Wanted: Ideas for South Island, where the smart money is
The South Island Prosperity Project is looking for a few good ideas as it kicks off the Smart South Island Open Innovation Challenge.
The challenge is a competition open to everyone who has a “smart” pilot project idea that could improve the quality of life in the region by making it a smarter and more sustainable place to live.
“The Smart South Island Innovation Challenge is a fantastic way to unleash the creativity of local residents and organizations by designing innovative solutions to the real-world challenges impacting the South Island,” SIPP executive director Emilie de Rosenroll said.
It could also net a pot of cash for the best ideas. There are three $15,000 prizes to be won.
The challenge hopes to find homegrown solutions to some of Greater Victoria’s most pressing challenges: transportation and mobility, housing and affordability, economic resilience and inclusion, human and environmental health. The challenge is free to enter. Teams interested in competing for a prize are asked to submit a two-page application outlining their project by Jan. 28.
The top projects, chosen by a panel, will be invited to develop more detailed proposals. Proponents will pitch their ideas in front of an expert panel and live audience at a Dragon’s Denstyle event on March 11.
Complete eligibility criteria are available on the initiative’s website: smartsouthisland.ca.
The competition was inspired by SIPP’s coordination of the region’s bid for Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge, a nationwide competition inviting communities across the country to showcase their best “smart” ideas.
Winning proposals in the national competition are eligible to win prizes of $5 million, $10 million or $50 million.