Meet the 12 Finalists for Google Impact Challenge, as Public Voting Opens

Global tech company, Google has opened up Public voting for its 12 chosen finalists for the first Google Impact Challenge Nigeria. The challenge is a competition to find the most innovative, not-for-profit Nigerian organisations that make use of technology in new ways to solve societal challenges.

We have our finalists for Google Impact challenge Africa! Voting is now open in your respective countries! Go vote now! #GICAfrica For Kenya ( https://t.co/yWcOQYWkjB) for Nigeria (https://t.co/rj0UkCjV7I) for South Africa (https://t.co/LXH5zyUAv5) pic.twitter.com/mgSzyZbQYv

— Google in Africa (@googleafrica) November 5, 2018

The initiative, launched in May, is Google’s way of opening its arms to Nigerian social innovators working to solve challenging social issues. The initiative also seeks bold ideas to grow economic opportunity in the country – and beyond.

Related Post: Google Announces Artificial Intelligence Impact Challenge; Winners to Receive Grants from $25 million Google Fund

“This challenge illustrates how technology, combined with local know-how and a firm resolve, can help to address the challenges so many Nigerians face daily. Innovation is happening all around us. Now is the time to reward those who work tirelessly to improve the lives of all Africans,” Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, Country Director, Google Nigeria, said.

The challenge received over 3,000 submissions from Nigeria, twelve of which are now in the finals. These are:

• BudgiT Foundation – Its Tracka Capital Project raises a community of active citizens who monitor the implementation of government projects to ensure service delivery.
• Bunmi Adedayo Foundation – This non-profit organisation provides continuous in-service training for public primary school teachers.
• HelpMum – Using low-cost innovations and the power of mobile technology to tackle maternal and infant mortality in under-served and remote areas in Nigeria.
• Junior Achievement Nigeria – Provides entrepreneurship and digital skills training for secondary school students.
• LearnFactory Nigeria – Its EmBED (Education made Beautiful, Engaging & Delightful): Making Education Accessible, Affordable, Engaging and Delightful for all kids through technology and border-less classrooms.
• Project Enable Africa – Provides disability-friendly Digital Hubs to promote the access of persons with disabilities and their caregivers to ICT skills and opportunities.
• Rural Development and Reformation Foundation – Its campaign is designed to economically empower women to become skilled artisans using creative recycling technology as a major tool.
• Seed Tracker – IITA – This digital app enhances quality seed production and access to seed markets.
• Solar Sister Nigeria – Empowers women entrepreneurs from under-served communities to build clean energy businesses.
• The Cece Yara Foundation –Its Project Safe Access provides a safe platform for free access to healing and justice for children experiencing sexual abuse in Nigeria.
• The Roothub Tech 101 – A training programme to equip disadvantaged youths in rural areas of Nigeria with digital skills.
• Vetsark – It is planning to launch Alpha Prime Disease Surveillance Technology, a data science technology, to protect crops and livestock from pests and diseases.

The 12 winning non-profits will have access to guidance, technical assistance and mentorship from Google. They would be further split into groups of four winners and eight runners-up. The 4 winners will receive $250,000 each and the 8 runners-up will receive $125,000. The group of 4 would be based on people’s choice and judge-selection and as such, the public can vote for their best organization for a chance to have their reward doubled and win $250,000.

Click here to place your vote. Voting ends November 25.

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