Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC), a key player in Jordan’s startup ecosystem, has reinforced its commitment to regional tech talent by serving as the strategic partner for the MENA Space Game Challenge 2026 hackathon. The event, organized by MENA Engineering Education and Training (MENA ORG), brought together developers and creatives to build space-themed digital games in just 48 hours.
Quick Facts
- Strategic partnership led by Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC).
- 263 participants from Jordan and other Arab nations.
- Winning teams hailed from both Jordan and Egypt.
A 48-Hour Sprint for Space-Themed Games
The hackathon was hosted over two days at ZINC’s main facility in the King Hussein Business Park in Amman. The event, held under the patronage of Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship with Manzel Technologies as a technical partner, challenged participants to create innovative games inspired by space science and technology.
The competition saw 263 young participants from Jordan and several Arab countries apply, with 25 teams qualifying for the finals. Of these, 22 teams competed in person, while others from outside Jordan participated remotely. The core challenge was to develop a functional and creative digital game within a continuous 48-hour period, aiming to use gaming as an interactive tool for scientific education.
Jordanian and Egyptian Teams Dominate the Winners’ Circle
After the intense development period, the judges recognized teams from Jordan and Egypt for their technical skills and creative concepts. ZINC provided cash prizes to the winning teams to support their continued development.
The winners were:
- First Place: Astro Potatoes (Jordan)
- Second Place: Awj-3 (Jordan)
- Third Place: Pluto (Egypt)
- Best Storytelling: Marsyat (Jordan)
- Best Gameplay: Planet 4 (Egypt)
ZINC’s Strategic Push into Digital Skills
By providing the venue, a collaborative work environment, and financial awards, ZINC’s partnership goes beyond simple sponsorship. The move aligns with its broader strategy to foster digital skills, promote a culture of innovation, and prepare young talent for competition in the regional and global tech industry. The hackathon provided a focused platform for aspiring developers to gain hands-on experience in the growing digital games sector.
About Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC)
Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) is an initiative by Zain Jordan designed to support the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. It provides startups, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs with co-working spaces, mentorship, resources, and access to a network of industry professionals to help them develop and scale their ideas.
Source: Al Wakeel News
