Excitement filled the air as 161 enthusiastic participants came together for Joget NextGenHack 2024, a hackathon under the Joget Education, Innovation, Entrepreneurship (EIE) program. Organized in collaboration with Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU / APIIT), this hackathon served as a launchpad for young innovators to tackle real-world industry challenges with the Joget AI-powered low-code / no-code application development platform.

“The Joget NextGenHack 2024 was a fantastic platform for Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) computing students to bridge theory and practice, showcasing their innovative and technical skills,” said Ts. Dr. Tan Chin Ike, Head of School and Associate Professor at APU. “Low-code/no-code platforms like Joget empower software developers to focus on solving real-world problems by simplifying the development process.”

“This hands-on experience not only accelerates students’ learning but also equips them with industry-relevant skills and practices. By participating in this hackathon, APU computing students are better prepared to drive innovation and create impactful solutions in their future careers, aligning perfectly with APU’s industry-centric philosophy.”

Addressing Real-World Challenges  

161 participants from 44 teams tackled some of the biggest challenges facing industries today—ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), manufacturing, and fintech.

Unlike typical hackathons that are condensed into 24-48 hours, this initiative stretches across a three-week timeline, offering participants ample time to immerse themselves in the Joget platform. This extended period allowed them to learn the platform’s ins and outs, brainstorm ideas, and develop solutions tailored to real-world industry-specific challenges. 

The deeper engagement not only resulted in more thoughtful solutions but also ensured higher-quality final products, making the exercise more impactful and realistic while demonstrating how the fusion of technology, industry knowledge, and creative problem-solving can drive meaningful progress in the real world.

From Concept to Creations  

Over three weeks, all teams worked collaboratively, brainstormed, designed, and developed their solutions addressing Level 1 problem statements. The top 10 teams were then shortlisted to advance to the next phase: Pitching Demo Day, where they had one week to further enhance and fine-tune their solutions based on Level 2 problem statements, and present the final outcomes to a panel of industry judges.

Real-World Relevance and Practicality

The two-level evaluation process ensured that only the most impactful solutions reached the final stage, much like in the real world where iterative improvements and adaptability are key to success. This competition structure mirrored real-world scenarios, where solutions often evolve and adapt based on shifting needs.

By integrating Joget’s core principles of flexibility and ease of customization, the competition not only tested the teams’ creativity but also their ability to adapt and iterate on their solutions. Participants learned how to adjust their solutions over a specific timeframe, reflecting the constant adjustments required in workplace projects and industry solutions.

The evaluation of solutions was conducted with a focus on several key criteria:

• Application Completeness and Problem-Solving
• Innovation and Creativity
• Workflow Automation
• UI/UX Design
• Integrations
• Security and Data Privacy
• Presentation Skills

A Showcase of Talent

The excitement reached its peak on Pitching Demo Day, as participants showcased their solutions to the industry judging panel:

• Hasniza Mohamed, Director of Digital & Technology Innovation at UEM Sunrise Berhad.  
• Mustafa Othman, Software Engineering Manager at APU/APIIT.  
• Hugo Lim, Vice President of Customer Success at Joget, Inc.  

Their collective feedback was instrumental in enriching participants’ understanding of how to adapt their solutions with industry demands and optimize the impact in addressing real-world challenges.  

Celebrating Success 

Three teams stood out for their innovative solutions and well-executed presentations: Team Tech Titan, Team OoMak, and Team No Basic. Here’s a closer look at the top three winning teams:

1st Prize: Team Tech Titan  

Team Members: Lucius Wilbert Tjoa, Lim Jia Leong, Samantha Tee Ker Xin, Voon Kai Wen

App Name: Agnitio  

Overview: Agnitio redefines fintech operations by automating data validation, integrating OCR and JSON API for seamless document processing, and enhancing security through multi-factor authentication (MFA). Designed for SMEs, accounting firms, and large enterprises, this app helps improve efficiency, accuracy, and data security.

“Participating in the hackathon was an exhilarating journey of innovation and collaboration. Leveraging Joget’s low-code/no-code platform empowered our team to swiftly transform ideas into functional applications, streamlining development and allowing us to focus on creative problem-solving. This experience not only enhanced our technical skills but also demonstrated the profound impact of accessible technology in driving rapid, effective solutions to real-world challenges.”

2nd Prize: Team OoMak 

Team Members: Bodhidharma Ong, Emad Ebrahim Mohammed Al-Shaqtha, M. Tarek Hamwi, Basem Ghasan Mansoor Ali

App Name: Oomak Machinery Management App  

Overview: Designed for small and mid-sized manufacturers, Oomak automates maintenance scheduling, tracks downtime, and generates detailed reports, ensuring seamless equipment management without the high costs of custom-built systems.

“Participating in the hackathon was an incredible experience. Joget’s low-code platform empowered us to rapidly develop a robust solution without the usual complexities of traditional coding. The intuitive tools and flexibility allowed us to focus on solving real-world problems and bring our vision to life efficiently.” 

3rd Prize: Team No Basic  

Team Members: Cynthia Tan Xin Ru, Leong Jia Ni, Gan Teck Ann

App Name: Innovate Automate and Excel (IAE)  

Overview: Innovate Automate and Excel (IAE) helps small and medium-sized manufacturers digitize data storage, track maintenance schedules, and estimate future maintenance date using historical data, making operations more efficient and reducing the reliance on manual data storage. This one-stop app helps manufacturers streamline operations and boost efficiency.

“3 of us from No Basic really do not have any basics in coding, yet we managed to build an application from scratch using Joget. The platform’s simplicity and the support from the Joget Community helped us achieve something we didn’t think was possible.  Thanks to Joget, we from No Basic manage to pull this off.'”  

Beyond the Hackathon  

Joget NextGenHack 2024 wasn’t just about building applications—it was a catalyst for bridging the gap between academia and industry. By offering students the opportunity to work with an AI-powered low-code/no-code platform, the hackathon provided them with invaluable hands-on experience in real-world problem solving. Participants were not only introduced to Joget’s robust capabilities but were also challenged to develop practical solutions for industry-specific problem statements. This approach allowed students to apply their classroom learning in a real-world context, cultivating their creativity and problem-solving skills.

The hackathon emphasized the importance of accessible technology in fostering innovation, providing students with workplace-ready knowledge and skillsets that are highly valued in the industry, to build impactful solutions that address complex industry needs. It also underscored how emerging technologies, like low-code / no-code empower the next generation of innovators to shape the future of business and technology, ensuring that they are better prepared for the demands of the workplace.

Looking Ahead

As we close this chapter of Joget NextGenHack 2024, we’re already excited about what lies ahead. Through the Joget EIE program, we remain committed to inspiring the next generation of changemakers and creating opportunities to learn, innovate, and make a difference.

Stay tuned for more success stories and innovation from the Joget EIE program. If you are an educational institution, educator, innovator, or entrepreneur interested in the EIE program, get in touch with us at partner+eie@joget.com.