Saturday, February 04, 2023
About the Competition
The Nigerian Communication Commission in keeping with its strategic intent as encapsulated in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS 2020-2030) pillar 8 “Indigenous Content Development and Adoption” is committed to promoting innovation for the sustainability and continuous development of the Nigerian Communications Industry.
Pursuant to this, the Commission invites Startups and Tech Hubs as well as Investors and the ICT ecosystem to participate in the third edition of the Annual Innovation Competition with the theme “Utilizing Indigenous Digital Solution to Bridge the Digital Divide”.
The ICT Innovation Competition will be a medium for showcasing talents and innovations in ICT ecosystem. This is aimed at motivating and encouraging Nigerian youths to engage in innovative developments for the telecoms industry and improve the nation’s ability to compete in the global economy.
In addition, the Competition is designed to promote indigenous solutions to bridge digital divide. The objective is to invite tech hubs and techpreneurs that have solutions in respect of the theme to come and showcase their innovations as developed.
Fifteen (15) Tech hubs/Startups will be shortlisted to showcase their technology to a panel of judges at the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) Lagos Campus.
Those shortlisted will be announced on 23rd January, 2023.
The Tech hub/Startups with the best three Innovative prototypes will be awarded cash Prizes of N2 million, N1.5million and N1 million respectively.
Consolation prize will be given to the other competitors. Accommodation will be provided for the competitors for four (4) nights.
Eligibility
Prospective Technology Hubs and Startups entering the competition are required to submit proposals that meet the following criteria for consideration:
- The project should have a clear relevance to ICT/Telecommunication industry.
- Interested participants should be duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
- Proof of concept (feasibility of idea with diagram, algorithm, etc.).
- Novelty of the project.
- The pitch idea should demonstrate clear commercial sustainability and profitability framework.
- Team diversity and indigenous capacity to develop and support the solution.
Project Submission
Guidelines
All applications should be ONLINE.
There is no cost to enter the competition and you will retain full control and ownership of your technology.
Each Team will register and submit the following documentation:
- 4 page Executive Summary of the project concept
- 5-7 minutes video of the pilot project
- Names, contact details, passport photos and profile of all Team members.
- Website (if available)
The Submission Deadline Has Elapsed.
Timetable
The ICT Innovation Competition will open on 9th – 15th January 2023, it is free to enter and you can see more on the event below with other key dates as follows:
Date |
Stage |
|---|---|
| 9th Jan - 15th Jan 2023 | Applications open online. |
| 23rd Jan 2023 | Shortlisted tech hubs and startups announced. |
| 6th Feb 2023 | Shortlisted tech hubs and startups arrives DBI Lagos Campus for a 2 day pitch. |
| 7th Feb - 8th Feb 2023 | 2 day pitch/exhibition and grading of contestants by Judges at Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos. |
| 9th Feb 2023 | Award of prizes/Closing ceremony. |
Disclaimer
IMPORTANT
Applying to the Innovation Competition counts as a public disclosure of your idea and it is your responsibility to protect it adequately before making an application.
Before applying, please ensure you are satisfied with the level of protection for any idea or material included in the application, and seek your own legal advice if necessary.
Failure to do so may affect your ability to protect it in the future.
Applicants are not required to include more detail about their ideas than they feel comfortable with or than is indicated in the online application form. However, please be aware that providing insufficient detail may affect the ability of the judges to make a fair assessment of your application.
Deadline for submission of entries is 15th January, 2023 and shortlisted applicants will be announced on 23rd January, 2023.
Shortlisted applicants are required to be available in Lagos at Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) Lagos campus on 6th January, 2023 to exhibit and showcase their solutions.
For more information, please email:
An independent panel of Judges will determine a First and Runner-up entry and Judges’ decisions are final.