🚀 My AI Hackathon Experience in Bogotá – Building FIABLE

Landing in Bogotá with no expectations and just a backpack, I had no idea I'd walk away with a finalist AI app, amazing teammates, and unforgettable inspiration.

This blog shares what we built, how we built it, and why I’d do it all over again.

⚡ 3 Days. 1 Hackathon. A Lifetime of Value.

From Saturday, August 23 to Monday, August 25, I was part of the IA Hackathon in Bogotá, Colombia—a fast-paced, high-energy event focused on building innovative AI products.

Despite the short stay, the experience was deeply impactful. We brainstormed, built, and bonded fast—and the results surprised even us.

⚙️ What We Built: FIABLE

FIABLE is a WhatsApp-based AI assistant that helps users manage their personal finances automatically.

🔑 Key Features:

• Extracts payment receipts from Gmail inboxes
• Logs data using n8n workflows and stores it in Supabase
• Allows users to set savings goals
• Provides a dashboard showing financial performance
• Sends real-time updates via WhatsApp using the Evolution API

We designed FIABLE for simplicity—no apps to install, no spreadsheets to fill out. Just smart automation in your pocket.

🧰 Tech Stack:

• n8n – Workflow automation (Gmail + Supabase logic)
• Supabase – Database and auth layer
• v0.dev – Quick frontend prototyping
• Evolution API – WhatsApp communication

👨‍💻 My Role: Technical Lead & Vibe Coder

I led development for the n8n automation, which powered email parsing, receipt detection, and memory storage.

With a team of five people—three from Colombia and two from Peru—we collaborated efficiently, using our diverse skills to bring FIABLE to life in under 48 hours.

🏆 Finalist at the Hackathon (WhatsApp Track)

After showcasing our demo, FIABLE was selected as one of three finalists in the WhatsApp App category—a proud and unexpected win for our team.

🌎 Immersed in Bogotá’s Tech Vibe

Though I was in Bogotá from August 23 to 25, I experienced a lot:

• Stayed in La Castellana, a peaceful, green neighborhood
• Enjoyed sunny but chilly mornings
• Loved the calm, quiet nights—perfect for focused coding
• Enjoyed local food like arepas, pandebono, and limonada de coco

💬 Mentors, Makers & Connections

This wasn’t your average hackathon. It was full of brilliant LatAm builders and inspiring leaders.

I had the chance to meet:

• Adrián Mastronardi – CTO at Habi
• Andrés Bilbao – Co-founder of Rappi
• Anthony Cueva – Next.js Global Hackathon Winner

The event was powered by the Makers Fellowship—a community of top-tier Latin American developers and dreamers.

💡 What I Learned

• Execute fast, but with clarity. Understand the real problem before building.
• Team communication = everything.
• Taking risks opens doors. I came to Colombia alone, and left with a crew.
• Done is better than perfect. Deadlines are a feature, not a bug.

✈️ Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely. In a heartbeat.

I’d 100% recommend this to anyone who wants to push themselves, build quickly, and meet amazing people along the way.

Next time, I’ll stay longer and explore more of Bogotá’s tech scene and cultural gems.

🔗 Useful Links

• n8n – Open Source Automation
• Supabase – Firebase Alternative
• v0.dev – AI UI Prototyping
• Evolution API – WhatsApp Dev Tools
• Want to attend the next Hackathon? - Check this post

🧠 Final Thoughts

Three days.
One product.
Countless insights.

This hackathon reminded me why I love building—and why taking leaps into the unknown often leads to the most rewarding outcomes.

🤝 Let’s Connect

Curious about the project? Have ideas or just wanna geek out about AI?
Hit me up on LinkedIn — always happy to connect.