Global professional services network, Forvis Mazars, has reiterated its commitment to empowering and developing tech talents.

This was stated at its hackathon competition, themed: “Innovate with Forvis Mazars,” which united young innovators, professionals, and students, promoting collaboration to tackle real-world challenges through technology.

Partner of Forvis Mazars, Adams Osamudiame, explained that the hackathon aligned with the firm’s goal of empowering people and communities by leveraging their ideas and resources. He added that it was a platform to engage diverse talents, including students and professionals, to generate innovative solutions that could translate into viable business opportunities.

Stating the selection of mentors, judges and logistics as challenges faced, he highlighted the importance of extending the impact of the hackathon beyond the event.

“These ideas shouldn’t just end here. Our goal is to develop them into market-ready products that can benefit participants, clients, and the broader community,” he stated.

The winning team, Team Genie, comprising Sodiq Bolawale, Aishah Abdulwaheed, and Babatunde Mumuni, won the prize of $1,000 with a score of 78.54 per cent. Their innovative project is an AI-driven chatbot designed to simplify the auditing process by streamlining data retrieval.

Speaking about the project, the team said: “Our product aims to reduce the stress and time associated with audits. Integrating AI into the auditing workflow positions Nigerian audit firms at the forefront of technological advancement.”

Despite facing tight deadlines and diverse academic backgrounds, the various teams collaborated effectively, learning new skills and overcoming challenges. They lauded their mentors and organisers for invaluable guidance.

Team Smart Audit, the first runner-up, earned $600 with a score of 71.34 per cent. Their project focused on automating the analysis of financial documents, addressing the tedious nature of this task. While the second runner-up, Team Kainos, who equally scored 71.34 per cent, received $400.