The CAN & Innovation Hackathon in Rabat was more than just a 48-hour competition — it was a powerful reminder of how fast ideas can turn into real solutions when the right people, energy, and mindset come together.

Hosted around the theme of innovation in African football, the hackathon brought together talented students, developers, designers, and entrepreneurs, all driven by one goal: build meaningful solutions for the future of sport and technology.

I had the chance to participate as a Prototyping Mentor, supporting teams throughout the entire ideation and building process. From defining the problem clearly, to structuring MVPs, wireframing, and validating ideas under time pressure — the experience was intense, inspiring, and extremely rewarding.

What impressed me the most was the mindset of the participants. In less than 48 hours, teams moved from raw concepts to tangible prototypes, learning how to:

Transform ideas into structured product concepts
Focus on user needs instead of features
Build fast, test early, and iterate smarter
Pitch their solutions with clarity and confidence

Beyond the technical side, this hackathon highlighted something very important: innovation in Morocco is real, growing, and driven by passionate youth. The energy in the room proved that with the right environment and mentorship, incredible ideas can emerge in a very short time.

A big respect to the organizers, mentors, and all participants who made this event a success. Experiences like this reinforce my belief in the power of community, collaboration, and hands-on learning.

Looking forward to contributing to more initiatives like this — and continuing to support builders who want to turn ideas into impact.