The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has decided to extend the deadline for the submission of applications and entries for the 2023 Talent Hunt Hackathon, local reports indicate.
According to NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr Reubenn Muoka, the deadline for applications into the contest originally opened on September 1, 2023, and initially set to close on September 22, 2023. This has now been extended to close on the last day of September 2023.
Press Release:
NCC Opens Applications for 2023 Talent Hunt Research Through Hackathonhttps://t.co/5mu9m9iGKy pic.twitter.com/WwRxAWVrkN— ncc.gov.ng (@NgComCommission) September 20, 2023
The extension is meant to give ample time for more prospective and viable startups to tidy up their solutions in the required format for submission. Mouka mentioned that the research is centered around three thematic areas:
- Blockchain-enabled Data Protection Solutions for Enhancing Regulatory Compliance
- Technology Solutions for the Elderly and People with Disabilities
- Technology Solutions for Renewable Energy in Rural Areas
The criteria for participation in the competition include the following:
- The Enterprise MUST provide certificate of registration with corporate affairs Commission
- The Enterprise must not have previously received support from the Commission
- The project should have clear relevance to one of the three thematic areas above
- Clear problem statement, proposed solution, and roadmap to deployment
- Proof-of-Concept (which may also include technical feasibility of idea with diagram, algorithm, existing models or case studies, etc.)
- Novelty of solution (including a declarative statement on ownership of intellectual property)
- Solution including prototype development shall be concluded within 6 months of receipt of the grant (including statement of application of funds/ Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME).
- Detailed commercialization plan of the prototype
The Hackathon will open from September 1 to September 30, 2023 with other key dates as follows:
The best three solutions, one from each of the three areas listed above, will receive grants of N10 million (~$13,000) each for the development of the solutions.
The hackathon is part of the Nigerian Communications Commission expression to its Strategic Vision Plan 2023-2025 which seeks to encourage the development of new technologies and indigenous content through cutting-edge research. The goal of this initiative is to stimulate sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria
The Commission has invited tech hubs, and innovation-driven enterprises (IDEs) in Nigeria to enrol their start-ups and their solutions in the Talent Hunt Research through this Hackathon.
Interested parties can submit their ideas here.
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