Innovation hackathon concludes at Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh

As part of the activities accompanying the Money20/20 Middle East 2026 conference and exhibition in Riyadh, the Financial Market Innovation Hackathon concluded today. The event was organized by the Financial Academy in collaboration with the Capital Market Authority and in strategic partnership with Sahm Financial, aiming to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges in the Saudi financial market.

Since its launch, the hackathon attracted more than 500 applicants, with 60 participants advancing to form multidisciplinary teams. Twelve innovative ideas reached the final stage, involving developers, data scientists, designers, and financial sector specialists.

Following evaluations by a panel of leading experts and specialists, the team "Idraj" was awarded first place, while "Hawkamtek" took second and "Flok" finished third.

The hackathon was organized to support innovation in the financial market and empower talent to leverage modern technologies in developing practical, applicable solutions, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the financial sector and supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Separately, the Financial Academy concluded its participation in Money20/20 Middle East 2026 today, showcasing a range of its programs, initiatives, and professional training solutions aimed at developing human capital in the financial sector at its dedicated booth.

The Academy's booth was visited by Capital Market Authority Chairman Mazen bin Turki Al-Sudairi, who reviewed the key initiatives and programs presented during the conference.

In collaboration with STC Bank, the Academy also hosted a series of specialized awareness sessions throughout the conference, covering the future of the financial sector, jobs and skills for 2030, assessments and competency evaluations, the importance of professional certifications, innovation in finance, financial decision-making, professional readiness and ethics, anti-fraud measures, and cybersecurity.

The Academy's participation in the conference highlights its role in developing human capabilities, enhancing the professional readiness of national talent, and building partnerships that help keep pace with the rapid transformations in the financial sector.