Let's take Carousell, for example. Ever stared at a closet full of clothes you never wear or wished to find unique secondhand treasures? Carousell totally gets it. This mobile marketplace for buying and selling pre-loved items wasn't born in a Silicon Valley garage—it sprang to life at a hackathon in Singapore. Today, Carousell is worth over $1 billion, connecting buyers and sellers in a bustling online marketplace.

Group texts getting out of hand? GroupMe emerged from a hackathon to streamline group communication. This platform let users have seamless group chats and soon became a favorite way for staying connected. Skype bought it for $85 million, showing how a simple idea can go big

Drowning in repetitive tasks between different apps? Zapier is an automation tool that came out of a Startup Weekend. It lets users connect various apps and automate tedious tasks. From a hackathon project to a big name in automation, Zapier proves that solving everyday hassles can lead to huge success. In 2021, it was valued at $5 billion, or 5 unicorns.

Why not? Cyprus is rapidly emerging as an international tech hub, with local talent and relocated experts shaping its diverse landscape.  The upcoming Quadcode HackAIthon promises to be a significant event in this evolving scene. 

Scheduled for June 15-16, 2024, it invites top talent to develop cutting-edge fintech solutions using AI. With over 350 applicants from more than six countries, the prestigious selected teams and individuals promise an epic battle. The top team will win €30,000, with additional prizes for the runners-up and third place.

Interested in attending as a guest? You can apply for a spot by sending an email to [email protected]. Limited seats are available, so hurry up.

Hack you there!