Home Credit Philippines marked a major milestone in its innovation journey with the successful staging of its first-ever AI in UX Fintech Hackathon, an initiative that placed artificial intelligence, design thinking, and youth empowerment at the center of fintech innovation.
Held in partnership with KadaKareer, the nationwide competition gave more than 400 students and fresh graduates a rare opportunity to work on real-world industry challenges alongside seasoned professionals.
Drawing participants from over 60 schools across more than 15 provinces, the hackathon challenged young talents to develop AI-driven solutions for actual fintech use cases.
By bridging classroom theory with hands-on application, the program pushed participants to transform ideas into practical, consumer-focused innovations—mirroring the realities of today’s fast-evolving digital finance sector.
The initiative reflects Home Credit’s broader commitment to nurturing future-ready talent as it continues to evolve as a digitally driven, AI-powered organization. Beyond building technical skills, the hackathon emphasized creativity, critical thinking, and continuous learning—qualities the company sees as essential to shaping the next generation of fintech leaders.
Participants were immersed in an experience designed to go beyond competition. With mentorship from Home Credit experts and KadaKareer coaches, teams refined their concepts, learned structured pitching, and navigated a process that closely resembled real industry environments. From onboarding to solution development, the journey prepared them for the demands of a technology-led future.
Following several rounds of mentoring and evaluation, the top 10 teams advanced to the finals held at Home Credit’s head office in Bonifacio Global City on December 11. There, they presented their solutions before company leaders and industry experts. Three teams, composed of 14 students, emerged as top performers, earning recognition and guaranteed internships with Home Credit—providing a direct pathway from innovation to professional growth.\
Strong leadership support underscored the company’s belief that meaningful AI transformation starts with people. Home Credit President and CEO David Minol, Deputy CEO Teeraphong Mahatham, Chief Information Officer Susan Ong, and Head of Collections Technology, AI, and Delivery Rahul Sharma joined other senior executives in backing the program, reinforcing the view that technology delivers impact only when paired with empowered minds.
“The greatest AI transformation begins within ourselves. While technology evolves rapidly, true innovation happens when people are empowered to think differently, learn continuously, and apply new ideas with purpose. This hackathon proves that young talents can effectively harness emerging technologies to create solutions that respond to real consumer needs,” said Mahatham, adding that the initiative strengthens the company’s confidence in the future of consumer finance.
KadaKareer played a pivotal role in expanding access to opportunity, engaging students from diverse academic and regional backgrounds and connecting them with real business challenges. “Many young Filipinos have the skills and determination to succeed but lack access to real opportunities. This partnership gave students the chance to test their ideas, present with confidence, and see their potential recognized,” said Sean Kalzada, program operations manager of KadaKareer.
Home Credit said initiatives like the AI in UX Fintech Hackathon form part of its long-term investment in people, innovation, and inclusive growth—ensuring that as technology advances, Filipino talent advances with it.
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Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.