- Improve employment opportunities for young people and migrant workers
- Reduce food and water waste on a personal and commercial scale
- Facilitate access to public services for the elderly
- Improve the prediction of natural disasters and the response to them
- Improve road safety for motorists and pedestrians
- Protect confidential personal data and inspire the creation of local digital content
These are the most urgent challenges where ICTs could have significant and diverse consequences. The competition is looking for pragmatic, market-oriented, and adaptable solutions that leverage connected technologies such as augmented reality, mobile applications, 3D printing, and geospatial tracking.
The proposals can be concepts, well-researched or documented ideas that have not yet been implemented, or new businesses that are already in the market but need funding to move to the next stage.
Proposals can be submitted by simply filling out the form at http://world2013.itu.int/participate/innovate/ and sending it to
Ten finalists selected by a committee of experts will be able to attend ITU Telecom World 2013, a platform for high-level discussions, networking and knowledge dissemination, as well as an ICT presentation, which will take place from November 19 to 22 in Bangkok, Thailand, on the theme "Embracing Change in a Digital World".
The finalists will collaborate with our public and private sector partners to develop their initiatives and refine their solutions in the global market in the lead-up to ITU Telecom World 2013. At the event itself, they will be able to attend sessions offering advice and guidance, workshops on entrepreneurial skills, opportunities to meet and network with major ICT players, and the chance to showcase their projects in a dedicated pavilion. Seed capital prizes of up to USD 10,000 will be awarded to launch and scale winning startups, and up to USD 5,000 to develop winning concepts.
"This competition for young ICT innovators is a wonderful opportunity to showcase creativity, innovation, and talent to address the major challenges we all face," said Hamadoun I. Touré, ITU Secretary-General. "We look forward to facilitating and fostering new concepts and creative ideas, and showcasing them on the global stage at ITU Telecom World 2013 in Bangkok.".
The deadline for submitting initial contributions is June 30, 2013 at 24:00 GMT +2
