MTN App Challenge happening this month

The MTN APP Challenge will be a 3 day event in which local innovators will come together to create Mobile Applications for use on Mobile devices i.e. Phones & Tablets.

The event will start on Friday 29^th May 2015 at 4:00pm and run up to Sunday 31^st May. It is expected to bring together 100 brilliant minds to turn ideas into technology innovations. It is open to innovators from Uganda, both Students and Non Students. The aim is to gather people from different fields and skill sets and unite them into well-working teams.

We are looking for different skill sets: DEVELOPERS, DESIGNERS, MARKETERS, PROJECT MANAGERS.

Entry is FREE. Register Here.

Registration Deadline: 22^nd May

Confirmation of attendance:

1. All those that register and are successfully accepted will be informed by 25^th May.
2. If an entrant registers but does not receive an acceptance confirmation by 25^th May, it means that they have not qualified to participate in the event
3. Acceptance confirmation will be via E-mail or Phone call.

Themes:

The MTN APP Challenge will focus on creation of Mobile Applications under the following themes:

1. M-Health:  Apps to access health services from the Phone
2. M-Entertainment: Apps to enable Entertainment on the Phone: e.g. Music, Games, and Images.
3. M-Business: Apps that enable everyday SME activities to be performed on the phone
4. M-Finance: Apps that extend a type of financial services to low income segment via the phone.

Structure:

• Entrants will be required to work in teams of 5.
• Teams will be formed to comprise at least 1 DEVELOPER, 1 DESIGNER, 1 MARKETER and 1 PROJECT MANAGER.
• Each team will identify an idea to be developed from the ideas pitched at the start of the event and will innovate to deliver that.
• It is expected that teams will create working Prototypes of Applications
• We will have Mentors on site to support the teams.

Awards:

There will be Awards to recognize the following:

1. Best M-Health App: An original concept to address a key need of accessing health services in Uganda and with potential to be used by many individuals.
2. Best M-Business: App with the most potential to address a need in the SME market.
3. Best M-Entertainment: Most original concept for Entertainment on the phone.
4. Best M-Finance: Original concept in extending financial services to low income segments via the phone.
5. Overall Winner: The Application is identified as most aligned to MTN’s current objectives in Enterprise, Consumer, Financial and Digital services.
6. Audience’s Favorite: This application will be chosen by the audience as their best.

Prizes:

The Awards will come with the following Prizes:

1)   Overall Winner:

•  $2,500
• Certificate of Recognition for each team member
• Commercialization in the MTN App Store
• Promotion of App when in MTN App store
• 1GB internet to all team members for 3 months
• 3 Tablets
• 3 months Acceleration support from MTN & its Partners
• Automatic Entry in to the MTN Innovations Award

2)   Best M-Health App, Best M-Business, Best M-Entertainment, and Best M-Finance:

Each of these Awards will receive the following;

• $2,500
• Certificate of Recognition for each team member
• Commercialization in the MTN App Store
• Promotion of App when in MTN App store
• 1GB internet to all team members for 3 months
• 3 Tablets

3)   Audience’s Favorite

• $1,000
• Certificate of Recognition for each team member
• 1GB internet to all team members for 3 months

Judging Criteria:

The Apps will be rated on the following on a scale of 1 – 10, with 10 being the highest score:

1. Team – Teamwork and effort, passion for the idea, skilled (eager to learn) team members.
2. Presentation – The quality of presentation, speech and the quality of presented prototype.
3. Business Model – What is the cost of Commercializing the APP? What is the projected ROI?
4. Business Opportunity – The opportunity to build a scalable business, market opportunity available and size.
5. Technical Functionality – The technical competence of the Prototype.
6. Innovation Caliber – Uniqueness of idea and relevance in the Ugandan Market.
7. Customer Experience – Look & Feel of Front end, Channels through which customer can use application.
8. Road Map – What happens after the MTN APP Challenge? How feasible is the APP’s Post Event Plan?

Event Attendance:

All Attendants will be required to present an ID (Work, School, Drivers Permit and Passport) before being admitted into the event venue.

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