's objectives. The Financial Academy, in addition to the hackathon, demonstrated its commitment to developing human capital in the financial sector through its booth at the conference. The Academy also hosted a series of workshops and sessions during the event, focusing on various aspects of the financial industry, including future trends, skills for 2030, professional certifications, and cybersecurity.

The Academy's participation in Money20/20 Middle East 2026 underscores its dedication to nurturing talent and fostering partnerships to keep pace with rapid changes in the financial landscape.