Aims of the EAI Prototype Demo Competition:

• To reward inventive European research and innovation projects at the prototype stage
• To promote new products, industrial processes or services with a major contribution to innovation within the ICT field in Europe.

Why take part in a prototype demo competition?

EAI summits provide a unique platform for visibility and recognition within the ICT community for companies and individuals to showcase your prototype stage innovations. Introducing a prototype before business development experts and corporate investors at an EAI Summit can help take your innovation development to the next level while offering the opportunity to network with a pool of international investors, companies and other important industry players.  During the Summit, specific times throughout the program will be dedicated to provide time for interaction among interested Summit participants.

Top prototypes will be recognised with EAI Awards including prominent postings in EAI digital publications which receive wide distribution to EAI Community and membership.

Benefits include:

• Recognition by an extensive community of professionals and industry leaders
• The chance of having your work published in prestigious journals and EAI’s digital library
• The opportunity to present your work at an upcoming summit

Who is eligible to participate?

• EAI members or Community participants with innovative prototypes relevant to the scope of the EAI Summit are welcome to submit prototype demos.

How do EAI Prototype Demo Competitions Work?

Submissions

The Summit SME Prototype Review Track will be advertised in all Summit-related promotional materials, Call for Submissions, and the Summit website. Submissions will be accepted approximately 4-6 months prior to the Summit as established by the Summit Planning Committee.

Submissions consist of:

• Profile:Background and contact information of submitting individual, team or company.
• Product Description:1,500 words maximum in English addressing the award criteria.
• Prototype video, website or PowerPoint presentation

Space for prototype demos will be available for a fee in the Summit exhibition area.  In order to be considered for the Competition, participants must be paid participants in the Summit Demo. At the Summit you will have the possibility to display your prototype poster, display or presentation.

Judging Panel and Criteria

Reviewers consist of Innovation Cycle stakeholders including business development experts, patent attorneys, venture capitalists, and other service providers.  While exact criteria are decided upon by the Summit Planning Committee, general guidelines will take into account technology relevance, innovative edge, business approach/potential, “patentability” and practical applicability.  Submissions will also be posted on the EAI portal and will receive feedback from the EAI community.

Reviewers: All reviewers must sign an EAI Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) stating that they will not make use of or benefit in any way from confidential information related to the prototype.

Participants: Participants in the competition warrant that their ideas are their own. Where ideas include component-ideas or materials by others, applicants warrant that any intellectual property owned by others and used in their submissions is approved for use and appropriately attributed.  The copyright or patent for any material submitted for the competition remains with the original owner.

Notification of Selection

Competition winners will be announced at the Summit and recognized in one of the plenary sessions where all Summit participants will be in attendance.  Competition entrants may also be highlighted in one of the track sessions.

Awards

Submissions will be considered by the expert review committee for the Best SME Prototype Demo Competition. In addition, the Community will vote for the best contribution on the EAI Portal prior and during the event. Prizes may include complimentary registration for the following year’s Summit or alternative prizes such as cash awards, if sponsorship is provided.

Competition winners will be announced at the Summit and recognized in one of the plenary sessions where all Summit participants will be in attendance. Top prototypes will be recognised with EAI Awards including prominent postings in EAI digital publications which receive wide distribution to EAI Community and membership.  Competition entrants may also be highlighted in one of the tra