In order to fulfil its commitment to implementing the Strategic Vision Plan 2023–2025, the Nigerian Communications Commission has started the third iteration of the Talent Hunt Research through Hackathon.
This strategy plan intends to stimulate Nigeria’s sustainable economic growth while supporting the creation of cutting-edge technologies and locally produced content.
Tech Hubs and Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs) in Nigeria have received invites from NCC, which encourages them to take part in the Talent Hunt Research by submitting their creative companies and solutions.
The Hackathon will centre on three main themes: Blockchain-enabled Data Protection Solutions for Regulatory Compliance, Assistive Technology Solutions for the Elderly and People with Disabilities, and Technology Solutions for Renewable Energy in Rural Areas, according to a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs of the NCC, Reuben Muoka.
In order to foster local innovation and content creation within the telecoms sector and ultimately contribute to economic and social advancement in Nigeria, Muoka outlined how the programme made use of emerging digital technologies.
According to him, competitors will have the chance to turn innovative concepts into workable hardware and software solutions that address business and societal problems.
The top three solutions, one from each of the four subject areas, will also get incentives totaling N10 million to help them develop further.
Participants must also have a certificate of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), be free of former NCC funding, and demonstrate a clear alignment with one of the three thematic areas in order to be eligible, according to NCC. Participants must also offer a clear problem definition, a suggested solution, and a deployment schedule.
Read Also: Three detained in Rivers for alleged murder, organ harvesting
A proof of concept presentation, claiming intellectual property ownership, finishing prototype development within six months of funding acceptance, and establishing a thorough commercialization plan are other crucial requirements.
The Commission added that according to the entry submission format, the proposal had to contain ideation, a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and solution, current sweat equity investment, product-market fit status, verifiable go-to-market status, growth feasibility assurances, a maturity model and timeliness, and, where appropriate, existing time for disaster recovery.
The NCC stated that all submissions must be submitted online and must adhere to the specified entry format. It also stated that there is no fee to enter the competition, and the Commission retains full control and ownership of the developed solutions’ intellectual property.
According to NCC, entries must be submitted by a Tech Hub/Innovation-Driven Enterprise and include a 4-page Executive summary of the project concept, a 3- to 5-minute video of the pilot project, names, ages, contact information, passport photos, team member profiles, the website (if available), as well as the applicant’s email address.
It further stated that all qualifying and interested businesses should send the necessary paperwork in a zip folder to https://ncc.gov.ng/talenthuntresearchhackathon2023 with the subject line “Submission from” and the zip file with the name of the company.
The Commission noted that it had a three-week advertisement on the Hackathon and asked those in the startup ecosystem to be aware that the application deadline was Friday, September 22, 2023.
