Malaysia's Largest Intervarsity Hackathon Unites 21 Universities Through PayNet's Efforts
PayHack 2025, the largest intervarsity hackathon in Malaysia, took place recently, organised by Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) in collaboration with Ant International and the PayNet Akar initiative. The event, held at Xsolla Curine Academy in KL Eco City, saw more than 400 students from 21 universities participating in a 48-hour sprint to reimagine the future of payments.
The hackathon began in June with over 90 team submissions. After preliminary and semifinal rounds, 17 finalists gathered to showcase their innovative ideas. Shafenaz Farouk, PayNet's Chief People Officer, stated that PayHack is a platform for young innovators to reimagine what's possible and lead with purpose, collaboration, and creativity.
Shafenaz Farouk is a business executive known for her role in corporate leadership, notably serving as a senior figure in international companies, often involved in strategic management and organisational development. She emphasised that through PayHack, they are nurturing the next generation of changemakers who will shape the future of payments with innovation, integrity, and impact.
The winning team, RoadTo20K from Universiti Malaya, won with BizKuKu, a digital platform for small businesses. BizKuKu helps small businesses with low digital literacy handle registration, payments, and marketplace integration. The team was awarded RM20,000, with a total of RM55,000 in prizes distributed among the participants.
Second place went to Roti CanAI from Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), followed by Pineapple Donkey from Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Da House from APU, and TapirPay from Universiti Sains Malaysia. Special awards were given to X-Chain from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and PEPE from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Judges for the competition included leaders from PayNet, Ant International, Setel Ventures, the Fintech Association of Malaysia, and the Malaysian Business Angel Network. Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) supported PayHack 2025, and the event was also backed by BizKuKu, a platform that offers financial insights and AI-driven funding recommendations.
In conclusion, PayHack 2025 was a resounding success, fostering innovation and creativity among young minds in the realm of payments. It serves as a testament to the potential of the next generation to shape the future of this vital industry with their innovative ideas and solutions.
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