The final day of the InnoFin Hackathon 2025 was held on December 10, 2025, at the premises of the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro (STP MNE). The event focused on the development of innovative fintech solutions and the promotion of financial inclusion. The hackathon was organized with the support of the Central Bank of Montenegro and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care, and Demography, further strengthening the collaboration between institutions actively contributing to Montenegro’s digital transformation.

The event brought together young innovative teams, experts in technology and finance, mentors, and representatives from institutions and the business sector, creating an inspiring environment for the development of ideas.

The final day of the InnoFin Hackathon began with opening remarks from key representatives of the organizers and partners.

The Executive Director of the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, Valentina Radulović, welcomed the participants and guests in her address, emphasizing the importance of innovation in the financial sector and the role of STP MNE in encouraging young talents to transform their ideas into concrete digital products. She highlighted that the hackathon serves as an important platform connecting institutions, the business community, and academia.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro,  Irena Radović, phd, addressed the participants with a message on the importance of a responsible and innovative approach in creating financial solutions. She emphasized that the CB of MNE is committed to developing a modern, secure, and inclusive financial system, and that events like this contribute to strengthening digital literacy and financial accessibility for all citizens.

Radivoje Drobnjak, Programs Manager, on behalf of the mentoring team, presented the key facts and interesting insights regarding the teams’ work throughout the hackathon, and specifically highlighted:

• The participation of 19 teams and 62 participants in the first round of activities, making this hackathon one of the largest in the field of fintech innovations in Montenegro.
• Two series of mentoring sessions, conducted online, provided equal access to support for all participants.
• During the sessions, significant progress was observed in the quality of ideas, particularly regarding the technical approach, the definition of the user problem, and the business model.
• The mentoring team, composed of eight experienced experts, conducted over 50 consultative sessions, providing detailed support to the teams in preparing their final presentations.
• Based on a pre-selection, a list of 10 finalists was formed, who earned the opportunity to present their projects to the jury.

Following the opening segment and a review of the competition’s progress, the competitive portion of the program commenced.

The ten selected finalists presented their solutions through five-minute presentations, after which the jury had an additional five minutes for questions and comments. The participants showcased a wide range of solutions — from digital platforms and AI tools to applications for financial education and inclusion.

The jury evaluating the best ideas consisted of:

• Zorica Kalezić, Vice Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro
• Valentina Radulović, Executive Director of the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro
• Arnela Šabanović, representative of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care, and Demography

The jury evaluated the solutions based on innovation, feasibility, social impact, potential for implementation, and benefits for end users.

Winners of the InnoFin Hackathon 2025

1st place – AIS Solutions – For a technically advanced, scalable, and clearly defined solution.

2nd place – Account4All – For a digital solution that strongly contributes to financial inclusion and service accessibility.

3rd place – Račun za sve – For a creative solution based on the practical needs of users.

A special recognition was awarded to the InkluNovac team, the youngest team of this year’s hackathon, consisting of students from the “Vaso Aligrudić” Secondary School of Electrical Engineering in Podgorica. Their idea was recognized for its creativity, enthusiasm, and potential for further development.

The final part of the hackathon concluded with the awarding of prizes, acknowledgments to partners and mentors, and a message from the organizers that collaboration with the winning teams will continue through the support programs of the STPMNE innovation ecosystem and partner institutions.

The InnoFin Hackathon 2025 confirmed that Montenegro possesses strong potential for the development of new digital and financial solutions, especially when young innovators are at the forefront.