WINBC Calls for Contestants to Enter their Apps

AtoZ writes “Vancouver, BC, January 13, 2005 – With three weeks left to the deadline for entries to the Wireless Innovation Contest 2005 (WIC 05), the Wireless Innovation Network of BC (WINBC) reports the contest has attracted more attention from further away than expected. Currently at 15 entries from across North America, including Nashville, San Jose, Elgin, Markham, Toronto, Vancouver and Medicine Hat, WIC 05’s (www.winbc.org/contest) web site hits increased nearly 60% (over 13,000 hits) in December and November 2004 compared to the same time last year for the inaugural Wireless Innovation Contest.

“We are very pleased to have received entries as early as in December 2004. It really shows that there are lots of wireless deployments and ideas currently underway that companies and its customers want to showcase,†says Caroline Lewko, President of WINBC. “We’re now on the home stretch and are calling out to all companies and inventors in the wireless community to rise to our contest challenge. We look forward to seeing many more entries.â€

The contest will recognize organizations and innovators whose wireless deployments are already making a difference or have the opportunity to change the way we do things, benefiting our communities and generating profits. The contest is open to Canadian and American wireless developers and solution providers that have deployed, and are creating, a wireless solution at one of two levels: “Wireless Excellence†or “Leapfrog – Most Promisingâ€. Contestants can enter their wireless solution in one of four Wireless Excellence categories: entertainment, public sector, community or enterprise, or in one of two Leapfrog categories: commercial or student. The Awards will be announced during CTIA in New Orleans, March 14, 2005.

A panel of independent judges will examine, evaluate and choose a winner and runner-up in each Wireless Excellence category, and four winners from Leapfrog entries. A benefit valued at $100,000, Wireless Excellence winners are rewarded with targeted exposure in media and at trade shows, inclusion in a special case study publication, and a one-hour mentor session with the panel of judges during CTIA Wireless. Three Leapfrog commercial entrants will be awarded free access to NEWT’s state-of-the-art wireless test facility, technical development advice, business mentorship, and venture capital contacts. Valued at $30,000 each, the award is designed to move an idea toward market-ready stage within six months.

For those developers with basic programming skills, WINBC has partnered with Contec Innovations, who is providing entrants with access to its Hornet Accelerator toolkit (http://developers.contec.ca/contest/accelerator.h tml). Entrants using ‘Hornet Accelerator’ will be eligible for the ‘Leapfrog – most promising’ category, either as a pre-commercial or student entrant. The student winner will receive a Nokia N-Gage device and access to NEWT’s state-of-the-art facility to be given the opportunity to bring that application to commercial success.

WINBC, the producer of WIC 05, is supported by key Industry Leaders Nokia and TELUS Mobility, supporting sponsors Contec Innovations, Mobitus and Upside Wireless, by Media Partner Wireless Week, and key partners CTIA, PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, NEWT, CWTA, BCTIA and WiTec Alberta.

Contestants can learn more about entry requirements and rules at www.winbc.org/contest. Deadline for entries is February 1, 2005.

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About WINBC
WINBC (Wireless Innovation Network Society of BC) is the producer of WIC 05 and the focal point for wireless in BC. British Columbia has a history of wireless expertise and innovation, and has a critical mass of 150 wireless companies in all areas of the wireless technology value chain including Sierra Wireless, Nokia and others. WINBC is also the host of the Wireless Innovation Contest. To find your wireless partner go to: www.winbc.org. To see if you are eligible for the contest go to www.winbc.org/contest.

For further information please contact:

Asa Zanatta
Public relations, WINBC
tel: 604 408 1389
azanatta@spiritcommunications.ca
www.winbc.org”