ITU Digital World 2020 SME Virtual Awards

By September 25, 2020 October 19th, 2020 News

Background

Applications are open for International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ITU Digital World SME Virtual Awards 2020.  ITU Digital World SME Virtual Awards is a programme of masterclasses, pitching sessions and virtual awards taking place online at ITU Telecom this December. Now more than ever, creative SMEs with innovative tech solutions are needed. The tech SMEs, startups and entrepreneurs need support and encouragement from the industry. The ITU Digital World SME Virtual Awards are an opportunity to recognize excellent innovative tech solutions, build resilience and foster investment in tech SMEs in the midst of this crisis.

Who can apply?

Any startup or SME with an innovative tech solution in one of the following four sectors:

  • Connectivity: Innovative solutions to increasing universal access to the internet.
  • Smart cities, smart living: Using digital tech innovatively to improve urban life and beyond in areas such as energy, transport, planning, food management, commerce and education.
  • E-health: Using technology to improve healthcare through remote diagnosis and treatment, care in the home, monitoring and prevention.
  • Digital finance: ICT-based initiatives focused on increasing and improving access to the economy for the banked and unbanked.

What are the benefits?

All eligible applicants will be invited to take part in a series of online masterclasses on pitching to clients, raising funding and developing capacity in November 2020.  A selected shortlist of entrants will be asked to pitch live online to our expert jury of investors, business and tech specialists.

The winners will receive UN recognition, online visibility on the ITU Digital World website, a unique certificate of achievement – and an invitation (an Executive pass) to join us at ITU Digital World 2021 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, in Q4 2021 to take part in the full SME Programme on site and in person.

Deadline for applications: 16 October 2020, Pitching & Awards Ceremony: 30 Nov. – 7 Dec.

For more details and to apply visit ITU website.