From nearly 400 entries from 77 countries worldwide, 12 submissions were selected as having the greatest possible social impact and potential for business success within each category, demonstrating both the breadth of young innovation geographically and the depth of technological applications:
- B.IT GPS-based monitoring of blood in local blood banks (Oman, Healthcare)
- ChipSafer Early recognition system for cattle diseases (Uruguay, Healthcare)
- Crisis Communicator Disaster management information communication system (USA, Healthcare)
- Descarte Correto E-waste management project in the Amazon region (Brazil, Environmental Sustainability)
- EXCALIBUR Secure online authentication system (Slovakia, Cybersecurity)
- Gradberry – Online job portal for students and graduates (UAE, Youth Employment)
- HiYP App using Quick Response (QR) codes to identify counterfeit medicine (South Africa, Healthcare)
- Isara Sign-language learning programme ( Indonesia, Human Rights)
- LabMagic Virtual science laboratory environment for schools (Pakistan, Education)
- SasaAfrica E-commerce application for local craftswomen (Kenya, Empowerment of Women)
- Takachar Solid waste management through ICT sensors (Kenya, Environmental Sustainability)
- Youth KiAwaaz Online platform for young journalists (India, Human Rights)
At ITU Telecom World 2012 in Dubai, 14-18 October, the Young Innovators Competition finalists will receive one-on-one mentorship sessions with high-level industry representatives, hands-on workshop training to develop entrepreneurial skills and the opportunity to showcase their projects to the event’s influential audience at the InnovatorSpace on the showfloor. Networking and building relationships with leading ICT stakeholders from industry, government and academia will provide the young innovators with exposure, support and investment to move their projects forward and realise their visions. The finalists will also be competing for up to CHF 5,000 prize money for great concepts, and up to CHF 10,000 for innovative projects.
Successful innovation rests on combining technology with human ingenuity, a resource which the youth of today around the world have in abundance, said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Tour. This competition enables young digital innovators to demonstrate their ideas for tackling development issues, and commitment to changing the world, on a truly global stage. Let us not forget that the young social entrepreneurs of today are the business, government and technology leaders of tomorrow.