World Economic Forum Global Shapers [London]: Kopfadeyemi Challenge 2016

The Kopfadeyemi Challenge is an intense, fun and high energy weekend event. Smart-minded people form teams to brainstorm and develop solutions to the problems of real-life African organisations, businesses and initiatives. The team that presents a solution that best meets the needs of the African healthcare organisation wins the competition.

Typically, a hackathon (a hacker buzzword) is an event where teams of computer programmers collaborate and compete against each other to come up with the best solutions to a defined problem in a very short time frame (~24-72 hours). We instead, are having people (not just computer programmers) compete over the weekend (Feb 26th - 28th) to come up with solutions for African healthcare initiatives. After a Friday evening kick-off event, teams will have the weekend to work on a challenge that the African healthcare business/organisation faces. The team that presents the best solution as determined by expert judges will win the challenge prize and potential seed-funding money.

Individuals and teams of people in Africa will also be taking part. 

The Kopfadeyemi Challenge is about more than just thinking up good ideas for leading African healthcare organisations. You’ll experience how to work (or compete!) with colleagues and friends on the Continent as well as dreaming and building, failing and finishing in rapid time. The Kopfadeyemi community is built around opportunities to work with emerging African Healthcare organisations and future leaders on really interesting challenges. Make change happen with your ideas.

Is it for you?

The Kopfadeyemi Challenge is a great and really fun way to use your unique talents to affect positive change in the world. Techies and non-techies will get involved. Medical and non-medical people are welcome. Developers, entrepreneurs, artists, educators, business professionals, students, everyday people and more! We’ve learned that teams with people from different backgrounds come up with REALLY great ideas and form relationships that last beyond the weekend.

Our attendees will typically consist of smarter-than-the-average type people; most will have a passion for Africa and there will be a good mix of medical and non-medical type people. At the London end, we will have people from the Diaspora who are well versed in the challenges businesses face in Africa, and there will be people who are really talented and just dipping their toes into 'Africa'. We will have junior developers looking to improve their skills and senior developer types looking to expand their horizons. We will have students who can stay up the whole weekend thinking and working on ideas, and we will have experienced professionals who can flex their phonebooks and bring strong insights at the drop of a hat.

Do I need to come with a team?

It’s not 100% necessary. If you don’t have a team now, don’t worry. We will have team formation processes before things kick off, including opportunities for you to form teams with individuals on the Continent who want to participate and don't have teams. 

What do I need to bring?

You might want to bring your own computer or mobile devices, Google Campus do not provide this. We will provide high-speed wifi, power strips, whiteboards, and plenty of caffeine!

Is this an overnight competition / ‘hackathon’?

No, but it can be if you want it to. The competition starts right after the Friday evening kickoff. Google Campus will be open at all times during the weekend and you are welcome to bring your pillows and sleeping bags if you so wish!

What are the African healthcare organisations, businesses and initatives taking part?

We have an interesting range of organisations taking part. They are important national or sub-regional African organisations working to improve healthcare in Africa. A couple are not-for-profit organisations and a couple will be profit-making businesses. We have lined up organisations that will be interesting, some of which you will have heard of. Further details will be provided to those who register and are selected.

Further details of the event, including schedule and judging process will be provided to those who register and are selected to participate.

Many people will apply to participate. Our space at Google Campus can only support a limited number of participants and as much as we'd like to take everyone, it just will not be possible.

The fairest way to decide who we invite is by asking everyone to tell us a little bit about themselves. Please buy your ticket and begin your application early to avoid dissapointment

Refund Policy: No refunds will be granted within 7 days of the event as food and drink will have already been ordered. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Terms of Participation Agreement: It is our job to provide you with a fun and incredible networking and learning opportunity. The event is intended to be a collaborative forum for sharing, learning, building, and having fun about the challenge of solving problems in Africa. As such, by registering as a participant, you acknowledge that any ideas shared by you or anyone else over the course of the event are contributions to the overall experience and community. As a member of this community, you agree to to be inclusive of any and all people and their ideas. You agree to act professionally, treat everyone with respect, and treat the event facilities with proper care. You agree that you are responsible for any accidents or damages that you cause. You also agree to not hold The Kopfadeyemi Fellowship, The World Economic Forum Global Shapers, or any of the event supporters liable for any loss, damage, injury, or any other unforeseeable incident.