The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today launched the third annual Young Innovators competition, inviting young entrepreneurs to submit ICT solutions to global challenges.
The competition calls for 18 to 26 year olds worldwide to submit their tech-based solutions to one of six global challenges specified by the ITU, in a bid to find innovative new responses to the problems using cutting-edge technology.
“This competition for young ICT innovators represents a wonderful opportunity to uncover creativity, innovation and talent in solving serious challenges that impact upon us all,” said Hamadoun I. Touré, ITU Secretary-General.
The six challenges which submissions must focus on are: improving employment opportunities for young people and migrant workers; reducing food and water wastage at an individual and retail level; facilitating access to public services for the elderly; improving natural disaster prediction and response; improving road safety for drivers and pedestrians; and protecting sensitive personal data and inspiring the creation of local digital content.
“The Challenges reflect the most urgent spheres of life where ICTs could have a significant and wide-ranging impact. The competition seeks pragmatic, market-oriented, scalable solutions making use of connected technologies, such as augmented reality, mobile apps, 3D printing or geospatial tracking,” the ITU said.
Ten finalists will be selected, in time to showcase their solutions at the ITU Telecom World conference in 2013, to be held in Bangkok.
The finalists stand to win up to US$10,000 in seed funding to scale winning startups and up to US$5,000 to implement winning concepts.
The deadline for initial submissions is June 30.
