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IDDA Hackathon 2

December 19, 2025 - December 21, 2025
Istanbul

The IDDA Hackathon 2 is a 48-hour fintech innovation marathon powered by Tenity and IDDA.

Application deadline: 12 December, 2025

The IDDA Hackathon is more than just a competition—it’s a 48-hour fintech innovation marathon where students, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts come together to tackle pressing financial challenges and transform ideas into actionable solutions. By fostering collaboration across diverse skill sets, the hackathon provides a launchpad for the next wave of fintech startups in Azerbaijan.

  • Fostering Innovation
    Building an ecosystem where creative business ideas and fintech product concepts don’t just start—they grow into real-world solutions.
  • Spotting Talent & Teams
    Simplifying the evaluation process for identifying high-potential founders and teams, while giving companies a testing ground for innovative ideas.
  • Accelerating Growth
    Creating industry-specific opportunities, supporting the journey from idea to market, and catalyzing growth for fintech entrepreneurs.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Innovation and Creativity
This criterion evaluates the originality of the proposed solutions. Judges will look for bold, groundbreaking ideas that introduce fresh approaches to solving fintech challenges. Out-of-the-box thinking and creative problem-solving will be highly rewarded.

2. User Experience and Engagement
Participants’ solutions will be assessed on their ability to deliver a seamless and engaging user experience. Intuitive design, smooth navigation, and features that enhance customer or partner engagement will stand out in this category.

3. Feasibility and Technical Viability
Judges will consider how realistic and achievable the solutions are. Ideas that demonstrate a clear understanding of technical requirements, resource needs, and integration into existing financial systems will score higher.

4. Commercial Potential
Solutions will be evaluated on their market fit and ability to scale. Judges will prioritize concepts that have a strong value proposition, revenue potential, and long-term sustainability within the fintech ecosystem.

5. Teamwork and Presentation
The strength of the team and clarity of their pitch are critical. Judges will assess collaboration, communication, and the ability to present ideas in a compelling and professional way. Passion, expertise, and alignment with the hackathon’s goals will also be taken into account.

What
IDDA Hackathon is a 48-hour sprint where teams tackle pressing fintech challenges and transform bold ideas into real solutions.
When
December 19-20-21, 2025
Where
AIM | Baku, Azerbaijan

Program Timeline

Openning Applications
16 October 2025
Closing Applications
12 December 2025
Hackathon Kickoff
19 December 2025
Hackathon Progress
19-20-21 December 2025
Hackathon Demo Day
21 December 2025

Benefits

$4,500 Prize Pool

Win from a total prize pool of $4,500, with rewards for the top three teams — $2,000 for the 1st place, $1,500 for the 2nd, and $1,000 for the 3rd.

Mentorship from Experts

Work side by side with experienced mentors who will guide you through ideation, prototyping, and pitching.

Ecosystem Visibility

Gain exposure within the Azerbaijani and international fintech ecosystem, opening doors to future collaborations.

Pathway to Incubation

The most promising teams will have the chance to advance into the IDDA Incubation Program for further support.

Networking Opportunities

Connect with like-minded peers, industry experts, corporates, and investors throughout the hackathon.

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IDDA

Innovation and Digital Development Agency or IDDA acts as an enabler which spearheads digital transformation initiatives in Azerbaijan fostering a holistic local innovation ecosystem and strengthening the overall digital infrastructure. Its primary focus is to accelerate the pace of digitalization, innovation, particularly startup growth, and venture investment climate. Additionally, the Agency is committed to enhancing accessible educational and career opportunities in the ICT sector by facilitating access to modern technologies and solutions. A significant focus is also placed on establishing and organizing the frameworks necessary for a digital government and a digital society, which are key strategic directions for IDDA.

Visit website.

What We'll Cover


Challenge 1

Digital Payments & Remittances

SMEs in Azerbaijan still lack affordable digital payment tools, and cross-border remittances remain slow and costly. Problem Statements: *How can SMEs access fast, low-cost digital payment infrastructure for both local and international transactions? *How can remittances between the Azerbaijani diaspora and the home country be made faster and cheaper, potentially through crypto-enabled solutions?
Challenge 2

SME Financing & Alternative Lending

SMEs struggle to access credit from traditional banks due to strict requirements. Real-time data can unlock instant, lower-risk financing opportunities. Problem Statements: *How can real-time data (invoices, sales, supply chain activity) be used to offer instant financing to SMEs? *How can BNPL and alternative lending models scale responsibly while reducing default risk?
Challenge 3

Financial Inclusion & Digital Identity

A significant portion of the population remains unbanked. Digital identity and alternative data can expand access to financial services. Problem Statements: *How can alternative data (mobile usage, e-commerce, social signals) help assess creditworthiness for unbanked users? *How can digital ID systems improve access to basic financial services for underserved communities?
Challenge 4

Open Banking & AI-Powered Services

Azerbaijan is preparing its open banking framework, creating opportunities for API-driven, AI-powered financial services. Problem Statements: *How can open banking enable personalized financial recommendations for users? *How can AI predict customer behavior and deliver proactive budgeting, savings, and financial guidance tools?
Challenge 5

RegTech & Cybersecurity

Compliance requirements (KYC/AML) and data security needs are becoming increasingly complex. Problem Statements: *How can KYC/AML processes be automated to make them faster, more efficient, and less resource-heavy? *How can user data and digital assets be protected from fraud, cyber threats, and unauthorized access?
Challenge 6

Digital Banking & Wealth Management

Digital banks are emerging, but young users still lack accessible investment tools and integrated financial management experiences. Problem Statements: *How can micro-investing and robo-advisory tools become appealing and accessible to first-time investors? *How can payments, savings, and investment features be combined into one seamless digital banking experience?
Challenge 7

InsurTech Innovations

nsurance penetration remains low in Azerbaijan, especially among youth and low-income groups. Problem Statements: *How can simple, affordable micro-insurance products be designed for young or underserved users? *How can IoT-powered real-time data improve risk assessment, dynamic pricing, and fraud prevention in insurance?
Challenge 8

Tokenization & Digital Assets

Azerbaijan is developing its digital asset regulations, opening the door for tokenization of real-world assets. Problem Statements: *How can real assets (real estate, gold, commodities) be tokenized for secure fractional ownership? *What infrastructure is needed to store, manage, and transfer digital assets safely and compliantly?

Requirements

  • Open to individuals or teams
  • Ideal for students, developers, designers, business developers, product managers,and aspiring entrepreneurs
  • Interest in fintech and technology is expected
  • Commitment to actively participate during the 48-hour hackathon weekend
  • Participants must be over 18 years of age
  • Teams should consist of 4–6 people
  • Focus topics

    Meet
    the team

    Sabina Babayeva

    Sabina Babayeva

    Hub Lead | Tenity Istanbul Hub
    İlayda Bahadıroğlu

    İlayda Bahadıroğlu

    Program Manager | Tenity Istanbul Hub
    Elkhan Shukurov

    Elkhan Shukurov

    Project Manager, IDDA
    Huseyn Abizadeh

    Huseyn Abizadeh

    Venture & Scouting Intern

    Meet the executive mentors

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    Have questions?

    Reach out to our team

    İlayda Bahadıroğlu

    İlayda Bahadıroğlu

    Program Manager | Tenity Istanbul Hub

    Apply now

    The IDDA Hackathon 2 is a 48-hour fintech innovation marathon powered by Tenity and IDDA.

    FAQ

    What is a hackathon?

    A hackathon is a technical competition where software developers, designers, and business enthusiasts form teams of 4–6 people and collaborate intensively over two days to create new projects and solutions.

    What is the IDDA Hackathon?

    The IDDA Hackathon is a 48-hour fintech innovation challenge that brings together students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and the local tech community to solve real business problems. Teams work to build MVPs, pitch their solutions, and unlock pathways to incubation for the most promising ideas.

    What are the themes of the IDDA Hackathon?

    The IDDA Hackathon focuses on fintech innovation, with themes including:

    • Digital Payments
    • Open Banking & AI-powered Services
    • RegTech & Cybersecurity
    • Digital Banking & Wealth Management
      You can find more details in the Categories section of this website.

    Who can participate?

    We welcome software developers, designers, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts who want to experience the hackathon spirit and develop innovative fintech projects. Teams should consist of 4–6 people.

    How can I join the IDDA Hackathon?

    To participate, apply as a team by filling out the application form. Only one team member should submit the form on behalf of the group, including accurate details for all participants (name, surname, email, phone number, LinkedIn). Incomplete or inaccurate applications may result in disqualification. Selected teams must bring their own laptops.

    How will winners be evaluated?

    The jury and mentors will assess teams throughout the hackathon, considering both teamwork and the quality of the final solution. Evaluation criteria include:

    • Innovation
    • Scalability
    • Product–market fit
    • Presentation quality
    • Alignment with program goals
      Winners will be announced after the final pitches.
    Is the program free of charge?

    Yes, participation in the IDDA Hackathon is free for all selected participants. The event will take place offline in Azerbaijan.

    What does the program include?

    The hackathon combines intensive project development with training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. In addition to working on your solution, you will attend workshops and connect with leading fintech experts.

    Can we code our project in advance?

    No. All coding and development must take place during the 48-hour hackathon. Any pre-coded projects will be disqualified, even if they are selected as winners.

    How will the awards be decided?

    Final presentations will be evaluated by the jury on the last day of the hackathon, and winners will be announced based on the scoring criteria.

    Do we need to be physically present for the entire event?

    Not for all 48 hours. However, physical presence is required during official working hours, training sessions, and mentorship activities. Overnight coding may be done online or from home if preferred.

    What will be the language of the program?

    While most participants are expected from Azerbaijan, the official language of the hackathon will be English to ensure inclusivity and alignment with international standards.

    Is travel support provided for international participants?

    No. The IDDA Hackathon does not cover travel expenses for foreign teams.

    What are the benefits of participating?

    Participants gain mentorship, training, and networking opportunities with fintech experts. Outstanding teams will also be considered for the IDDA Incubation Program, providing further support, visibility, and market access.

    Who should I contact if I have more questions?

    For additional questions, please contact Ilayda Bahadıroğlu, Program Manager at Tenity Istanbul, at ilayda.bahadiroglu@tenity.com.

    How long does the program run?

    It’s a short and focused 3-day hackathon.