NCC Makes Grant Offer of N10 Million for 2023 Hackathon Talent Hunt

The Nigerian Communications Commission, as part of its dedication to achieving the Strategic Vision Plan 2023–2025, has started the third iteration of the Talent Hunt Research through Hackathon.

This strategy plan seeks to promote the emergence of innovative technologies and locally produced content while promoting Nigeria’s sustainable economic growth.

Tech Hubs and Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs) have all been invited by NCC to participate in the Talent Hunt Research by presenting their creative businesses and ideas.

The hackathon will focus on three main themes: technology solutions for renewable energy in rural areas, assistive technology solutions for the elderly and people with disabilities, and blockchain-enabled data protection solutions for regulatory compliance, according to a statement signed by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka.

According to Muoka, the programme made use of cutting-edge digital technology to foster indigenous innovation and content creation in the telecommunications industry, ultimately promoting social and economic advancement in Nigeria.

Read Also: Newly appointed CBN Governor, Cardoso faces tough test amid FX crisis, rising rates

Innovators would have the chance to turn their ideas into workable hardware and software solutions that address business and societal problems, he claimed.
A grant of N10 million will be given to the top three proposals, one from each of the four theme areas, he added.
Participants must also provide a certificate of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), demonstrate that they have not previously received support from NCC, and ensure that they are clearly aligned with one of the three thematic areas in order to be considered eligible, according to NCC. A clear problem definition, a suggested solution, and a deployment strategy must also be presented by participants.

Asserting intellectual property rights, delivering a proof of concept, finishing prototype development within six months of grant acceptance, and developing a thorough commercialization plan are other crucial requirements.

The entry submission format, according to the commission, stipulates that the proposal must include ideation, a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and solution, current sweat equity investment, product-market fit status, verifiable go-to-market status, growth feasibility assurances, maturity model and timeliness, and, where applicable, disaster recovery.

There is no fee to enter the competition, and the Commission retains complete control and ownership of the developed solutions’ intellectual property, according to NCC, which also stated that all submissions must be submitted online and in accordance with the required entry format.
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, the names, ages, contact information, passport photos, and team member profiles of all team members, as well as the website (if available) and the applicant’s email address.
It further said that all qualifying and interested businesses should send the necessary paperwork in a zip folder to https://ncc.gov.ng/talenthuntresearchhackathon2023, with the name of the company in the zip file’s name and “Submission from” as the email subject.

The Commission further said that it had been running an advertisement on the Hackathon for three weeks and asked those involved in the startup ecosystem to take note that applications must be submitted by Friday, September 22, 2023.