Build Innovative Solutions to Real Fintech Challenges
Join Kennesaw State University’s Fintech Hackathon and put your skills to the test! Work in teams to solve real-world challenges in the financial services industry, like improving payment security, boosting financial access, or simplifying compliance. Past student projects have included AI financial coaches, regulation-savvy chatbots, and instant cross-border payment systems. Whether you're into coding, design, or business strategy, this is your chance to innovate, collaborate, and make an impact. Why wait for the future of digital payments when you can help build it today?
Registration for the Fall 2025 Fintech Hackathon is now closed.
A panel of expert judges of academics and working fintech professionals will evaluate
each pitch, awarding the following prizes:
1stPlace: $4000 2ndPlace: $3000 3rdPlace: $2000
What You’ll Do
Assume the role of fintech consultants and develop a pitch for your boardroom
Solve a case representing a real-world fintech challenge
Follow a structured process using a provided Product & Requirements Plan template.
Use your strengths in business analysis, product management, systems thinking, or
tech.
Collaborate across disciplines. The event is open to students from all backgrounds,
not just coders.
Build an optional prototype (wireframes, mockups, clickable demos, or a simple app)
if you have the skills
Who Can Participate
The hackathon is open to all students in the USG. Essentially, anyone can join as
long as they have some knowledge of Financial Technologies or the ability to gain
the knowledge prior to the event.
All Majors, All Schools are Welcome
No advanced coding required: We will provide everything you need to understand design thinking and vibe coding.
Don't have a team? No worries, register as a free agent and we will assign you to a team.
KSU Vibes Coding + Prompt Engineering Certificate
Our partner Vibes.DIY is providing access to their platform in collaboration with the KSU FinTech Program. Together, we’ve created a Vibes Coding + Prompt Engineering Certificate, hosted on LearningChain.io. This professional credential, in conjunction with your portfolio, will help your
resume stand out.
This credential highlights your expertise in design thinking, prompt engineering, and coding fundamentals. By completing the workshops alongside the hackathon, you’ll stand out from your peers, validate your skills, and gain practical experience for real-world applications in AI and FinTech. Once you register, we’ll add you to our Microsoft Team for the hackathon, where you’ll find all the step-by-step instructions.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain hands-on training, earn a credential that sets you apart, and be part of the next wave of innovation in this AI-driven world.
Hackathon Judging Criteria
Team apps will be judged on the following criteria:
30% for the Problem Understanding & Framing: Ability to clearly identify the problem and articulate user and stakeholder needs.
15% for Product Plan: Ability to clearly define the product vision, value and key features.
15% for Requirements Plan: Ability to clearly define functional and non-functional requirements, supported by user stories and use cases.
30% for Solution Feasibility & Innovation: Is the solution balanced with creativity, innovation, scalability, and viability.
20% for Market and Business Strategy Clarity: Are the strategies clearly defined (i.e., go-to-market and business model).
20% for Presentation and Communication: Is the presentation clear, concise, organized, and compelling?
(Bonus) 5% for Prototype and/or MVP: Quality and utility of wireframes, mockups, or working demo.
Hackathon Schedule
Time
Activity
8:00 am – 9:45 am
Registration & Networking Students/Volunteers arrive, check in, and enjoy light refreshments
9:45 am – 9:55 am
Transition & Final Seating Students/Volunteers move into the main session space and prepare for the keynote address
10:00 am – 10:15 am
Keynote Address Delivered by Dr. Arlene Beckles A welcome message and keynote
10:30am – 10:45 am
Speaker Session I Delivered by Ingenico CTO Patrick Blanc
10:15 am – 10:30 am
Speaker Session II Delivered by Sapphirus Systems CEO Kiran Athota
11:00 am – 11:25 am
Welcome Session & Problem Reveal Welcome the teams/volunteers and reveal the official challenge
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Review of Product & Requirements Templates Discussion and overview (open up for questions)
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Working Lunch & Mentorship Opportunities Informal networking with mentors
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Work Time Teams work to solve the main challenge
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Dinner Mini Challenge Reveal & Work Students work on a focused challenge prompt and eat dinner
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Mini Challenge Work Students refine the mini challenge project
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Work Time Continue main challenge development
8:00 pm
Closing Remarks & Acknowledgments Shout out to Speakers, Partners, Volunteers, & Students
Students may stay until 10 PM before they have to leave
Time
Activity
8:00 am – 10:00 am
Check-in & Breakfast Students/Volunteers arrive, check in, and have breakfast before sessions begin
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Opening Remarks Welcome back, and an overview of the day’s events
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Work Time & Mentorship Opportunities Teams continue to refine their project and can opt to receive guidance from mentors
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch & Pitch Registration Teams eat lunch and register for the afternoon pitch session
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Work Time (Final Touches) Teams finalize pitches and prepare presentations
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Pitch Presentations Teams present their solutions to the judging panel
4:30 pm
Awards & Wrap-Up Final raffle, team awards, and official closing
Register Here
All students who want to participate in the Fintech Hackathon should register individually
using one of the forms below. Please complete all registrations by October 7th, 2025.
Register as a Team
Team registration is now closed.
Register as a Free Agent
Free Agent registration is now closed.
Sign Up to Volunteer
Volunteer registration is now closed.
Raffles
We will have raffles to include an electric bike from Orion Electronics, Inc.
