Every builder in the TAIKAI community has a unique story to tell, and starting today, we’ll be bringing forward the stories of our builders and their inspiring journeys! Today, we get to meet Akanimoh Osutuk!
Akanimoh is a builder with many hackathons under his belt but he’s also a pediatric doctor in the UK’s NHS who has merged his passion for medicine and builder skills to build many solutions to address patient data management with blockchain technology.
His background and journey are nothing short of amazing, and today, you’ll get to know the story of Akanimoh and how he’s merging his skills across different fields to improve healthcare for patients!
How many hackathons have you participated in, and what led you to join your first one?
I have actively participated in over 10 hackathons. My first hackathon came about while I was working as the Digital Transformation lead at a hospital in Nigeria. My team was developing an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, with a focus on cloud-based solutions. However, it became clear that while the system was efficient, it lacked two key elements: robust privacy and a patient-centric approach.
Healthcare data is incredibly sensitive, and the systems we were working on needed to empower patients to take control of their own data while ensuring secure, authorized access for healthcare providers. I saw the hackathon environment as the perfect opportunity to experiment with new technologies — like decentralized systems and smart contracts — that could address these challenges. My first project was a privacy-focused, patient-centric solution that used blockchain to give patients control over their medical records.
The experience was transformative. Hackathons push you to solve complex problems quickly and creatively, collaborating with diverse teams under intense time constraints. That first hackathon opened my eyes to the potential of rapid innovation, and it’s why I’ve continued to participate. Each event has allowed me to apply what I’ve learned — whether it’s refining smart contracts, building healthcare solutions, or creating privacy-enhancing technologies. These events have become a crucial part of my journey, where I can merge my technical skills with my passion for problem-solving.
Can you tell us a bit about your experience in hackathons? Which projects did you develop, and what was your biggest takeaway from the events?
My hackathon journey has allowed me to explore and innovate in the healthcare and blockchain space, combining my skills in technology and my passion for improving patient data management. One of my earliest and most memorable projects was ‘Immunify,’ a submission for the Cartesi hackathon. The goal was to create a decentralized virtual machine capable of managing and manipulating health data. This project was born out of my role as a digital transformation lead at a hospital in Nigeria, and it was also my first-ever hackathon — and the first I won. The experience of working on a decentralized solution that could securely handle sensitive healthcare data opened my eyes to the potential of blockchain in healthcare.
Another significant project was ‘Immunify 2.0’, which I developed during the Polkastarter Blokness hackathon. This time, I experimented with tokenizing patient health records, aiming to promote interoperability between healthcare systems while enhancing data privacy. The challenge here was to ensure that patients could control their health records while enabling secure sharing with authorized entities. This project allowed me to dive deeper into the concept of privacy-preserving technologies in healthcare.
Most recently, I participated in the MultiverseX hackathon, where I created ‘Beautiful Health,’ a decentralized genetic data management and processing platform. This project focused on enabling individuals to securely store, share, and process their genetic information in a decentralized manner, with privacy as a core priority. It was exciting to push the boundaries of what’s possible in genetic data management using blockchain.
Across all these hackathons, my biggest takeaway has been the importance of combining innovation with practicality. The hackathon environment forces you to quickly iterate, test, and refine ideas while working with diverse teams. I’ve learned that a winning project isn’t just about the best technology — it’s about solving a real-world problem in a way that’s scalable and user-friendly.
Have you participated in a TAIKAI hackathon before? What was your experience like?
Yes, I’ve participated in several TAIKAI hackathons, and each one has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The platform is designed to foster creativity and collaboration, and I’ve found it to be a great space for pushing the boundaries of decentralized innovation. In TAIKAI hackathons, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals from different fields, which has helped me bring my ideas — such as privacy-focused healthcare systems and decentralized genetic data management — to life.
One thing that stands out to me about TAIKAI is the sense of community. The platform encourages participants to share knowledge, support one another, and experiment with novel technologies. Each hackathon has allowed me to refine my technical skills while also gaining insights from others who are just as passionate about solving complex problems through technology. Overall, TAIKAI has been a key part of my hackathon journey, and I look forward to participating in many more events on the platform.
Which TAIKAI hackathon was your favorite, and why?
My favorite TAIKAI hackathon was the Cartesi hackathon, where I developed ‘Immunify.’ At the time, I was working as a foundation year doctor while also being involved in the hospital’s digital transformation team. I wanted to create a system that would allow true ownership of patient data — something I had been passionate about for a long time. Cartesi provided the perfect opportunity to make that vision a reality. Its decentralized virtual machine allowed me to build a solution that was both scalable and privacy-focused, ensuring that patients could have full control over their health records.
One memory that stands out from that hackathon is the pitch ceremony. I had to present my pitch in my clinical director’s office, and I was constantly interrupted by my lovely nurses, who were always so supportive. It was an amusing but memorable experience — trying to balance my clinical responsibilities while working on such an exciting project. That hackathon not only gave me the tools I needed to create ‘Immunify’ but also showed me the power of decentralized technologies in healthcare.
Do you think hackathons foster a sense of community among participants? How so?
Absolutely, hackathons are one of the best environments for fostering a sense of community. The collaborative nature of hackathons brings together people from diverse backgrounds — developers, designers, and even those with non-technical skills — who are all focused on solving complex problems. There’s a shared excitement that comes from working on something innovative, and it creates a strong sense of camaraderie.
In my experience, participants are always eager to help each other, whether it’s brainstorming solutions, sharing knowledge, or offering technical support. This collaborative spirit extends beyond the event itself, with many participants staying in touch, continuing to collaborate on projects, or simply exchanging ideas long after the hackathon is over.
Hackathons also provide mentorship, and you often find yourself learning not just from your peers but also from the experienced professionals who are there to guide you. That combined learning environment strengthens the community, as everyone contributes in their own way. For me, the connections I’ve made during hackathons — both personal and professional — have been invaluable, and many of those relationships have continued long after the hackathons ended.
Have you made any lasting connections or friendships through hackathons?
Yes, I have. I’ve met two incredible people through hackathons, and we still keep in touch to this day. We connected on Discord during one of the events, and we’ve become ‘pen pals’ of sorts, regularly sharing ideas and updates on our projects. We’re actually planning to participate in another hackathon together in the near future. It’s great to have formed these lasting connections, and it’s one of the things I love about hackathons — they really help you build a network of like-minded individuals who share the same passion for innovation.
How do you handle the pressure and time constraints of hackathon competitions?
Handling the pressure and time constraints of a hackathon comes down to a mix of preparation, focus, and adaptability. First, I make sure to break the project down into manageable tasks and prioritize the most critical features that need to be built. I focus on developing an MVP (minimum viable product) that addresses the core problem rather than getting caught up in perfectionism.
Teamwork also plays a huge role. By clearly defining roles and leveraging each team member’s strengths, we can efficiently distribute tasks, allowing everyone to focus on what they do best. Constant communication helps to ensure that everyone stays on track, and if we hit a roadblock, we adapt quickly.
Another key aspect is maintaining a sense of balance. While the time constraints can be intense, taking short breaks helps clear my mind and reset my focus. I’ve found that pacing yourself, even in a high-pressure environment, leads to better decision-making and more creative solutions.
In your opinion, what makes a winning project in a hackathon?
A winning project in a hackathon solves a real-world problem in an innovative yet practical way. While creativity and originality are important, the best projects focus on delivering a solution that is not only technically impressive but also addresses a tangible need. Whether it’s in healthcare, finance, or any other sector, a project that provides clear value to its users and can scale beyond the hackathon often stands out.
Another key factor is simplicity in execution. Given the limited time, it’s crucial to focus on developing a solid MVP that highlights the core functionality of the solution. Projects that try to do too much tend to lose focus, so I always aim for something that works well and demonstrates the potential for growth.
Lastly, presentation matters. How well you articulate the problem, your solution, and its impact can make a big difference. A clear, concise pitch that shows the judges why your solution is necessary, and how it could be implemented in the real world, can set your project apart.
What do you believe sets hackathons apart from other events targeted for developers (for example, conferences)?
Hackathons differ from conferences in that they are highly action-oriented. While conferences are great for learning, networking, and discussing new ideas, hackathons provide an environment where those ideas are immediately put into practice. They force you to move from theory to execution in a very short time, which can be both challenging and exciting.
Another key difference is the level of collaboration. Hackathons push you to work with people from different disciplines, which is crucial for problem-solving in real-world scenarios. It’s not just about coding — it’s about developing a product or solution from the ground up, often under extreme time constraints. The hands-on experience and real-time collaboration in a hackathon environment are what make it such a unique and impactful event for developers.
What advice would you give to someone participating in their first hackathon?
My advice would be to focus on the learning experience rather than just winning. Hackathons can be intense, but they’re also incredible opportunities to experiment with new technologies, meet like-minded people, and push the boundaries of your creativity. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try something new, even if it’s outside your comfort zone.
Another important piece of advice is to manage your time effectively. Break the project down into small, achievable milestones and prioritize the most critical features for your MVP. You don’t have to build everything — focus on making something that works and clearly addresses the problem you’re solving.
Lastly, enjoy the process! Hackathons are a lot of fun, and even if things don’t go exactly as planned, you’ll come away with valuable lessons and new connections.
That’s a wrap for today!
If Akanimoh’s story inspired you, we’d love to hear yours! If you have a story to share about your own experiences in hackathons or how you’re innovating in your field, we’d love to hear from you!
Reach out to us, and you could be the next community member featured in our series!
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