Google Impact Challenge Innovation Contest Names 10 Canadian Finalists

Google’s charitable wing is giving Canadians the chance to vote for the best homegrown technology for solving problems around the world. It’s called the Impact Challenge, and it’s an innovation contest with a total purse of $5 million. The field has been narrowed to 10 finalists. As you’ll see in the list below, participants have come up with some exceptional ideas, which is appropriate given that the challenge is sponsored by one of the most innovative companies of the planet. The grand prize winner will be awarded a $750,000 grant.

All 10 finalists are from Canadian non-profit organizations like the Canadian Red Cross, Food Banks Canada, and the B.C. Children’s Hospital. They are... Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2oFNCpc

European Social Innovation Competition is Underway

Some of the most impactful innovation competitions are those that seek to address social issues. The European Commission has launched this year’s European Social Innovation Competition. The goal of the challenge is for Europeans to come up with novel approaches to technologies, digital inclusion, connectivity, and skills development.

We talk about this being the digital age, but of course, that’s not true for everyone. This competition seeks to ensure that everyone has a chance to take advantage of the opportunities before us. The organizers feel strongly that as technology advances, it must be used to help society advance as well so that everyone benefits. Participants in the challenge are encouraged to submit creative ideas for closing the technology gap. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2oFSw5u

CatHacks III Hackathon to be Held in Lexington, KY

What organizers are calling the “epic trilogy” continues. CatHacks, a hackathon put on by the University of Kentucky, was the first national college hackathon held in the state back in 2015. This year UK will host the event for the third time. It will take place April 15-16 in Lexington. New and experienced hackers from all over the country will travel to the Bluegrass State to have some fun and participate in this innovation competition. Why CatHacks? It’s a nod to Scratch, the university’s Wildcat mascot.

“Scratch” is Fitting

It seems appropriate to hold a hackathon at a school whose mascot is Scratch, since participants will be looking to develop innovative ideas from… (you get it). Over the course of 24 hours, hackers will meet other talented and curious students, connect with leading tech companies, and experiment with new technologies. As with most hackathons, the event is completely free. Food… beverages… swag… no charge! Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2p0jTLa

UpPrize Social Innovation Competition Announces 10 Finalists

The UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge is an innovation competition that encourages communities to find creative solutions to issues facing their region or the world. Organized by Forbes Funds, it launched last year with a contest focused on helping victims of human trafficking, the visually impaired, and other vulnerable populations.

This year’s innovation competition asks participants to come up with ideas in two areas: Healthy Food Access and Impactful Technology. Ten finalists have been selected from an initial group of 175 by the companies partnering in the challenge, BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Bridgeway Capital, and Comcast. Each finalist will receive $10,000 plus the opportunity to compete for additional prizes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2onQ7hp

RIT Hackathon-like Challenges Students to Envision Health Innovation

First held at the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2008, the Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival produces amazing innovations every year. This time around, the innovation contest is a health innovation challenge. RIT President Bill Destler has challenged students to develop a lifestyle app, physical device, or really anything that improves health in some way.

Like a hackathon, past challenges have focused on things like building or modifying the fastest electric vehicles, building drones that are then put through an obstacle course, and creating products that allow people with differing abilities to participate more fully in society.

The prize for this year’s event, which is now underway, has a unique twist. On the line is $1,000 cash or an antique banjo from Destler’s personal collection. You might say that the winner will have some pickin’ to do. Read more on this article. http://bit.ly/2oxsrJJ

Why Contest Management Software Can Give your Brand a Boost

The best reason for a company to develop or sponsor a contest platform is that it will result in new products or services that will benefit others. That’s the driver behind most challenges. However, there are other benefits of innovation competitions.

Companies that are involved in these events find that they are a great way to connect with their target audience, especially youth and young adults. Why? This demographic tends to be creative, motivated, and interested in establishing a relationship with the brands they follow. In particular, here’s why innovation competitions can give your brand a boost:

Competitions expose a wide audience to your brand

Not only do those who participate in a challenge get to know your brand, but the ripple effect can be powerful. When a participant talks with family members, friends, and coworkers about the event, those people have a new awareness of your company. And if many of them talk to others, your reach into your target audience can grow exponentially. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2onL9kA