More than EUR 50,000 in prizes will be distributed as Ericsson invites students, who are currently enrolled in university studies to propose innovative technology solutions to help tackle sustainable development challenges.
Teams of two-to-four students invited for the Ericsson Innovation Awards (EIA) 2022 challenge will also take inspiration from the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs).
“University students around the world are among the most passionate and determined advocates of the need for action to meet global sustainability challenges. That’s why we’ve chosen sustainability as the focus of this year’s Ericsson Innovation Awards to help catalyze action,” said Heather Johnson, Vice President, Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, Ericsson.
She said there are less than 10 years until the conclusion of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and it will take a collective effort from all sectors of society to achieve them. Ericsson is a champion of the role technology and innovation can play in scaling sustainable development efforts.
Participating university teams are asked to take inspiration from the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to identify a sustainability challenge to tackle with a technology solution that can make a lasting change.
Interested teams of two-to-four students currently enrolled in university studies should submit team names and ideas by 13.00 (CEST), August 5, 2022.
As an extra incentive, the first seven submissions per region as of 13.00 (CEST), June 16, 2022, will have the opportunity to access extra support and feedback from Ericsson mentors.
Breakdown of Prizes
Overall winner: EUR 25,000
As a Nobel International partner, Ericsson will also offer the winning team the opportunity to join a virtual conversation with a Nobel Prize laureate.
Overall runner-up: EUR 15,000
Overall third place: EUR 5,000
Social Media Prize: EUR 2,000
The three finalists’ ideas will be uploaded to @inside_ericsson Instagram. A public vote – in the last 24 hours before the Grand Finale – will determine which team who wins the EUR 2,000.
Regional winners
Each of the seven regional winners will receive EUR 1,000.
In some cases, additional special recognition and prizes will be offered from the respective region.
The 14 semi-finalists, including the regional winners, will receive eight weeks of comprehensive mentorship from Ericsson experts in innovation and business, as well as recognition on Ericsson’s social and digital media channels.