HB Antwerp and WomHub to host innovation and sustainability-focused hackathon

HB Antwerp in partnership with WomHub, are hosting a fast-paced, sustainability-focused 1-day hackathon, an innovation event bringing together young Botswana final year students studying human resources, finance, communications, legal, and sustainability qualifications.

The hackathon provides 50 selected participants an opportunity to express their problem-solving and innovation skills and gain exposure to HB Antwerp, a leading Employer of young talent in Botswana. Participants will be guided through a process and asked to collaborate to design an innovation working towards solving a business challenge with the backdrop of the UN (United Nations) Sustainable Development Goals as a focus.

 There will be an opportunity for 30 successful participants to win a placement in the 2^nd edition of the HB Innovation Lab program set to begin in September.

“We want to provide a platform for Botswana students to share their vision and ideas for shaping Botswana’s sustainable future. Together with WomHub, our mission is to create real experiences, communities, and learning environments for local talent in Botswana. We enable meaningful participation in economic decision-making at all levels of our business so that opportunity and prosperity are shared,” says Margaux Donckier, Director of Public Affairs, HB Antwerp.

Anjani Harjeven, COO at WomHub shares that “We’re in a time where community and business challenges require innovative and creative thinking from those who understand the environment best and who are invested in a sustainable and prosperous future. In partnership with HB Antwerp, we are developing young Motswana leaders of the future to bring their incredible talents to the forefront and play an active role in problem solving. The hackathon is a method we’ve used successfully to harness energy and creativity for these sustainable outcomes.”

Building on the success of the 2021 HB Antwerp Innovation Lab, HB Antwerp aims to extend job opportunities to high performing participants who successfully complete the program. This will be an intensive five month-long virtual program which includes meaningful working material, mentorship, and live masterclasses with subject matter experts. Participants in the program will improve their skillsets, including innovation, gain a greater understanding of the future world of work, and enhance their confidence in public speaking and networking.

The next iteration of this intensive program will take place virtually over five months and will include

1. Gain exclusive access to resources on innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, and employability skills.
2. Gain a greater understanding of the future world of work.
3. Develop a meaningful business idea that solves a problem in your community.
4. Enhance confidence in public speaking.
5. Build your network of industry experts and peers and learn how to leverage that network.
6. Gain the opportunity to be recruited by HB Antwerp in January 2023.

In line with HB Antwerp’s fundamental commitment to invest in and strengthen the communities where they operate, the program aims to support the Botswana economy, foster long-term talent development, and create economic fairness and brand exposure for young and emerging graduates, while furthering sustainability and diversity and inclusion in the diamond industry.