First stage of ITU’s Young Innovators contest launched in partnership with Ooredoo

The first stage of the contest, which focuses on local digital content, has been launched in partnership with Ooredoo, which is supporting Qatar’s hosting of ITU Telecom World 2014. With experience in encouraging relevant local content and inspiring start-ups across the Mena region and Asia, Ooredoo will provide key support for the contest.

Open to start-up founders aged 18-30 years from across ITU’s 193 member states, the first challenge of the 2014 edition is looking for the most promising tech start-ups that are inspiring the creation, aggregation or digitisation of dynamic local content, particularly in non-Latin scripts.

Entries can be submitted by start-ups that are involved in script content, resolving the technical challenges of digitising non-Latin scripts through innovative technologies or pinpointing fresh uses for older technologies, such as optical character recognition, voice recognition or translation software.

Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani, CEO of Ooredoo Qatar, said: “We’re excited to support this first challenge in the Young Innovators competition. We know that new digital content can inspire people and open new opportunities in their lives, and we believe strongly that each and every market deserves relevant content in their own languages that is tailored to their interests.”

Dr Hamadoun Toure, secretary-general of ITU, said: “I am delighted to announce the first challenge of the latest edition of the ITU Telecom World Young Innovators competition. Last year’s competition brought us inspirational concepts and projects from innovative young people around the world, all of which had significant potential social impact and impressive business potential. I look forward to exploring this year’s innovations at ITU Telecom World 2014 this December in Doha.”

Two start-ups will be selected as winners of this challenge by a selection committee of experts and invited to attend ITU Telecom World 2014.

At the event itself, they will enjoy mentoring and workshops on entrepreneurial skills, opportunities to meet and network with leading ICT players and the chance to showcase their projects at the Innovation Space, a dedicated show floor pavilion. 

Prize money of up to $10,000 in the form of seed funding will be awarded to implement and bring to scale winning start-ups. The competition will comprise a number of different challenges, the first of which focuses on local digital content.

The deadline for initial submissions is May 30. Visit ideas.itu.int for more information on the challenge, to apply or comment on submissions. One can also visit the Young Innovators Facebook page or contact the organisers directly at young.innovators@itu.int

ITU Telecom World 2014 will take place from December 7-10 in Doha. For more information, visit telecomworld.itu.int