Airtel Launches Singtel/Airtel Accelerator Challenge for Startup Software Developers

Bharti Airtel, the world’s third largest telecommunications services provider has launched an application challenge for startup developers as it seeks to attract the ‘next big app developers’ into the Airtel group of companies.

The challenge - a partnership between Bharti Airtel, Singaporean Telecommunications Company, Singtel and smartphone company Samsung - seeks to attract developers in Africa and Asia who will partner with the companies to launch applications on the two continents.

Two local winners from Africa will participate in the Startup Mentorship Program in October in Singapore.

Announcing the partnership, Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Christian de Faria said that the challenge reiterates the company’s commitment to empowering the youth to realize their potential in various sectors including Information Communication and Technology.

“This initiative is a great opportunity for developers in Africa to come up with innovative mobile apps that directly touch individual consumer’s needs. We hope to partner with like-minded individuals who will come forward and work together with us to come up with apps that will help us deliver the best smartphone experience for customers,” said Mr. de Faria.

Under the partnership, Airtel Africa will provide all operational support by running the campaign promotions while Singtel and Samsung together will organize a two- day mentorship program for the regional winners and the finale in November 2015.

The five-month app challenge will see participants develop consumer-centric mobile applications that will leverage on mobile network services – mobile, data, carrier billing, location and SMS.

Important Deadlines:

• All submissions should be in by September 5, 2015 
• Country-level Winner will be announced on September 15, 2015 
• Airtel Africa Winner will be announced on September 30, 2015 
• Singtel Group-Samsung Regional winner will be announced in December, 2015

Criteria for Apps:

All submissions should be consumer-centric mobile apps or solutions that leverage on mobile network services to deliver value, e.g. mobile data, carrier billing, location, SMS, etc.