Hackathon
Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
Open Tech Hackathon 2025
Overview
In 2025, I led the first Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain hackathon organized in Pereira, Colombia.
The event was created through the collaboration of technology companies, open source communities, academic organizations and public institutions interested in strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem.
Hosted at Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, the hackathon brought together approximately 50 participants including students, software developers, entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts.
Context
The primary goal of the event was to provide a practical environment where participants could experiment with emerging technologies while building solutions to real-world problems.
The initiative aimed to increase local exposure to Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain technologies and modern product development practices.
The event was supported by organizations including Avalanche, DailyBot, the regional Economic Development Secretariat, the CINCO community, multiple research groups from Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira and members of the local technology ecosystem.
Event Leadership
As the event lead, I participated in coordinating several key aspects of the hackathon, including:
- Strategic planning.
- Partner coordination.
- Competition structure design.
- Community outreach.
- Technical mentoring.
- Project evaluation.
Teams composed of two to five members collaborated to design and build solutions using AI and Blockchain technologies.
Results
During the event, approximately ten teams presented their projects.
Submissions were evaluated based on:
- Innovation.
- Technical feasibility.
- Potential impact.
- Presentation quality.
- Use of emerging technologies.
At the end of the competition, three winning teams were selected and awarded for the quality of their solutions.
Community Impact
Beyond the competition itself, the hackathon created opportunities for students, developers, companies and institutions to connect and collaborate.
The event encouraged discussions around:
- Applied Artificial Intelligence.
- Blockchain and distributed systems.
- Technology entrepreneurship.
- Open innovation.
- Community-driven development.
It also highlighted local talent and encouraged the creation of future technology initiatives within the region.
Skills Demonstrated
This event showcases experience in:
- Technical Leadership
- Community Building
- Event Organization
- Artificial Intelligence
- Blockchain
- Team Coordination
- Innovation Management
- Technical Communication
- Ecosystem Development
Why This Event Matters
Building strong technology ecosystems requires more than software development.
It also requires creating opportunities for people to learn, collaborate, experiment and transform ideas into real products.
The Open Tech Hackathon represents an effort to strengthen the local technology community while making emerging technologies more accessible to future developers and entrepreneurs.
Recruiter Notes
This experience demonstrates competencies in:
- Technical leadership
- Community building
- Event organization
- Artificial Intelligence
- Blockchain
- Cross-organizational collaboration
- Innovation management
- Technology ecosystem development
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Open Tech Hackathon?
It was the first hackathon in Pereira focused on Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain technologies.
Where was it held?
The event took place at Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira in Colombia.
Who supported the initiative?
The hackathon was supported by Avalanche, DailyBot, the regional Economic Development Secretariat, the CINCO community and several academic and technology organizations.
How many projects participated?
Approximately ten teams presented solutions during the competition.
How many people attended?
Around 50 participants attended, including developers, students and members of the technology community.
What skills does this experience demonstrate?
Technical leadership, community building, event organization, team coordination and the promotion of emerging technologies.