BT recently launched a competition to find innovative ideas from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that will help cities become more connected, efficient and sustainable.
Run in partnership with the Cabinet Office, the MK:Smart Project and TechHub, the BT Infinity Lab SME Awards 2016: Connected Cities will give SMEs a chance to showcase their big ideas for future digital products and services, in areas such as health and social care, transport and education, employment and skills and across the wider public sector.
Entrants should submit their ideas to www.btplc.com/connectedcities. Contenders will be shortlisted before finalists are invited to the BT Tower in London in April, to pitch their ideas to a “Dragons Den” style panel of connected cities experts. The winning entrants will show how their ideas can help make a big difference to the cities of the future.
The ideas will be judged and awarded in three categories:
- Smart City applications, in partnership with MK Smart
- Connected Communities, innovation which demonstrates how ICT can help cities to operate more sustainably.
- Internet of Things prize will reward the SME with the most innovative technology solution in this field.
Each category winner will be awarded a cash prize of £7,500 with a further £7,500 and six months’ membership at TechHub going to the overall winner. In addition, the Smart City winner will have the opportunity to work with Milton Keynes Council to turn their idea reality, whilst the Connected Society and Internet of Things winners will each receive six months of support from BT to help them develop their ideas.
The competition will close on Friday 11th March 2016.