Deadline: January 29, 2021.

Cisco is committed to positively impacting 1 billion people by 2025. As part of our work, we seek to inspire and empower a generation of global problem solvers who will not only survive – but drive and thrive – in our 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 we’re here to help. 

Their fifth annual Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge aims to recognize new business ideas that leverage technology for social impact from entrepreneurs around the world. Our 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.

ELIGIBILITY

This Contest is open and offered only to

(1) individuals age eighteen (18) years or older at the time of registration (“Individual Participant”)

(2) teams of up to five individuals age eighteen (18) years or older at the time of registration (“Team Participant”)

(3) legal business entities (“Business Entity Participant”).

PRIZES

In 2021, for our fifth annual Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge, we are offering an expanded prize pool of $1 million USD, spread across 20 different awards. These prizes will recognize new business ideas that leverage technology for social impact from early-stage entrepreneurs around the world.

• $250,000 USD Grand PrizeA single team will be designated the grand prize winner.

• $75,000 USD Regional First Runners-UpThree 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-UpThree teams will be designated the second runners-up and will receive $50,000 USD each.

• $25,000 USD Third Runners-UpThree teams will be designated the third runners-up and will receive $25,000 USD each.

• $10,000 USD Fourth Runners-UpThree teams will be designated the fourth runners-up and will receive $10,000 USD each.

• $10,000 USD People’s ChoiceThe finalist entry that receives the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award.

• $10,000 USD Cisco Employees’ ChoiceThe finalist entry that receives the most votes will receive the Cisco Employees’ Choice Award.

2021 SPECIAL PRIZES

• $50,000 USD Greenhouse Gas Solutions PrizeA single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.

• $50,000 USD Ethical AI PrizeA single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.

• $50,000 USD Digital Inclusivity PrizeA single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.

• $50,000 USD HBCU Startup PrizeA single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.

• $50,000 USD Pandemic Response PrizeA single team will be designated as the winner of this prize.

OFFICIAL LINK

https://cisco.innovationchallenge.com/cisco-global-problem-solver-challenge-2021/overview