In conjunction with the FCC, the Knight Foundation is kicking off a contest to spur innovation in the digital field. The “Apps for Inclusion” Challenge encourages participants to “review government and community services and develop tools that will improve lives by making it easier for citizens to receive these services through mobile and online applications.”
The winners will be picked by both a panel of experts and by the public, the latter of which will be able to vote on the allocation of several “people’s choice awards.” Knight is putting up $100K in prize money.
“This contest reflects on three beliefs that are key to our work at Knight Foundation,” said its president and CEO, Alberto Ibargüen: “First, our ideal of informed, engaged communities; second, our conviction that universal broadband is key to achieving this ideal; and third, our deep interest in using new approaches to connect with innovators.”
“We are pleased to embrace a contest that will so clearly demonstrate the power of broadband innovation to benefit individuals and society,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. “This contest is not just a fun way to reward the creative spirit of American entrepreneurs. It also demonstrates that our National Broadband Plan is a team effort, and puts a critical part of that team – American inventors – to work now implementing core goals of the Plan.”
Further details on the contest will be forthcoming.
