Imagine decreasing food shortages while cleaning up oceans or addressing fashion waste while supporting gender equality. Taking inspiration from the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), identify an interconnected challenge to tackle with your team and create a new innovative tech solution that can make a lasting change.
Innovations come in all sizes, from simple changes in code that could redefine future networks to complex technological advances that will advance humanitarian efforts worldwide. Now is the time to develop your idea to give it the best chance of having an impact by entering the Ericsson Innovation Awards (EIA). We’re looking for your inspired technology solutions that can help solve today’s significant challenges.
About VC4A
VC4A started with the mission to build up Africa’s start up community. Started in 2007, the network building organization has grown organically over the years into what is now the leading community working to build high growth high impact companies globally. Increased economic momentum is fueled by a growing number of entrepreneurs and their ambition to transform society. It is imperative we seek out the collaborations and partnerships needed to bring together the capital, knowledge, and network these entrepreneurs require to succeed – and to provide every entrepreneur with an e... read more
Ericsson Africa Innovation Awards
| Application Deadline | 31 Oct 2022 |
| Type | Contest |
| Sponsor | VC4A |
| Gender | Men and Women |
Aim and Benefits of Ericsson Africa Innovation Awards
Semi-finalists
Each of the 7 Regional Winners will receive:
- €1,000 cash prize (Including Swedish tax).
- In some cases, additional special recognition and prizes will be offered within your respective regions.
All 14 Semi-finalists – including the 7 Regional Winners – will receive:
- 8 weeks of mentorship from Ericsson experts in innovation and business.
- Recognition on Ericsson’s social and digital media.
- The possibility of being interviewed by the talent acquisition team (if any suitable positions are available at the time).
- Achievement certificate.
Finalists
All 3 Finalist teams will receive:
- An additional 4 weeks of mentorship
- Recognition across Ericsson’s social media and digital channels
- Cash prizes, as outlined below (including Swedish tax)
- Grand Prize Winner: €25,000
- 2nd Place: €15,000
- 3rd Place: €5,000
Bonus: Social Media Prize: €2,000 All 3 Finalists will have their entries uploaded onto the Instagram page of @ericssoncareers.
We will launch a voting process on this page 24 hours before the Grand Finale. The team with the most votes will win an additional €2,000 and be crowned the EIA fan favorite.
Requirements for Ericsson Africa Innovation Awards Qualification
For the fourteen teams who have progressed through to the semi-finals of the competition, new challenges await. Students must now expand their original ideas by submitting the following deliverables:
Phase 2: Semi-Finalist – Business case build-up
Deadline: 30th October 13:00 (CEST): Semi-finalists will receive mentorship from a dedicated Ericsson team to expand their ideas further. At the end of the mentorship phase, they will be required to submit a Business Case Framework Document outlining their original idea in greater detail.
Phase 3: Grand Finale – Business case pitch
Grand Finale submissions are comprised of two parts:
1. Pre-Read Submission Deadline Tuesday 6th December
With the support of your mentors, you will need to submit the following:
- Evolved business case – develop the initial Business case document you submitted for Phase 2
- Marketing Pamphlet (1 page, front and back)
- A two-minute video pitch
2. Live Presentation Week commencing 12th December 2022, timings to be advised)
Finalists will have a 20-minute slot to make a virtual presentation to the EIA Grand Jury (10 minutes dedicated to the presentation, with 10 minutes for questions).
Post-Competition
The winning team may be asked to meet in person or virtually with media representatives from Ericsson or other publications.
Judging overview
Ideas are assessed against three key criteria: desirability, feasibility, and viability. A matrix is used to determine a score of between 1 and 10 for each of these three criteria. The weighting of each score is different depending on the stage of the competition, so be sure to review the matrixes and criteria weighting here.
Application Deadline
October 31, 2022How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to VC4A on events.foryou.ericsson.com to applyFor more details, visit VC4A website.
