The Call for Code initiative has been running for four years. It is the largest tech for good initiative of its kind. The world is facing unprecedented, interconnected challenges and IMB believe technology can help, whether that is through challenges, deployments, or open source development. This competition is aligned with IBM’s initiative to invest $30 million over five years to use the full potential of technologies in order to protect the environment, save human lives and improve the future of the next generations.
The team, made up of four computer science students, all had a shared vision: bridging the gap between the Global North and South. Marvelous Jibogu, Ben Dawson, Bagha Charuduth, and Jameel Chagpar form one of two British finalist teams in the IBM Call for Code challenge 2021. Their solution, aptly called The Bridge, allows sellers living in the Global South to sell products to buyers in the Global North while cutting out the shipping process. Their solution has a positive impact on improving the quality of life for sellers living in the Global South, and at the same time helps combat climate change.
The team met as part of the Sheffield Startup - an annual event run within the Department of Computer Science with support from the Institute of Coding, Kollider and Barclays bank. Students from any discipline/subject are invited to join as well as recent graduates. The event aims to help develop entrepreneurship skills and the process of creating a Startup through a series of workshops, industry talks and workshops
What made you decide to enter the competition?
We weren't actually planning to participate in the challenge from the start, however we were informed about the challenge from John McNamara, a master inventor (and visiting fellow in the department) who we met during the Sheffield Startup event. After spending so much time developing our startup during this event, we made the decision to enter the competition. With the help and guidance of Andrew Stratton and the industry mentors that we met, we were able to pivot and improve our original idea, which later became The Bridge.
Can you give us an overview of your idea?
