Mobile operator MTN Cameroon has partnered the ActivSpaces tech incubator to launch its Innovation Challenge, which will offer startups the chance to win six months of incubation and XAF1 million (US$1,700) in funding.
Applications for the competition opened yesterday and will close on September 8, with winners to be announced at the end of October.
At the end of the first round, 10 applications will be selected to move on to round two, winning a smartphone, an MTN Sonic Modem, free internet access and free hosting. Three eventual winners will gain six months free incubation from ActivSpaces and funding.
MTN is inviting applications from startups operating in the sectors of e-commerce, communication, gaming, transport, health, education, news, community development and enterprise services, with startups using MTN Money APIs on their apps.
Submitted apps can be for Windows Phone, Android or web, and need to be complete at the time of submission.
“Keep in mind that your app will be evaluated based on the following criteria: originality of the concept, market potential, effective use of MTN APIs and prototype’s advancement,” MTN said.
Apps will be judged by a panel made up of Linda Kouam, chief marketing officer at MTN Cameroon, the company’s chief information officer Georges Mpoudi, MTN Foundation executive secretary Jean Melvin Akam, ActivSpaces executive director Ryan Yoder, Djiba Diallo, developer experience and evangelism lead at Microsoft, Kaymu Cameroon country manager Candace Nkoth Bisseck, and Fritz Ekwoge, entrepreneur and owner of FeePerfect.
