ITU Telecom World seeks young entrepreneurs with solutions to global challenges

4 Jun 2013

Image via leedsn/Shutterstock

The third Young Innovators’ Competition organised by ITU Telecom World asks young people aged 18 to 26 if they have a technological solution to global development challenges – and the best of the bunch could win US$10,000.

The ITU Telecom World event is for governments, industry leaders and regulators from the world’s ICT community, but the Young Innovators’ Competition is for young social entrepreneurs with an original tech idea or start-up that could have a positive impact on communities worldwide.

Entrants to the competition are challenged with devising an ICT-based solution for one of six global challenges. These challenges are:

  • Improve employment opportunities for young people and migrant workers
  • Reduce food and water waste at individual and retail levels
  • Facilitate access to public services for the elderly
  • Improve natural disaster prediction and response
  • Improve road safety for both drivers and pedestrians
  • Protect sensitive personal data and inspire the creation of local digital content

The deadline for submissions is 30 June and, following that, 10 finalists will be selected to attend ITU Telecom World 2013 in Bangkok from 19 to 22 November, where they will take part in workshops, pitching sessions, mentoring and networking, and compete for the top prize of up to US$10,000 in seed funding for their project.

Tech idea image via leedsn/Shutterstock

Elaine Burke is the host of For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network. She was previously the editor of Silicon Republic.

editorial@siliconrepublic.com