Two IT Awards programmes now open

Friday, 26 June 2009 10:43

There are two award programmes currently running for ICT based programmes or products. They are the Access to Learning Award and New Zealand's own Focus on Health

Tthe Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, million dollar Access to Learning Award

Given each year by Global Libraries, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Access to Learning Award recognizes the innovative efforts of public libraries or similar organizations outside the United States to connect people to information through free access to computers and the Internet.

The award is for non-American libraries only so you will be up against some of the most innovative people in the world who do astonishing things with almost nothing.

The second is an exclusively New Zealand based award for innovation in Health Services called Focus on Health: A New Zealand Innovation Challenge, developed by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

While it is not exclusively an ICT-based award, ICT based products or services have at least as good a chance as any other.

The award runs over over 12 months with two rounds. It offers the opportunity to fast track your idea to United States based buyers, investors and partners. There are compelling reasons to enter, including the chance to win a share of over $500,000 of in-kind and cash prizes, mentoring, local and international partnership opportunities, and a world-class network of useful contacts.

New Zealand based companies, organisations, post graduates, researchers, health professionals and entrepreneurs, individuals and not-for-profit organisations are all eligible to enter.

Entries could include software, hardware, medical device, bioactive or pharmaceutical products and services.

The Challenge brings together an extensive network of United States and New Zealand based judges, advisors, and mentors from medical, academic and business backgrounds, as well as potential investors, buyers and partners. As participants move through The Challenge they will receive expert advice and feedback from The Challenge Network.

If you decide to enter  either of these awards, please keep 2020 Trust informed and feel free to ask for our support.