Gilang Jalu Selo, a seasoned software engineer at Mitrais, has been making waves in the tech world through his winnings over several esteemed hackathons. His debut at OCBC Hack@on 2022, marked a significant milestone, as his team clinched first place with an innovative banking solution. His success story continued with other first-rank victories at Mitrais Innovathon-6 in 2023 and Tech in Asia x BRI FutureMakers Challenge the following year. How could all these achievements be possible for Gilang? This article follows Gilang Jalu’s adventure of perseverance and hackathon triumphs.
Mitrais: A Breeding Ground for Innovation
For Gilang, his 10 years with Mitrais have been instrumental in fostering his drive for innovation. ”The company encourages creativity and supports its employees’ passion for technology as evidenced by its annual Innovathon,” Gilang says. “This event empowers us to propose and develop breakthrough solutions to real-world problems.” He adds, “It’s the perfect environment for those who want to make a difference. Also, Mitrais has a track record of implementing some of the winning ideas, demonstrating the commitment to innovation.”
Hacking His Way to Success through Hackathons
What started as a simple curiosity and a desire to challenge himself has since evolved into a fascination to explore new frontiers and think outside the box. “My introduction to hackathons began when I formed the Semboja team with two former Mitrais colleagues: Havit Choirul Rovik and Andang Rian Dimas.” The team’s first competition was OCBC Hack@on 2022 where they developed a WhatsApp-based banking solution.” He recalled, “The experience was intense, involving an all-night prototype development session. Despite fatigue, we successfully pitched and demoed our solution to the judges, ultimately winning first place.”
This early success ignited a spark within Gilang. He continued his hackathon journey in 2023, participating in the Mitrais Innovathon-6 with Irfan Bawa Suteja and Mohammad Trinoferianto as the AI-stimation team and securing another first-place victory with an AI-powered project estimation tool for efficient project management. “Joining the AI-stimation team was a game-changer,” he says. “We had to dive deep into AI, a field we weren’t experts in. By seeking out resources and collaborating on troubleshooting, we were able to develop a strong understanding of the technology.” Amazingly, in 2024, Gilang reunited with Semboja for the Tech In Asia x BRI FutureMakers Challenge, once again achieving first place with payment solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.
Reaping the Fruits of Hackathons
Hackathons have been instrumental in Gilang’s professional growth. By participating in these events, he has been exposed to cutting-edge technologies like AI and has levelled up his skills in creative problem-solving, teamwork, and technical expertise. These accomplishments underscore his unwavering dedication to creativity, resilience, and continuous learning. His journey serves as an inspiration to individuals seeking opportunities for innovation and growth, both personally and professionally.
One of the most significant benefits of participating in hackathons, according to Gilang, is the opportunity to learn and grow. ”The IT industry is constantly evolving,” he explains. ”To stay ahead, you need to be curious, experimental, and embrace new challenges.
A Call to Action
Gilang’s milestone is proof of the power of passion, perseverance, and collaboration. By embracing challenges and seizing opportunities, he has not only achieved personal success but has also contributed to the advancement of technology.
For aspiring hackathon participants, Gilang offers some valuable pieces of advice: ”Don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know what you might achieve. Form a diverse team with complementary skills and be open to learning from others.”
Gilang added, “You never know if your idea could be a winning one until you try.” So, jump in with both feet, embrace the challenges, and let your creativity soar.”
