ESCCOM launches E100 000 challenge
MBABANE – Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) has launched the National Innovation Challenge (NIC) for prospective technology hubs and startups, with grand prizes of up to E100 000 cash.
The NIC was officially launched by ESCCOM Chief Executive (CE) Mvilawemphi Dlamini at the Hilton Garden Inn yesterday.
ESCCOM Technology and Standard Manager Lwazi Maziya described the NIC as an answer to the large and complex digital problems facing the country’s socio-economic landscape.
He said it was meant to promote digital small medium enterprises (SMEs) with new business delivery breakthroughs. He said it would also motivate and encourage Eswatini youths to engage in innovative developments for the telecoms/ICT industry and other key economic sectors.
Maziya said another objective of the programme would be to improve the nation’s ability to compete in the global economy.
“The challenge seeks to harness Eswatini’s formidable multi-disciplinary research and development capabilities to develop practical, impactful solutions to national challenges in areas such as Agriculture, Education, ICT, climate change and health, including those brought by the current COVID 19 pandemic,” he said.
He noted that by this programme, they intended to impart technical and business development knowledge and skills in the targeted groups to enhance their capacity to position themselves for successful commercialisation.
Maziya added that the innovation challenge would ultimately raise the profile of innovators deserving of acknowledgement and recognition.
Competition
Maziya stated that prospective technology hubs and start-ups entering the competition were required to submit proposals that would meet the following criteria for consideration:
The project should be thoroughly researched and have a clear relevance to ICTs incorporated and solution to the problem being addressed; Interested participants should be duly registered with the commission.
Proof of concept (feasibility of idea with diagram, algorithm, etc.), and novelty of the project.
He also stated that the pitch idea should demonstrate clear commercial sustainability and profitability framework. Maziya said team diversity and indigenous capacity to develop and support the solution should be demonstrated, as well as women participation and skills diversity.
Maziya emphasised that all applications should be made online and interested and qualified start-ups should submit their applications in a zip folder to; KWWS ELW O\ EN ;9.
He highlighted topics to pick from for the innovation challenge being ICT for Agriculture; proposals in the development of applications and integrated systems in all fields addressing any agriculture-related challenges, i.e. food security, environment, supply chain and waste management. Under ICT for Education, he said proposals should address any challenges in the education sector hindering e-learning uptake, especially in the COVID-19 era.
ICT-related technologies and applications; proposals in any ICT-related topic solving a problem of interest in the ICT sector.