ITU call for ideas

ITU Telecom World 2011 has launched a competition where 60 young innovators will win the chance to pitch their ideas to industry leaders at ITU Telecom World in Geneva which is being held from 24 to 27 October.
ITU Telecom World 2011 has launched a global competition that gives 60 young innovators and digital innovators the chance to come to the event in Geneva (October 24-27) to pitch their ideas to the ICT industry.

The three entrants from each category must have the best all-round concepts which will be voted for online by delegates attending ITU Telecom World 2011. The winners will share prize money totalling over CHF 50,000 to help them realise their digital dreams.

Industry mentors will also continue to work with the six winners after the event to help them turn their vision into reality.

Would-be innovators simply submit their idea online in one of two competition categories:

Entries will be judged on innovation, feasibility (technical implementation/cost) and applicant experience (ability to deliver). ITU Telecom World’s online community will initially vote on their favourite submissions, with the 60 most popular ideas from each category then submitted to a high-level selection panel of independent experts from the public and private sector, who will choose the finalists.

In addition to the chance to win one of six cash prizes, the competition is designed to offer finalists an enriching experience that will help them better succeed in the competitive world of ICT development. As well as the chance to build a valuable network of new professional contacts worldwide, all contestants will have their pitches filmed and uploaded to YouTube, Facebook and the ITU Telecom website, to give them and their great ideas maximum global exposure.

They will also be encouraged to blog about their experiences and their ups and downs on the ITU Telecom website during the two-day pitch development process, and to upload their own photos, videos and audio podcasts.
“The Young Innovators and Digital Innovators competition draw on our long-standing expertise in facilitating youth events and harnessing the power of fresh, digital thinking,” said ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Touré. “Applications, services and products driven by next-generation networks can truly transform the everyday life of millions. These competitions offer a unique and exciting opportunity for young talent and digital innovators to receive the support, recognition and seed funding needed to turn promising digital ideas into valuable, working contributions to a better world.”

The deadline for submissions is 15 September. Young Innovators can enter online at: http://world2011.itu.int/young-innovators. Digital Innovators working with an NGO or not-for-profit can enter at: http://world2011.itu.int/node/add/idea.

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