Catalyst x Hududgaztaminot: a new format with a cybersecurity challenge

On 15 September, StartupFest ran Catalyst together with Hududgaztaminot. It was a new format for the programme: the real technical problems of a company that serves 4.5 million subscribers. Over the course of the day, more than 30 participants and 13 startups came face to face with a major corporation. The programme was open across several tracks — cyber security and ethical hacking, artificial intelligence, GPS and logistics, AI call optimisation, and digitalisation. A separate challenge was set for cybersecurity specialists and ethical hackers, the first time Catalyst has run that format. How the day went The day began by going inside the company. Through a presentation and a site visit, participants saw for themselves how Hududgaztaminot actually operates. Seeing real processes up close was the most valuable part of the day for the startups. Teams then split into groups and set about adapting their ideas to the company’s needs. Lunch was provided during the day, and the discussions and exchanges carried on through it. Pitches and pilots At the end of the day all 13 startups took the stage and presented the working solution each had built in a single day to a panel of experts. Every team received live feedback on the spot. The strongest teams go on to the chance to pilot their product inside the company.