Zambian technology hub, BongoHive has just announced that it has started the process of selecting winning applications for the drone hackathon to be held later this month, after closing applications last Thursday.

Qualifying applications will be announced later this week.

The company also revealed that since the applications were opened in July, 164 applicants from all over Zambia responded to the call for young entrepreneurs to try and grab one of the 30 spots available for the five-day learning opportunity to be facilitated by American drone institution, the Global Air Drone Academy.

“Thank you to all who applied for the Drone Hackathon Zambia challenge!” BongoHive said in a statement. “We are currently reviewing the applications and will communicate with the applicants later this week.”

To run from the 24th until the 28th of August, the workshop will equip the budding entrepreneurs with know-how on how to relate drone technology to real-world practical solutions, how to safely operate and fly a drone, and the best ways to market their start-up ventures to prospective clients.

On the last day, applicants will have an opportunity to pitch their business plans to a panel of judges, who will then pick a first, second, and third place winner. The three winning pitches will receive a professional grade drone and business coaching to launch their new business.

To supplement and support the objectives of Drone Hackathon Zambia, a virtual symposium will be planned to broaden the dialogue with the drone industry and stakeholder community, with a more interactive, live event to be planned for when lock down restrictions are eased. 

The hackathon is supported by the Zambian civil aviation authority as well as the American embassy in Zambia.

We will keep an eye on it.