In 2015, MTN Uganda started a platform known as the MTN Innovation Awards in order to recognize individuals and organizations that were enabling the transformation of several sectors of the economy. More importantly, improving the lives of people. The first MTN Innovation Awards were held in 2015. In 2017, we are bringing the awards. Refreshed. Better.
The MTN Innovation Awards 2017 will seek to recognize outstanding applications – mobile and Web – developed by Ugandan individuals and private organizations that enable the local innovation eco-system. Submissions are currently ongoing on the www.mtn.co.ug/innovationawards. The deadline for submissions is 6th October 2017.
Who should apply to the MTN Innovation Awards 2017?
MTN Uganda believes that all hard-work needs to be rewarded. When innovators put in many hours/days/months/years to develop applications and it has an impact on society, they deserve to be recognized. Applicants can be individuals or organizations. For a submission to be eligible, the Application should have been operational at least since 2014. The reason we would consider Apps that have been in existence for at least 3 years is because it is the best way to measure impact to society.
How many categories are being considered for the MTN Innovation Awards 2017?
There are seven categories we are accepting submissions to. They include;
- Health Application: This Award seeks to recognize Applications that aim to extend reach, accessibility, and efficiency in delivering health services. The app must address both consumers of health services & providers of health services & demonstrate enabling business intelligence features to enhance reach, accessibility, and efficiency.
- Education Application: This Award seeks to recognize Applications that are transforming the Experience and Reach of Education to ordinary Ugandans. The app must address both consumers of education services & providers of education services and demonstrate enabling business intelligence to enhance reach, accessibility, and efficiency.
- Financial Services Application: This Award seeks to recognize Applications that are enabling any financial Inclusion. The app must address both consumers of financial services & providers of financial services & demonstrate enabling business intelligence to enhance reach, accessibility, and efficiency.
- SME Application: This award seeks to recognize Applications that aim to address productivity improvement in the SME sector. The app must address both consumers of services & providers of services & demonstrate enabling business intelligence to enhance reach, accessibility, and efficiency.
- Agriculture Application: This Award, seeks to recognize applications that are driving digitization for efficiency & productivity in the Agricultural sector. The app must address both consumers of education services & providers of education services and demonstrate enabling business intelligence to enhance reach, accessibility, and efficiency.
- Media and Entertainment Application: The app must address both consumers of services & providers of services and demonstrate enabling business intelligence to enhance reach, accessibility, and efficiency.
- Outstanding Woman in Innovation: This is award seeks to recognize Women that are demonstrating a leading role in defining the innovation for Uganda through Mobile Application Innovations that they have developed or other initiatives that they are driving towards building the eco-system.
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There are two other categories where the judges will be picking the winners.
Most Innovative Mobile App: This award is also given at the judges’ discretion to Mobile applications that invent, innovate, revolutionize, recreate or transform things. It is therefore not a category that is open for entry. This app may or may not be from any of the categories indicated above.
Innovation Achiever of the Year: This is a special Award to recognize an Individual or private Entity that has had a significant impact in defining, enabling and influencing the Innovation Eco-system of Uganda through local initiatives and activities.
What are the benefits?
These awards, for us, are more than just being able to provide a financial boost. Our aim is to recognize impact in society. In 2015, we pegged the prize money at $1000. Now we have increased that amount to $3000. This is only just a token of appreciation and recognition for the impact to society.
What are the key timelines for submissions?
We opened the submissions, which must only be made online, on September 22nd, 2017. This shall close on 6th October 2017. All Award Nominees will be informed by 23rd October 2017. The awards gala will take place on 8th November 2017 at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
