The Innovation Movement, a coalition spearheaded by the Consumer Electronics Association to advocate “…policies that stimulate America’s innovation economy and promote entrepreneurship,” launched a contest recently that caught my attention.
Targeting software application developers, Apps for Innovation is calling for entries in one of two categories:
- Apps that illuminate with data how innovation and entrepreneurial activity are at work across America
- Apps that will help the members of the Innovation Movement advance policy goals that support innovation
The grand prize winner will receive hotel accommodations and roundtrip airfare to the 2010 International CES, to be held Las Vegas. A $10,000 cash prize is also offered to the lucky winner, with smaller cash prizes awarded to the second and third place winners. The contest closes on December 14th.
While the application form suggests the contest is only open to residents of the US (the contest rules were currently not accessible online at the time of the writing of this post), it got me thinking. What would a “made in Canada” apps-for-innovation contest look like?
To see the contest details, go to: Apps for Innovation – The Innovation Movement

Helen Kula sources and delivers market data and intelligence to entrepreneurs, high-growth companies and MaRS staff and advisors. She is an active member of Toronto’s information professional and librarian communities.