MTN Business is inviting local app developers to submit their apps for the sixth edition of the MTN Business App of the Year Awards.
According to MTN Business, the app development challenge is in line with its quest to adjust to the ever-evolving technology landscape. It aims to assist app developers to turn their ideas into reality by unearthing innovative and customised apps that will create a distinct customer experience.
The overall winner of the MTN Business App of the Year will walk away with a prize to the value of R200 000. This will go towards guidance and mentorship support through the MTN Start-up Programme, which seeks to assist innovators to turn their solutions into commercially viable and sustainable businesses.
"The MTN Business App of the Year Award has acted as a springboard for innovators and entrepreneurs to not only create solutions that assist society, but also to launch and grow sustainable businesses that provide cutting-edge solutions to customers, contribute to economic growth and create much-needed employment opportunities," says Mandisa Ntloko, GM of enterprise marketing at MTN Business SA.
"Moreover, this initiative signals MTN's commitment to champion the local app development movement by incentivising them to create solutions that meet the challenges we face in the digital age," adds Ntloko.
Nomination entries will be considered in the following categories:
- Best Enterprise Solution;
- Best Consumer Solution;
- Best Incubated Solution;
- Most Innovative Solution;
- Best Breakthrough Developer;
- Best Educational Solution;
- Best South African App;
- Best Agricultural Solution; and
- Best Health Solution.
This year, MTN Business has introduced three new categories: Best Gaming Solution - with a focus on African gaming; Best 'Women in STEM' Solution - for submissions by women and girls related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and Best Financial Solution - for submissions that provide financial solutions to customers of the financial sector.
Last year, the competition attracted over 500 entries, with cleaning-on-demand app Domestly scooping the overall winner award. The competition has supported and monetised a number of apps, which are commonly used today, such as:
- Tuta-Me, an on-demand service linking learners and teachers. Tuta-me won in the Best Enterprise Development App category at last year's awards.
- WumDrop, an on-demand delivery start-up, walked away with the Best Enterprise App and was the Best Overall App in 2015.
- SnapScan, a payment app that emerged as the overall winner in the 2013 edition of the competition.
To enter, app developers can submit their entries at appoftheyear.co.za.
According to MTN, the cut-off date for entries for this year's competition is 14 September. This will be followed by preliminary judging on 19 September and final adjudication on 26 September.
The grand prize winner and front-runners in each category will be announced at a gala awards event which will be hosted in Johannesburg on 12 October.
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