On November 29, 2023, ByteFest 2023 AI Hackathon—hosted by Grange Labs—brought together some of the brightest minds in artificial intelligence and technology for an intense night of competition, collaboration, and innovation. The annual event, designed to drive AI-powered solutions for real-world challenges, crowned Navisa as the top innovation, recognizing its groundbreaking approach to AI-driven talent management and personalized learning.
Inside ByteFest: A Hub for AI Innovation, Competition, and Collaboration
ByteFest provided a platform for innovators to develop and present scalable AI solutions with real-world impact. Competing teams had just hours to build, refine, and pitch their AI-powered projects to a panel of distinguished judges, who assessed entries based on innovation, feasibility, user experience, and market potential.
Expert Judging Panel
The judging panel included industry leaders with expertise in product, marketing, and AI applications:
Gbemisola Taiwo – Senior Product Manager, assessing real-world applicability.
Olawale Mayowa – Product Marketing Manager, evaluating AI’s role in market positioning.
Temitope Smith – Product and marketing expert at the intersection of EdTech and AI.
Lolade Olumuyiwa-Biala – EdTech Product Manager, focusing on AI’s impact on education.
Gbemisola Jaji – Fintech Product Manager, evaluating financial and business applications.
Navisa: AI-Powered Talent & Learning Innovation Wins Big
Following an intense round of live pitches and demonstrations, Navisa, developed by Team Findert, emerged as the top innovation of the competition. Led by Peace Oladipo (Business Analyst) and Jemimah Edidiong (Product Manager), Navisa is an AI-powered talent management and visa eligibility platform designed to help businesses and individuals identify, match, and upskill global talent efficiently.
What Sets Navisa Apart?
Navisa’s AI-driven platform offers:
Intelligent Eligibility Assessment – Uses AI to analyze user profiles against visa and job market requirements, recommending the most suitable pathways.
Automated Document Generation – Dynamically creates tailored checklists and templates for visa applications, streamlining the process.
Real-Time Application Tracking & Notifications – Ensures users stay informed and reduces application abandonment rates.
Personalized Learning & Career Growth – Matches talent with relevant job opportunities and upskilling resources to enhance employability.
The judges were particularly impressed by Navisa’s scalability and real-world impact. “Navisa is a game-changer in AI-powered talent development,” said John Onifade, emphasizing its potential to redefine how businesses and professionals navigate global workforce mobility.
As winners, Team Findert received $50,000 in AWS credits, Bolt tokens, and dedicated marketing support to accelerate Navisa’s growth and adoption.
Other Standout Innovations at ByteFest 2024
ByteFest 2024 also showcased several other cutting-edge AI solutions, including:
DigitBooks.com – An AI-driven financial planning platform that helps SMEs optimize data-driven analytics for business growth.
Waysue.com – An AI-powered job-matching tool that intelligently connects employers with the most suitable candidates.
Virthub.co – A virtual workspace leveraging AI to enhance remote team collaboration and productivity.
Another high-performing team, Team Blanter, led by Adeoluwa Bamidele (Business Analyst) and Ikechukwu Onyeukwu (Product Manager), received special recognition for their AI-driven business automation tool, designed to streamline enterprise operations and decision-making.
The Future of AI Innovation: What’s Next for ByteFest?
Beyond the competition, ByteFest 2023 fostered an environment for networking, mentorship, and future collaboration. Participants had the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, investors, and AI experts, strengthening the AI and tech ecosystem in the UK and beyond.
As AI continues to redefine industries, GrangeLabs remains committed to empowering professionals, entrepreneurs, and emerging talent to lead in the evolving digital economy.
Save the Date for ByteFest 2024!
The next edition of ByteFest is set for November 2024 and will be hosted at hackathon.venturetabs.com. With this year’s momentum, the upcoming event promises even more groundbreaking AI solutions and opportunities for tech innovators.
Navisa’s victory at ByteFest underscores the transformative power of AI in reshaping global talent mobility and workforce development. As AI-driven startups continue to rise, ByteFest is proving to be a launchpad for the next generation of AI-powered breakthroughs.
