Submissions for 3rd Edition of Safaricom Appwiz Challenge Close

Nairobi, August 20th 2015… Submissions for the 3rd edition of the Safaricom Appwiz Challenge have closed with over 320 participating received.

The entries received are currently being reviewed by a panel of industry experts, with majority of the submissions being mobile solutions targeting the Customer Engagement and Mobile Convenience categories.

“We are seeing a shift towards development of unique solutions leveraging on mobile technology, a departure from past editions of the Appwiz Challenge where entrants focused largely on creating apps. This year we revamped the categories to allow more diverse entries and the applicants have risen to the challenge,” said Safaricom’s Director of Strategy and Innovation, Joseph Ogutu.

The 2015 edition of the 3-month developer challenge was launched on 20th July, giving applicants a month to develop and submit their ideas to any one of four categories including: Customer Engagement Solutions, Safaricom Product Excellence Solutions, Mobile Convenience and Out of the Box Solutions.

The business potential of a submitted solution will be the determining factor that will allow applicants to progress to the interview stage. This stage will focus on evaluating the start-up team structure, articulation of the prototype solution as well as its market potential.

The Safaricom Appwiz Challenge is not only focused on solutions that leverage SMS, USSD and cloud for engagement with customers, it also focuses on developing the next generation of mobile technology businesses by working with start-ups to monetize their solutions.

“Safaricom is seeking to work with start-ups that are hungry for growth and who have what it takes to participate in the intensive coaching, mentorship, training and incubation programme that we have designed specifically for young local entrepreneurs in the mobile technology space,” added Mr. Ogutu. “Through the Appwiz Challenge we want to support local innovation and nurture businesses we can work with by bridging the gap between great ideas, business funding and industry support.”

Appwiz was first introduced in 2013, and has since incubated close to 30 tech start-ups including the developers of Safaricom M-Ledger and Magazine Reel, both of which are now being commercialized.

Participants selected to go into the 2nd stage of the competition – the interview stage – will be contacted via e-mail on Monday 24th August and invited to present their solutions to a panel of judges on Friday 28th August 2015 at Strathmore University. The finalists will then proceed to the 3 month incubation phase.

The Safaricom Appwiz Challenge Grand Winner will receive a cash grant of Ksh1.5 million, while the 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner up will receive Kshs.1million and Kshs. 500,000 respectively.

For more information on Appwiz please visit: http://developer.safaricom.co.ke

Nairobi, August 20th 2015… Submissions for the 3rd edition of the Safaricom Appwiz Challenge have closed with over 320 participating received.

The entries received are currently being reviewed by a panel of industry experts, with majority of the submissions being mobile solutions targeting the Customer Engagement and Mobile Convenience categories.

“We are seeing a shift towards development of unique solutions leveraging on mobile technology, a departure from past editions of the Appwiz Challenge where entrants focused largely on creating apps. This year we revamped the categories to allow more diverse entries and the applicants have risen to the challenge,” said Safaricom’s Director of Strategy and Innovation, Joseph Ogutu.

The 2015 edition of the 3-month developer challenge was launched on 20th July, giving applicants a month to develop and submit their ideas to any one of four categories including: Customer Engagement Solutions, Safaricom Product Excellence Solutions, Mobile Convenience and Out of the Box Solutions.

The business potential of a submitted solution will be the determining factor that will allow applicants to progress to the interview stage. This stage will focus on evaluating the start-up team structure, articulation of the prototype solution as well as its market potential.

The Safaricom Appwiz Challenge is not only focused on solutions that leverage SMS, USSD and cloud for engagement with customers, it also focuses on developing the next generation of mobile technology businesses by working with start-ups to monetize their solutions.

“Safaricom is seeking to work with start-ups that are hungry for growth and who have what it takes to participate in the intensive coaching, mentorship, training and incubation programme that we have designed specifically for young local entrepreneurs in the mobile technology space,” added Mr. Ogutu. “Through the Appwiz Challenge we want to support local innovation and nurture businesses we can work with by bridging the gap between great ideas, business funding and industry support.”

Appwiz was first introduced in 2013, and has since incubated close to 30 tech start-ups including the developers of Safaricom M-Ledger and Magazine Reel, both of which are now being commercialized.

Participants selected to go into the 2nd stage of the competition – the interview stage – will be contacted via e-mail on Monday 24th August and invited to present their solutions to a panel of judges on Friday 28th August 2015 at Strathmore University. The finalists will then proceed to the 3 month incubation phase.

The Safaricom Appwiz Challenge Grand Winner will receive a cash grant of Ksh1.5 million, while the 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner up will receive Kshs.1million and Kshs. 500,000 respectively.

For more information on Appwiz please visit: http://developer.safaricom.co.ke