FrontlineSMS allows you to text message with large groups of people anywhere there is a mobile signal.

$1 million African News Innovation Challenge (ANIC)

Hey guys,

I just thought I'd alert you to a new $1m innovation fund for African digital & mobile media entrepreneurs.

We're looking for ideas you think would revolutionise African journalism, by changing the way that African media gathers news and also the way that it engages with audiences. We're specifically interested in mobile projects, ranging from data-driven stuff, to text-based.

Successful applicants will get cash + engineering support + business mentorship + tickets to world media conferences (SxSW, Le Web, etc) to market their project. The cash portion of the grants range from $12,500 to $100,000.

The competition website will only launch later this month, with the call for entries scheduled for late Jan 2012. But, we've set up a basic FB pg at http://on.fb.me/vLPpub for people to begin registering their interest + to be kept in the loop on any developments. The FB pg also has links to the press releases, presentations, procedures, etc.

The fund is being championed by the continent's largest umbrella association of media owners and operators, the African Media Initiative (AMI), in partnership with the ICFJ and major funders such as Google, Omidyar Networks, the Gates Foundation, the Knight Foundation, and others. The World Association of Newspapers & News Producers (WAN-IFRA) has also pledged business mentoring, global marketing, and other business support services for winners.

I'm helping manage the fund, so shout if anyone has questions, or suggestions.

Cheers,
Justin

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by kiwanja on December 14, 2011 at 4:59am

Thanks, Justin! Have just tweeted this. Looks great.

Ken

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Permalink Reply by Amy O'Donnell on December 16, 2011 at 9:58am

Hi Justin,

Thanks so much for letting us know about this great opportunity - it certainly sounds like something very relevant to many FrontlineSMS users. As we embark on the Knight News Challenge project, I'll be sure to spread the word. Really look forward to seeing how this opportunity develops - please keep us posted!

Kind Regards,

Amy