The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has opened its portal inviting startups and tech/innovation hubs to participate in the third edition of the Annual Innovation Competition with the theme “Utilizing Indigenous Digital Solution to Bridge the Digital Divide.”
This is 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,” the NCC’s Director – Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka announced this week in Abuja in a statement.
The winning startups, innovation hubs have N4.5 million for grabs.
The annoucement further states:
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 the digital divide. The objective is to assemble Tech Hubs and Techpreneurs with solutions in respect of the theme to showcase their innovations and solutions.
Eligibility
Prospective Technology Hubs and Startups entering the competition are required to submit proposals that meet the following criteria for consideration:
The project should be relevant to the ICT/Telecommunication industry.
Interested parties should be duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria (CAC).
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.
Application Guidelines
All applications should be ONLINE.
There is no cost to enter the competition and you will retain full control and ownership of your technologies.
Each team will register and submit the following documentations:
4-Page Executive Summary of the project concept
A 5-7 minutes video of the pilot project
Names, contact details, passport photographs and profiles of all team members.
Website
Interested and qualified Startups should submit the above documents in a zip folder to: https://ncc.gov.ng/ictinnovation2023 The subject of the mail should read “Submission from ” and the zipped file named after the business.
Application
The ICT Innovation Competition will open from the 9th – 15th January 2023. Entering the competition is free. Please see more on the event schedule below.
Fifteen (15) Tech Hubs and Startups will be shortlisted to showcase their technologies to a Panel of Judges at the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Oshodi, Lagos Campus. Those shortlisted will be announced on the 23rd January, 2023.
The Tech hub and Startups with the best three Innovative prototypes will be awarded cash Prizes of N2 million, N1.5 million and N1 million, respectively. Consolation prizes will be given to the other competitors. Accommodation will be provided for the competitors for four (4) nights.
The deadline for submission of entries is the 15th January, 2023. Shortlisted applicants will be announced on the 23rd January, 2023.
Shortlisted applicants are required to be available at the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Oshodi, Lagos campus on the 6th February, 2023 to exhibit and showcase their solutions.
An independent Panel of Judges will determine a First and Runner-up entry. The Judges’ decision will be final.