Telekom launches its international innovation contest again in 2014

Budapest, March 26, 2014 16:45

Telekom is looking for the most outstanding Hungarian ideas in 2014 as well, in the frame of its international "Telekom Innovation Contest". Applications are expected in five categories by April 11.

In cooperation with Deutsche Telekom, Magyar Telekom launches the international Telekom Innovation Contest this year again. Teams of creative students, entrepreneurs with startup ideas and newly established IT enterprises can compete in different categories. Applications can be uploaded to www.telekom-innovation-contest.com by April 11. Teams of at least two people can compete with their ideas in five categories: Cloud Based Productivity, future media and communication, Internet of Things, Cyber Security, Reality Data and Smart Energy.

The rewards include investments of up to EUR 150,000, inclusion in international startup programs, hardware, software, and contacts with the top decision-makers at Deutsche Telekom Group. All finalists will also attend a 4-day startup training program where they can learn from experts, gain insights into Deutsche Telekom's research projects, and have the opportunity to further develop their idea.

Following the pre-screening of Hungarian applications, ideas deemed to be the best  will compete in the Hungarian final, in Kitchen Budapest, the innovation and startup incubator laboratory of Magyar Telekom. The best of them participate at the Champions Pitch event in Cracow, at the end of June, 2014. The winning team participates at the "Long Night of Startups" event in Berlin, on September 6, where up to 6,000 guests are expected.

"Telekom places great emphasis on researching and supporting innovative enterprises. Not only within the Magyar Telekom Group, but also in partnership with other market players and research and development institutions we work on developments that contribute to ever newer communication tools to gain ground and to raise social awareness about future technologies. This international contest is an excellent opportunity to put even the most outstanding Hungarian ideas in the limelight, to reach the stage of market introduction, with the expert support and resources of Telekom" - said Róbert Pataki, chief innovation officer of Magyar Telekom.

At 2013 Telekom Innovation Contest 444 ideas were submitted from 45 countries of 4 continents. Out of 12 finalists from eight countries, Excalibur from Slovakia was the winner with an authentication solution for mobile devices. Cubilog from Hungary and Germany's Codeatelier startup companies took second and third place, respectively.

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