Looking back at Dev Expo 2024: The Biggest Event for Haitian Developers
After two years of absence, Dev Expo made its big comeback in 2024, bringing a breath of enthusiasm and optimism to the Haitian tech community. This long-awaited event was officially announced on August 20, 2024 by Marc Alain Boucicault, CEO of Banj, triggering excitement in the tech community.
Since the last edition, held in 2021, the following years had been marked by the cancellation of this flagship event due to the instability that reigned in the country. However, despite the many challenges still present, the organizers chose to take up the challenge of organizing this edition, demonstrating the resilience and commitment of the Haitian tech community.
Organized by Banj and Syntax Studio, Dev Expo is much more than just an event: it is a true catalyst for the technology sector in Haiti. This annual gathering offers local developers an exceptional platform to showcase their projects carried out during the year.
The event also plays a key role in connecting essential actors: developers, incubators, investors, business leaders and technology enthusiasts. Its ambition is to be a showcase for technological achievements in Haïti and a bridge to international opportunities.
This year, the theme was: “Sipòte kwasans startup teknolojik ki gen gwo enpak an Ayiti”. It reflected the main objective of Dev Expo: to encourage the creation and growth of technology startups that have a significant impact on the economic and social development of the country.
To better understand the needs and expectations of Haitian developers, a survey was launched on August 23, 2024. It invited developers to share their experiences, the projects they had worked on during the year, as well as the challenges encountered.
At the same time, motivational videos and memories from previous editions were published regularly between August and November 2024. This content aimed to revive enthusiasm around the event and motivate the community to actively participate.
One of the highlights of this edition was the launch of a technological challenge, offering participating teams the opportunity to win a prize of 10,000 US dollars. This competition, officially announced on September 23, 2024, aimed to stimulate innovation in strategic sectors:
- Artificial intelligence
- Creative industry
- Health
- Finance
- Education
- A free category, called Moonshot, for bold projects.
Interested developers had until October 1, 2024 to submit their applications via an online form.
After receiving more than a hundred applications for the challenge, 22 teams were selected to participate in the competition. Among them, promising projects such as JwennJob and Gastwo Market, from the dynamic community of Coding Club Haiti, stood out for their originality and potential for impact. These teams convinced the jury during the pre-selection phase thanks to their innovative ideas and their determination to meet the challenges of the Haitian technology sector.
The selected teams benefited from two months of intensive acceleration within the Banj ecosystem. This program included technical workshops led by experts such as:
- Florian Alvarez
- Jean Pierre Vertil
- Marc Alain Boucicault
- Didier Ganthier
- John Sterlin Duverseau
In parallel, training sessions in business strategy were provided by mentors such as Marc Alain Boucicault. The objective was clear: each team had to not only present a functional prototype of its project, but also develop a solid business model capable of generating revenue and maximizing its impact.
- Members: Schneider Chéry, Israel Roberthson, Gaston Jean Louis Fils François
- Description: An application that allows you to manage multiple payment methods (MonCash, Stripe, PayPal, etc.) on a single platform.
- Members: Kendley Borno, Célestin Jean-Pierre Stanley, Désinat Christian
- Description: HOPES is an innovative platform dedicated to school management. It allows schools to manage all of their activities, including online courses, student management, teacher management, and administrative processes. This solution aims to modernize education in Haïti by offering practical and effective technological tools for schools.
- Members: Brumaire William Boamson, Guillaume Kingsley, Wood Smith Brinvil
- Description: A site dedicated to job search in Haiti, connecting job seekers with local businesses.
- Members: Yguyta Charles, Venslee Merilan, Marie Kemlyne L. Felix
- Description: A platform allowing users to share their experiences and demands with local businesses, in the hope of finding solutions.
- Members: Doulens Mars, Jovany Antoine
- Description: A spell checker and dictionary in Haitian Creole, aimed at improving written communication.
The finalist projects were evaluated by a panel of judges composed of professionals recognized for their expertise and commitment to technological development in Haiti. This panel included:
- Certil Remy, developer and founder of Katkat Game
- John Sterlin Duverseau, COO of Banj
- Marie Aimé Changlais, developer
- Kenley Jean, developer
- Didier Ganthier, developer
- Marc Alain Boucicault, CEO of Banj
Their mission was to evaluate the projects not only on their technical aspect, but also on their potential for impact and the viability of their business model, thus ensuring a rigorous and balanced analysis.
After captivating pitches in front of a jury composed of local and international experts, Revandika Media was named the big winner of the challenge. This project impressed with its potential for social impact, its originality and its economic feasibility.
The success of Dev Expo 2024 would not have been possible without the support of partners such as:
- The American Embassy
- The IDB (Inter-American Development Bank)
- Transversal
- JobPaw
- ESIH (École Supérieure d’Infotronique d’Haïti)
- CHOKARELLA
The event also welcomed prestigious speakers, including Corinne Cathala (IDB), Marc Alain Boucicault, and Patrick Attié (ESIH).
Dev Expo 2024 was a true celebration of the creativity, innovation, and resilience of Haitian developers. This event demonstrated that Haïti is full of talent and projects capable of competing on the international stage.
As eyes turn to the next edition, it is clear that Dev Expo will continue to play a vital role in the country’s technological growth.
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About the Author
Appolon Guy Alain
Appolon Guy Alain
Full Stack Developer, Créatif, expérimenté, passionné des nouvelles technologies et de l’art.
First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.
Natural beauty
Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.
Heritage
Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Culture
Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.
