CAPAi Innovation Challenge Bootcamp 2024
Cultivating the Future of Entrepreneurship in Kurdistan
- Impact Hub Duhok
The American University of Kurdistan’s (AUK) Center for Academic and Professional Advancement (CAPA) has long been committed to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of the region. This year, their flagship initiative, the CAPAi Innovation Challenge Bootcamp, showcased a new generation of innovative thinkers and problem-solvers. The 2024 bootcamp, which ran from July 22 to August 4, brought together 42 driven participants from various universities in the region, igniting a creative passion that resulted in impactful tech startups.
A Journey of Innovation
In 2023, the CAPAi bootcamp focused on civic tech, educational tech, and health tech, leading to the development of two promising startups: SoloMedic and O7. These initiatives aimed to address pressing societal challenges, exemplifying the potential of youth-led innovation in Kurdistan. Over the past two weeks, participants of the 2024 bootcamp dedicated countless hours to refining their business ideas, crafting impactful sales pitches, and honing their entrepreneurial skills through interactions with expert coaches and speakers.
Raffi Simonian, the Program Director from UCLA and Facilitator for the CAPAi bootcamp, played a vital role in guiding the participants. “The Innovation Challenge consists of a diverse group of students and professionals. Our goal is to foster social impact through education, tourism, and fintech,” he remarked. “The iterative process of design thinking is key to understanding problems first before proposing solutions.”
"I joined with zero business knowledge, and now I feel prepared to continue my entrepreneurial journey,"
Pitch Day: A Showcase of Talent
August 4, 2024 marked the culmination of the bootcamp with an exhilarating Pitch Day where six dedicated teams showcased their tech-driven solutions. Teams such as SevenCo, WizKid, Finnovation, Funders, Biscuits, and Pathfinders presented their innovative concepts to an audience of distinguished judges, business leaders, and community representatives.Loucine Hayes, CAPA Director, expressed her immense pride in the participants. “It took six months of preparation to achieve this day. The hard work these teams put in over two weeks was intense, but their clarity and professionalism during presentations made every moment worth it,” she said. “The Impact Hub Duhok is set to open soon, allowing all participants to continue their entrepreneurial journeys.”
Celebrating the Winners
The event concluded with a heartfelt congratulations to the top three teams awarded for their innovative solutions. The first place went to “WizKid”/EdTech Track for their educational app “RojKidz”, transforming lessons into interactive functions for K-12 students. “Education is fundamental, and we aim to make learning engaging and effective for all students,” said Alan Ali from the WizKid team.
Second place was secured by “Pathfinders”/Tourism and Hospitality Track, whose “Ashub” app presented an Augmented Reality solution which enhances cultural preservation in the tourism sector. “Using this app, tourists will experience the culture and heritage of the past,“ said coach Herish Badal.
“Biscuit”/Tourism and Hospitality Track, claiming the third position for “GuideHub”, an app that gamifies tourism by offering pre-set adventures, “Every tourist deserves not just a visit but an adventure filled with stories and culture,” coach Ahmed Al-Kheerow noted.
All participating teams were rewarded with prizes that included memberships to Impact Hub Duhok, set to launch in October 2024, allowing them continued access to invaluable resources as they progress in their entrepreneurial ventures.
Voices of Inspiration
The impact of the CAPAi Bootcamp resonated beyond the presentations. Participants and judges alike voiced their admiration for the program’s potential. Yasemin Sener, a UNHCR Iraq Associate Officer, stated, “The ideas presented were not just innovative—they’re practical solutions to real-life problems. I believe many of these young entrepreneurs will shine brightly not just in Kurdistan, but across the region.”Participants echoed similar sentiments. “This bootcamp has been transformative for me,” said Fatimah Hussein Ali, a team member. “Navigating through uncertainty during the design thinking phase really helped us enhance our creativity.”
“I joined with zero business knowledge, and now I feel prepared to continue my entrepreneurial journey,” expressed Zilan Bayar Obeid from the WizKid team, thrilled about their first-place finish.
Be part of the challenge!
Do you have an idea that would change Kurdistan for the better? We are all ears!