From December 7 to 9, the National Incubation Center (NIC) Islamabad hosted the Jazz SDG Hackathon 2018, organized by Jazz (VEON Group) in partnership with Code for Pakistan. The two-and-a-half-day civic tech event brought together over 100 young entrepreneurs, coders, and innovators to develop technology-driven solutions aligned with five UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being
• SDG 4 – Quality Education
• SDG 5 – Gender Equality
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

With participation from 29 teams from across Pakistan, and support from mentors, speakers, and judges — including Parliamentary Secretary on Youth Affairs, Ms. Kanwal Shauzab — the hackathon showcased the power of cross-sector collaboration for sustainable development.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration is Key to Civic Innovation

As the fourth chapter in a series of civic hackathons, the event demonstrated how technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact can converge when diverse stakeholders come together. The hackathon featured panel discussions and mentorship sessions with experts from the public, private, and development sectors. The SDGs served as a unifying framework, connecting participants with a shared goal of building inclusive and sustainable communities.

When Mobile Operators and Startups Join Forces

Jazz enabled participating teams to access its digital services—including location APIs, carrier billing, IVR, and payment tools—helping them prototype civic solutions quickly and effectively. During the event, Jazz reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the startup ecosystem by offering winning teams a chance to join the Jazz xlr8 Accelerator Program at NIC Islamabad.

"Pakistan ranks behind most South Asian countries on key Human Development Indicators. Initiatives like these help support the government in addressing these challenges," said Ali Naseer, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer at Jazz.

Spotlight on Winning Solutions

Participants worked intensively over the weekend and pitched their solutions to a panel of nine judges, including three women. In addition to cash prizes totaling PKR 150,000 (USD $1,078), the winning team received a wildcard entry to Jazz xlr8.

• First Prize: Team Vixen – Smart Bra: A wearable device equipped with sensors for early detection of breast cancer.
• Second Prize: FideTech – A low-cost, portable water impurity testing solution.
• Third Prize: Dost – A data-driven platform to support mental health awareness and community engagement.

Several other standout projects included:

• A smart food redistribution app developed by Team JASONS, connecting surplus food from restaurants and homes to those in need.
• A solar energy and smart waste management solution addressing Pakistan’s urban utility challenges.

Looking Ahead

The Jazz SDG Hackathon 2018 exemplified how inclusive innovation can be driven by youth, technology, and a shared civic purpose. We thank Jazz, NIC, and all participating partners for making this event a space where bold ideas were not only welcomed—but accelerated.