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Looking back at Dev Expo 2024: The Biggest Event for Haitian Developers
Looking back at Dev Expo 2024: The Biggest Event for Haitian Developers
Looking back at Dev Expo 2024: The Biggest Event for Haitian Developers

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.

Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

A unique platform for innovation

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.

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Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

A survey to take the pulse of the community

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.

Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

A high-level technological challenge

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.

Haïti Wonderland: Technology at the Service of the Haïtian Narrative
Haïti Wonderland: Technology at the Service of the Haïtian Narrative

Haïti Wonderland: Technology at the Service of the Haïtian Narrative

On this 220th anniversary of the legendary independence of Haïti, a new initiative is born on the web: Haïti Wonderland. Launched on January 28, 2024, this innovative site’s mission is to revolutionize the way Haïti is perceived online, by highlighting its natural, cultural, historical and human assets. b~An Ambitious Vision~b Haïti Wonderland aspires to a significant change in the perception of Haïti on the Internet. The goal is clear: when you search for “Haïti” on search engines, you should be greeted by beautiful images and inspiring stories. The team behind Haïti Wonderland wants to transform the web to allow only the beauty and wealth of this country to emerge, thus reflecting Haïtian reality. b~Authentic and Immersive Content~b To achieve these goals, Haïti Wonderland regularly publishes news articles and special blogs highlighting Haïti’s beauty, historic destinations, exquisite cuisine and anything else that can spark Haïtian pride. The emphasis is on promoting a positive and authentic image of the country. The experience offered to visitors to the site is also out of the ordinary. Thanks to virtual reality, you can explore the treasures of Haïti from anywhere in the world, providing total immersion in the splendor of this jewel of the Antilles. b~Smart Support and Rewards~b Haïti Wonderland goes beyond by integrating artificial intelligence on its site. This AI is there to provide visitors with all the information they need about Haïti, thus guiding their journey through the site in an interactive way. And that’s not all ! Haïti Wonderland offers an incentive compensation program for contributors. You can earn money by publishing blog posts on the site, rewarded based on the number of views generated. b~Commitment to Narrative Change~b The founder of Haïti Wonderland, Appolon Guy Alain, sees his initiative as a way to actively participate in changing the Haïtian narrative on the Internet. It is open to any collaboration and support aimed at achieving this common objective of improving the image of Haïti online. Through Haïti Wonderland, Appolon also wishes to raise awareness among online media to stop broadcasting demeaning images of Haïti that contribute to tarnishing its reputation. He calls for collective commitment to present the best version of Haïti. To discover the beauty of Haïti from a new perspective, visit the website: https://haitiwonderland.com or download the application from Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id =com.appographic.haitiwonderland. For all correspondence, contact them by email at contact@haitiwonderland.com. Haïti Wonderland: Rediscover, Share, Marvel.

Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

Personalized support for teams

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.

Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

The 5 finalists of Dev Expo 2024

Among the 22 initial teams, 5 projects stood out and were selected for the grand finale, held on December 7, 2024:

Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

1. Monetah

- 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.

Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

2. HOPES

- 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.

Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

3. JwennJob

- Members: Brumaire William Boamson, Guillaume Kingsley, Wood Smith Brinvil
- Description: A site dedicated to job search in Haiti, connecting job seekers with local businesses.

Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

4. Revandika Media

- 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.

Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

5. Predika

- 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.

Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

The verdict: a champion project

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.

Dev Expo
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

Reputable partners and speakers

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
Dev Expo
Dev Expo

A Celebration of Resilience and Innovation

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
Appolon Guy Alain

Full Stack Developer, Créatif, expérimenté, passionné des nouvelles technologies et de l’art.

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Jean-Jacques Dessalines, leader of the Haitian Revolution

In the annals of the history of Haiti, an island located in the Caribbean at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico and shared with the Dominican Republic, Jean-Jacques Dessalines emerges like a phoenix from the ashes of oppression. Born a slave on September 20, 1758 in the home of Henri Duclos, in Cormier (Grande-Rivière-du-Nord), in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, Dessalines was a Creole of African (Afro-Caribbean) origin. Freed during the 1794 abolition achieved through slave revolts, actually served as an officer in the French army during the French Revolution. At that time, the ideas of freedom and equality were at the heart of the concerns of the inhabitants of the colonies. Dessalines actively participated in the fighting against the Spanish and British forces, alongside the French, in Santo Domingo. Having risen to the rank of Lieutenant General, Jean-Jacques Dessalines turned against the French during the Leclerc expedition, sent to Saint-Domingue by Bonaparte to reestablish colonial authority and slavery during the Haitian Revolution. After the capture and deportation of Toussaint Louverture to France on June 7, 1802, Dessalines assumed a leading role in continuing the struggle for independence. He led numerous battles, including the battle of Crête-à-Pierrot in March 1802, where he galvanized his soldiers with his famous declaration: “Let those who want to remain slaves of the French leave the fort, let those, on the contrary, who want to die as free men, line up around me.” On January 1, 1804, Jean-Jacques Dessalines achieved the long-awaited goal of independence by proclaiming Haïti as a sovereign nation, becoming the second country in the Americas to gain independence from a colonial power. He became the first leader of the newly formed nation and was named Emperor under the name James I. However, his imperial reign was marked by authoritarian and brutal policies, including the massacre of many white settlers and the redistribution of land to peasants that was in the hands of the generals of the independence army. In addition, he organized the hunt for delinquents in the city while implementing rigorous agrarian policies, considering that they represented a threat to the stability of the nation, these controversial actions caused divisions within Haitian society. Dessalines was assassinated on October 17, 1806 following a plot organized by some of his generals in the Haitian army. His death marked the end of his brief but influential period in power. Despite the controversies surrounding his methods, he is recognized as the main architect of Haiti’s independence and his name was honored in 1903 by being attributed to the Haitian national anthem, La Dessalinienne, composed by Justin Lhérisson.Finally, the great visionary man Jean Jacques Dessalines remains an emblematic figure in the history of Haiti, recognized for his role in the fight for independence and the end of slavery in the region.

Haiti: The Center department, one of the departments most resistant to natural earthquakes

The Center department, commonly called Plateau Central, is one of the ten (10) departments of Haïti most robust in the face of certain natural phenomena. Before becoming one of the ten (10) departments of Haiti, the Center department was part of the Great North. It is renowned for its natural landscapes, its biosphere climate and its resistance to certain natural phenomena. In addition to its natural productions such as corn, millet and livestock, the Center department is also known for its high mountains which constitute a robust defense against certain natural phenomena such as earthquakes and floods. Composed mainly of high mountains, the department of Charlemagne Peralte and Benoît Batravil is the only one of the ten (10) not to have an outlet to the sea. However, its inhabitants take advantage of the vast rivers, rivers and lakes which cross it . With an area of ​​3,487 km², the population of the Center department is estimated at 678,626 according to a study carried out in 2009. On this same area, the department is divided into four (4) districts and twelve (12) communes. Bordered to the east by the Dominican Republic, the Center department connects other departments of the country such as Nord and Artibonite, and connects the two countries of the island through border areas like Balladère, Hinche and Cerca Carvajal. In the Center department, there are sites that could attract tourists for their natural beauty. In Saut d’Eau, there is the Saut d’Eau waterfall, in Hinche we find the Zim basin, the Péligre lake, the Péligre hydroelectric dam, the Artibonite river, and the Deux river (2 ) Rooms in Thomonde, more precisely in "El Manni", not far from the communal section of Caille-Epin. Thanks to its strong mountains and its natural climate, the Center department remains one of the most resistant departments in the event of an earthquake in Haiti.

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History

History

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

Natural beauty

Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

Heritage

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

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.

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