7 Teams Win the MASA Hackathon 2024 in Collaboration with the Jordan Kuwait Bank

As the golden sponsor of JOIN Fincubator, Jordan Payments and Clearing Company “JoPACC” in an exclusive collaboration with Jordan Kuwait Bank, has launched the first internal hackathon designed for the bank’s employees to find a solution to an existing problem.  

This hackathon, which took place from May 9th to 11th, focused on developing the bank’s current MASA AI, the first market-leading digital personal assistant in the region that can answer retail banking inquiries and carry out financial transactions on JKB Mobile App through voice control. The solutions presented by the participants are expected to improve the first iteration of MASA, either by solving a current problem or adding new features focusing on the Personal Financial Management category. 
It is worth noting that MASA is the AI-powered digital assistant seamlessly integrated into the bank’s mobile application, was created by Salma AI, a technology company specializing in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered solutions for the financial services industry. Representatives from the Salma AI team were also present during the hackathon to make sure all participants were getting the needed technical support throughout the hackathon.  

After the call for applications was announced, 120 employees applied, forming 25 teams from different departments across the bank in Jordan, hoping to win the prize.  

During these three days, participants engaged in workshops accompanied by coaching and mentorship sessions by industry experts to support them in formulating their ideas, building their products, and pitching them by the end of this hackathon.  

After an initial evaluation and by the third and final day of the event, the 15 participating teams showcased their innovative ideas and presentations to a panel of experienced professionals, including subject matter experts from industry leaders in fintech and business. As a result, seven teams were awarded prizes totaling 16K JOD from Jordan Kuwait Bank and JoPACC.  

Emphasizing the significance of this partnership, JoPACC’s CEO, her Excellency Ms. Maha Bahou, conveyed her pride stating: “Our collaboration with Jordan Kuwait Bank signifies more than just a partnership; it is a commitment to driving meaningful change in the financial landscape of Jordan. Together, we are not only empowering our own employees through initiatives like the internal hackathon but also catalyzing a culture of innovation that permeates throughout our industry. In addition, this commitment reflects our collective dedication to enhancing digital financial services, promoting financial inclusion, and ultimately shaping a sustainable digital economy in Jordan.”  

It is worth mentioning that this strategic partnership between JoPACC and Jordan Kuwait Bank represents a pivotal alliance dedicated to fostering fintech innovation, enhancing digital financial services, and promoting financial inclusion across the Kingdom. Moreover, the bank’s top-tier sponsorship for JOIN Fincubator enforces its commitment to nurturing emerging fintech ventures in Jordan, and JOIN’s vital role in cultivating the development of innovative financial products and services that drive digital transformation and promoting a sustainable digital economy.