Techfugees is partnering with MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab to find and reward tech-driven solutions to refugee needs.
The non-profit organisation launched the competition in June 20th, at the same time Techfugees UAE announced the partnership and is looking for submission of projects until the 1st of September.
Techfugees, as a media and innovation partner of the competition, will continue promoting the competition to its network until the official deadline, after which Techfugees will be taking part in the assessment of projects, entrepreneurs and help grade innovation.
The aim is to help the MIT find the ten best projects and reward five of them with cash prizes and mentorship to successfully implement their project and contribute to ameliorating the life of refugees around the world.
Target audience
The competition is open to entrepreneurs around the world, including refugees, who have a tech-driven solution to a refugee problem.
Eligibility Criteria
- At least two members per team
- Core product/service needs to be technology-based
- Addresses a refugee problem
- Sector agnostic
Prizes
Five prizes of $20,000 each will be awarded to the most innovative solutions that effectively tackle challenges faced by refugees.
Of the five prizes, two are offered by the main sponsors Zain and MBC Hope and are open to solutions across categories including healthcare, energy, food, shelter and security.
The third is marked for an educational solution and offered by Jusoor, an NGO established by Syrian expatriates supporting the country’s development.
The fourth prize will be given by UNICEF. A prize for a ‘child-focused technology’ that targets the most vulnerable or under-served children and seek to: ‘improve child well-being by protecting children’s rights, help meet children’s basic needs, or expand their opportunities to reach their full future potential’.
The fifth prize money is crowdfunded and will be awarded to a solution brought forward by a refugee. The crowdfunding is on: https://www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/donate-fund-a-refugee-s-solution-to-the-crisis
Judging
To select the 10 finalists, MITEF PAR has identified over 60 senior business professionals, with an understanding of technology and the refugee crisis, to assess the entrepreneurs and grade their projects – Techfugees being one of them.
The 10 project left will be evaluated by a panel of six high-profile judges from across industries to end with five winners only.
Deadline
Submission for projects is open until the 1st of September. More information can be found on the MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab http://www.mitarabcompetition.com/
Best of luck!