"Apps for Innovation" Developer Contest
Sponsored by The Innovation Movement

"Apps for Innovation" is the Innovation Movement's first annual software application development contest. The Innovation Movement is a coalition of Americans who believe innovation is the key to reviving the global economy and creating new American jobs. We believe that Congress and the private sector need to work together to support policies that stimulate America's innovation economy and promote entrepreneurship.

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HOW TO COMPETE

We're looking for apps that fit into one of two categories:

Category 1:

Apps that illuminate with data how innovation and entrepreneurial activity are at work across America.

Examples: An app that mashes up Federal Communications Commission broadband data over a Google Map to show the need for high-speed Internet deployment in rural areas. Or, perhaps an Apple iPhone app that uses Department of Commerce data to let people track how international trade agreements impact the U.S. GDP. Another option would be to create an app that measures the number of venture-backed start-ups in cities across America (hint: the National Venture Capital Association keeps that data).

Category 2:

Apps that will help the members of the Innovation Movement advance policy goals that support innovation.

Examples: This could be an app that allows members of the grassroots movement to better communicate with members of Congress – or perhaps its an app that allows members to see how members vote on various policies that protect or hinder innovation. Points are awarded for creativity!

Think you've got what it takes? Then...

1. Choose Your Platform: The application platform is completely open to you. Entries can be client applications, web-based applications, Java applications, apps for Facebook, the Apple iPhone, the Android phone, etc.
   
   
2. Design A Cool App: Your apps must fit into at least one of the two categories outlined above.
   
   
3. Join The Movement: Contestants must join/be members of the Innovation Movement (it is free to join the movement).
   
   
4. Submit Your App: Submit an application and tell us how your app supports one or both of the above categories.

NOTE: Developers may submit more than one application but can only win once.

Please review the official contest rules.

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DEADLINE

Submissions must be received before midnight Pacific Time on November 6, 2009. Winners will be announced November 10, 2009 at a CES Press Event in New York City.

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JUDGING CRITERIA

• Potential for furthering the mission of the Innovation Movement.
• Potential usability of the app for participatory democracy.
• Originality of the app.
• Usefulness to constituents for advocating positive economic, scientific and technological change with their members of Congress.

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PRIZES

Finalists and the Grand Prize Winner will be announced on November 10, 2009 at a CES Press Event in New York City.

• The Grand Prize Winner receives a golden ticket (includes one hotel room and roundtrip airfare) to the 2010 International CES, where they will get a front-row seat at the epicenter of innovation -- the largest gathering for consumer technology in the world, held January 7-10, 2010 in Las Vegas. In addition, the Grant Prize Winner receives a $10,000 cash prize.
• Second Place winner receives $5,000.
• Third Place winner receives $3,500.

Developers may submit more than one application but can only win once.

The best submissions will be made available to the public in the Apps for Innovation Library.

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JUDGES

• John Zogby, President and CEO, Zogby International
• Michael Masnick, CEO and Founder, Techdirt
• Jonah Seiger, Founder and Managing Partner, Connections Media LLC
• Leslie Harris, President and CEO, Center for Democracy and Technology
• Michael Petricone, SVP of Government Affairs, CEA