The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is seeking applications from Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the world to apply for this year’s Digital World 2021 award.
The Digital World 2021 award, which promotes digital innovation by small- and medium-sized enterprises around the world, recognizes tech innovation for social good, with live pitching, networking and master classes.
The Awards, now in their seventh edition, aim to hone SME pitching skills, showcase sustainable solutions, help make key connections, foster investment, and provide valuable United Nations recognition.
According to ITU in an email message, the 2021 Awards seek out innovations related to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in five categories like Connectivity, Smart cities, smart living, E-health, Digital finance and EdTech (education technology)
Like last year, the whole presentation and selection process will take place online.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch live online in front of an expert jury of investors, innovation, business and tech specialists, with winners to be announced in an online awards ceremony at the end of the year.
Speaking on the award, ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao, said “Innovation is a driving force of the ICT industry, and SMEs are a huge source of innovation, jobs and economic growth”.
while encouraging talented SMEs from across the globe to enter the ITU Digital World SME Awards and benefit from this valuable platform of knowledge sharing, networking and visibility, Houlin Zhao said we all need to come together and support them in these trying times.
Each winner will receive UN recognition as an ICT4D (ICT for development) provider, online visibility and certificate of achievement.
In the meantime, all applicants will be invited to join the ITU Digital World SME Programme, consisting of master classes offering capacity building, skills workshops, mentorship and networking opportunities for SMEs all year long.
The deadline for applications is 03 September.
