MTN Cameroon launches a mobile applications challenge, #MTNStartup
MTN Cameroon, leading company in the telecommunications sector, announces the launching of an applications development competition dubbed MTN Innovation Challenge. To this effect, an official ceremony took place last 16 July 2015 in Douala.
This is a competition organised by MTN Cameroon to accelerate innovation in the Community of developers and digital entrepreneurs of Cameroon on one hand, and manufacture the future successful Cameroonian startup, on the other.
Candidates have to propose web, Android, Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 applications developed by a team of 1 or 2 persons based in Cameroon. All the applications must incorporate MTN Mobile Money service, for eligibility. This requirement does not however concern those who want to compete in the Best Social Apps category of the MTN Foundation.
Organised in partnership with Microsoft and ActivSpaces, MTN Innovation Challenge shall be rolled out in three phases:
From 20 July to 8 September 2015: Period to submit applications. At the end of this phase, the jury shall select the 10 best applications. The list of finalists shall be published on 18 September 2015. The best applications in the Best Social Apps category shall equally be made known and recognized on the same date.
From 25 September to 25 October 2015: Period during which the 10 finalists correct and fine-tune their applications. They shall each be accompanied by an experienced services and products development mentor. At the end of this phase, the three best applications shall be selected by the jury and made public.
From 14 November to 14 May 2016 : The three applications retained shall each benefit a cash prize of 1 million FCFA and join a six-month incubation programme which shall help them build a veritable enterprise using their product.
The incubation programme managed by the partner ActivSpaces, shall comprise facilities such as desktops, internet access, automation equipment, various trainings and coaching on management, legal support etc.
“This challenge on applications positions MTN as main stakeholder in the creation of a real digital economy in Cameroon. A new economy whose development shall be accelerated thanks to the activation of the WACS optical fibre and launch of 3G”, declared Linda Kouam, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Cameroon.
All the details on this competition are available on www.mtninnovationchallenge.cm. There is also the possibility of following all the events on the Challenge online through the hashtag #MTNStartup.