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Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge 2021: $1 Million USD in Prizes

Deadline: 29-Jan-21

How can early-stage innovative technology solution solve the world’s most pressing social and environmental problems? Suppose this is the question in your mind or you have a solution that uses digital technology to impact society or the environment positively. In that case, you should look at Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge.

Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge aims to recognize new business ideas that leverage technology for social impact from entrepreneurs around the world. Their goal is to advance early-stage projects that are beyond the concept or idea formation stage, but which have not yet generated over $1M USD in funding and/or revenue.

Areas of impact include, but are not limited to, critical human needs like water or food security, healthcare, financial inclusion, education, accessibility, and the environment.

Cisco is committed to positively impacting 1 billion people by 2025. As part of their work, they seek to inspire and empower a generation of global problem solvers who will not only survive – but drive and thrive – in their increasingly digital economy. With the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital technologies connecting devices and data, good ideas now have the ability to make a difference more quickly than ever before – and they’re here to help.

$1,000,000 USD in prize money will help accelerate the adoption of breakthrough technology, products, and services that drive economic development and/or solve social or environmental problems.

Prize Information

  • $250,000 USD Grand Prize: A single team will be designated the grand prize winner.
  • $75,000 USD Regional First Runners-Up: Three teams from Americas, EMEAR and APJC will be designated the regional first runners-up and will receive $75,000 USD each.
  • $50,000 USD Second Runners-Up: Three teams will be designated the second runners-up and will receive $50,000 USD each.
  • $25,000 USD Third Runners-Up: Three teams will be designated the third runners-up and will receive $25,000 USD each.
  • $10,000 USD Fourth Runners-Up: Three teams will be designated the fourth runners-up and will receive $10,000 USD each.
  • $10,000 USD People’s Choice: The finalist entry that receives the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award.
  • $10,000 USD Cisco Employees’ Choice: The finalist entry that receives the most votes will receive the Cisco Employees’ Choice Award.

Special Prize Details

  • $50,000 USD Greenhouse Gas Solutions Prize: A single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.
  • $50,000 USD Ethical AI Prize: A single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.
  • $50,000 USD Digital Inclusivity Prize: A single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.
  • $50,000 USD HBCU Startup Prize: A single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.
  • $50,000 USD Pandemic Response Prize: A single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.

Why should you Participate?

  • They look for projects with a dedicated team and that have completed a proof of concept for the core functionality of the product/service at a minimum.
  • In addition to a cash infusion to develop your solution, it will be reviewed by Cisco technology experts and high-profile judges. You’ll receive peer and industry validation for your solution, as well as have a great opportunity for global recognition and publicity.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Participants may only submit one Entry. Participants are responsible for any costs or expenses associated with preparing and submitting an Entry.
  • All Entries suspected of violating intellectual property rights, or any local or country law(s) will be ineligible. Participants assume all risk of damaged, lost, late, incomplete, invalid, incorrect or misdirected Entries. All Entries (and related information) shall be deemed collected and judged in the United States of America.
  • All Entries must be submitted in English.
  • Each Participant agrees that Sponsor will have the right, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion to contact any Participant regarding a possible transaction or other business relationship with Sponsor to commercially pursue a submitted idea. This Contest is open and offered only to:
    • Individuals
      • Age eighteen (18) years or older at the time of registration (“Individual Participant”).
      • Individual Participants may enter the Contest in their individual capacities to develop and submit a single Entry.
    • Teams
      • As an alternative to participating as a single individual, a group of individuals may elect to form a team (“Team”) of up to five members to develop and submit a single Entry. Each member of the Team (“Team Member”) must accept these Terms and Conditions. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any Team (and all Team Members) if any one Team Member has not accepted these Terms and Conditions.
      • Teams must designate one individual member as the “Team Leader” for contact and Contest administrative purposes. The Team Leader will be responsible for submitting the Entry on behalf of the Team. An individual may only be a member of one Team. In the event an individual on a Team is disqualified, the Team the individual belongs to and the Entry submitted by the Team will be disqualified.
    • Legal Business Entities (“Business Entity Participant”)
        • Business Entity Participants must enter the Contest on behalf of their legal business organizations to develop and submit a single Entry. An Entry submitted by a Business Entity Participant must designate one individual member as the “Business Team Leader” for contact and Contest administrative purposes.
        • The Business Team Leader will be responsible for submitting the Entry on behalf of the Business Entity. Any individual who is employed by a Business Entity Participant may not submit an Entry in his or her individual capacity (i.e., as an Individual Participant, or as part of a Team).
        • Important Note to Business Entities:  By submitting an Entry, you represent and warrant to Sponsor that your Business Team Leader (a) is an authorized representative of the Business Entity Participant, and is submitting the Entry on behalf of such business entity, and (b) has obtained all necessary approvals from the Business Entity Participant to enter the Contest pursuant to these Terms and Conditions, including all employee and corporate permissions to submit any intellectual property to Sponsor. If you have any questions about such authority and permissions, you should work directly with counsel from the Business Entity Participant before submitting any Entry.

PLEASE NOTE: Individual Participants, Team Participants, and/or Business Entity Participants that have previously received monetary awards in the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge or a Cisco prize at the Rice Business Plan Competition are not eligible for this Contest.

For more information, visit https://cisco.innovationchallenge.com/cisco-global-problem-solver-challenge-2021