Innovation Competition
Now accepting entries!
For our 2023 Annual Conference, SID-US will once again hold a competition to highlight some of our communities’ most creative and compelling innovative work. We welcome everyone to pitch their innovative products and/or services that provide better access to information, increase engagement, improve decision making, or more. Ideally your innovation would address our 2022 conference theme: Inclusive Development: A Healthy, Prosperous, and Resilient Planet for All. However, all entries are welcome.
Sponsored by Accenture, this year’s SID-US Innovation Competition is focused on the conference theme: Power Shift: Defining the Next Decade of Development. Unlike the past, this year’s competition is open to anyone in the international development community to pitch their innovative ideas, early-stage projects, and actionable solutions that will empower untraditional actors to transform development.
This year’s submissions will require individuals, teams, or organizations to include a pitch deck to address the required and optional elements (see below) and a 100-word summary via THIS FORM. The deadline for submission is April 22 at 11:59 pm (EST).
After submission closes, a panel consisting of SID-US, Accenture, and external judges, will select a group of competition finalists who will be invited to present at the live virtual Innovation Showcase as part of the Annual Conference on May 24.
A second set of judges will assess the innovations presented at the Innovation Showcase and vote on the winner(s) while conference attendees will be able to vote for a “Best in Show” through the virtual platform. Winners will be announced during the Closing Plenary on May 24.
Additional Information
Pitch Deck (Max 5 slides)
Required:
Optional:
This year’s submissions will require individuals, teams, or organizations to include a pitch deck to address the required and optional elements (see below) and a 100-word summary via THIS FORM. The deadline for submission is April 22 at 11:59 pm (EST).
After submission closes, a panel consisting of SID-US, Accenture, and external judges, will select a group of competition finalists who will be invited to present at the live virtual Innovation Showcase as part of the Annual Conference on May 24.
A second set of judges will assess the innovations presented at the Innovation Showcase and vote on the winner(s) while conference attendees will be able to vote for a “Best in Show” through the virtual platform. Winners will be announced during the Closing Plenary on May 24.
Additional Information
- This competition is open to anyone. We particularly encourage students to participate in bringing the perspective and ideas of the next generation of development practitioners.
- Finalists and winners will receive certificates from SID-US.
- No monetary award will be associated with the competition.
- Submissions sent after the deadline of April 22 at 11:59 pm (EST) will not be considered.
- SID-US has the right to publish all applications and videos on its website and social media and will credit the submitter.
- Questions regarding the competition shall be directed to: annualconference@sid-us.org.
Pitch Deck (Max 5 slides)
Required:
- Vision, Opportunity, and/or Mission
- Market/Impacted Communities
- Solution
- Social and Financial Impact
Optional:
- Key Stakeholders
- Competitive Advantage
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Next Steps