ITU Telecom World Entrepreneurship Awards launched

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched the ITU Telecom World Entrepreneurship Awards 2015, a new awards programme for businesses participating at ITU Telecom World 2015.

The ITU Telecom World Entrepreneurship Awards 2015 will recognise the most innovative start-ups, micro, small and medium-sized businesses using ICTs to provide solutions with real and sustainable social and economic impact, according to ITU, the UN specialised agency for ICTs.

ITU says the Awards programme recognizes the crucial role played by ICT entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and supporting technology hubs, incubators and government initiatives.

Mr. Michael Ikpoki, MD/CEO, MTN Nigeria (left); Dr Eugene Juwah, ex-Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC); Dr Omobola Johnson, ex-Minister of Communication Technology; Mr Ibrahim Dikko, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Etisalat Nigeria and Mr Joseph Tegbe, Principal Partner, KPMG Nigeria at the Nigeria Investment Meeting held at the ITU Telecom World 2014 in Doha, Qatar

ITU says they continue to play meaningful roles in driving industry growth, creating employment and contributing meaningfully to social development and the achievement of sustainability goals across emerging and developed markets.

All SMEs and entrepreneurs exhibiting at ITU Telecom World 2015 in Budapest, Hungary, from October 12-15, are eligible to enter the award, whether taking part with an independent stand or pod, or as part of a National Pavilion, the tech body says.

Winners will benefit from international recognition as leading entrepreneurs for social good, unique visibility and networking opportunities, and the guarantee of a free exhibition stand and speaking slot in the Forum debates at next year’s ITU Telecom World.

“In celebrating the most promising high-growth SMEs using ICTs for social good, along with successful government initiatives supporting entrepreneurship in this sector, ITU is setting the bar for good practice and the fruitful exchange of ideas globally, and taking a lead in promoting innovative ICT entrepreneurship for socio-economic development”, ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao says. “The ITU Telecom World Entrepreneurship Awards represent a valuable platform for global visibility for entrepreneurs, SMEs and government schemes, offering the potential to develop partnerships, networking and funding to take innovative ICT solutions to scale.”