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AirAsia set to unveil the first ever Airvolution Hackathon in March 2017
AirAsia set to unveil the first ever Airvolution Hackathon in March 2017
The recent announcement by AirAsia that it will open the first ever open innovation hackathon is good news to innovators around Asia. The program, which is dubbed the Airvolution Hackathon 2017: Spearheading Innovation in Asean, brings together bright minds from the 26 markets served by the airline.
Twenty teams will face off in a challenge to come up with creative ideas, applications, and tools that address a travel-related challenge that will be revealed to the teams later. Eligible participants include software engineers, developers, designers, and tech entrepreneurs.
Talking of the highly anticipated challenge, AirAsia’s group CEO Tony Fernandes said that the hackathon would provide the perfect platform for bright minds in the digital world to create new ideas as the airline marks yet another year in the digital world. It is this kind of forward thinking, he said, that makes AirAsia a leader in the airline industry in Asia and beyond.
“This year marks the emergence of AirAsia as a digital airline, and I believe this event can spur the kind of radical, creative thinking that will ensure AirAsia remains on the leading edge,” said Fernandes.
The hackathon will take place in AirAsia’s RedQ headquarters in Sepang, Malaysia. Those who intend to participate have until February 19, 2017 to place their applications. Teams that get chosen will be notified by March 9, 2017, in preparation for the two-day event which happens between the 18th and 19th of the same month. AirAsia has already announced they will provide transportation for successful applicants living outside Malaysia.
There’s a catch, though. The event is only open to those who are currently residing in any of the 26 markets covered by the company’s network, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Iran, Oman, Mauritius, Australia and New Zealand.
It is interesting to note that each of the teams will submit their responses to a team of technology and aviation experts for evaluation. Responses will be gauged on their level of originality, scalability, and execution. The winning teams will receive several prizes such as a cash prize, AirAsia BIG Points, as well as return tickets to any of the AirAsia tickets.
The event is sponsored by several companies, notable among them being Microsoft, AirAsia BIG Loyalty Program, and AirAsia Santan.
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AirAsia set to unveil the first ever Airvolution Hackathon in March 2017
Melo Villareal