Atlanta, US - The global trade group for the mobile industry, the GSMA has engaged with Carmel Ventures, a leading VC fund, and other industry players including: Google, Microsoft, Pitango Venture Capital, Sequoia Capital, Amdocs and TheMarker, the leading business website and newspaper in Israel, to present a ‘Virtual' Online tournament in its global mobile innovation competition that will take the most innovative start-up company to compete with international finalists at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, next February. The deadline for entries to the on-line round is August 1st 2008.

Bill Gajda, The Chief Commercial Officer in GSMA said: "The continued growth of mobile communications is bringing benefits to all areas of society. Innovation is at the heart of the industry's dynamic evolution, fuelling radical new technology, products and services that can transform the world." He added "The GSMA continues to actively foster innovation through its Mobile Innovation Market programme, a hub for young, small and medium players to connect with operators and the broader industry."

Rina Shainski, General Partner of Carmel Ventures said:"With over 300 Telecommunications start up companies and 40 International R&D Communications centers, mobile innovation is one of Israel's leading Hi-Tech sectors and a key area for venture investments. Carmel is proud to be GSMA's partner in initiating and organizing this tournament which provides a unique opportunity for Israeli companies to compete for championship at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, next February". During the tournament judging day event on September 16, 2008, ten competing small companies from around the world will have the option to present in person in Israel or via online broadcast and compete in five categories, to be reviewed by senior executives from mobile operators and venture capital funds.

One winner will be named in each of five categories and awarded the title of "GSMA Global Semi-Finalist," from which, one will be selected as "Mobile Innovation Global Finalist" and will move on to compete against other finalists selected from the GSMA's Americas, APAC and EMEA tournaments. One innovator will be named the "GSMA Mobile Innovation Global Champion" during the world's leading communication industry event, the Mobile World Congress, the annual gathering of more than 55,000 industry executives in Barcelona. Each finalist will receive a free trip to the competition at the Congress.

The Mobile Innovation Global Award Competition was created by the GSMA as part of the Mobile Innovation Market, which encourages breakthrough technology, applications and services in the mobile industry by bringing together smaller companies developing innovative mobile products, industry investors from leading venture capital firms, and senior figures from mobile operators and leading global brands.

Mobile Innovation Global Competition Award Categories include:

Courtesy: GSM Association (GSMA), UK

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Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 25 July, 2008 4:01:29 PM IST #