Innovation Showcase is Back
Announcing the 2nd annual Innovation Showcase at Enterprise Connect 2012. By popular demand it's back!
The first Innovation Showcase took place last year, and featured four promising young companies with innovative ideas and services to improve enterprise communications. Each of the four companies presented on the keynote stage showing off their innovative companies and services, and they also had booths within the Enterprise Connect Exhibition.
Enterprise Connect attracts enterprise organizations of all sizes seeking new and innovative communications solutions. It also attracts major vendors and service providers. While the show has always had a prestigious juried Best of Show award, it can be hard for young companies to get the attention they may deserve.
The Innovation Showcase takes place in two stages. Prior to the show, a panel of IT oriented judges will review applicants based on their innovative contributions to enterprise communications. Four companies will be selected to participate in the showcase. Then, at the conference in March, these four companies will each present their solution on the keynote stage, and obtain a booth in the exhibit hall.
Applying for consideration is simple - just an containing the following information.
- A pitch on company, product, or service - not to exceed 500 words.
- Contact information for application.
- Confirmation of eligibility including the ability to be present at Enterprise Connect and staff a booth in our Innovation Showcase.
- Provide a customer reference and their contact information. Reference must be at an organization with a minimum of 500 employees and either paying for the product or service or formally piloting it. Reference's identity will be kept private if requested.
- All applicants will receive confirmation of entry within 48 hours.
Here is the best part. We understand that the promotion cost of a conference like Enterprise Connect is not typically in the budget for such young products and services. As a result, in addition to the booth and show attendance, each participant will also receive a single hotel room at the conference and up to $600 toward airfare for one person.
Innovation Showcase Participant Eligibility and Criteria
Four companies will be selected for The Innovation Showcase at Enterprise Connect 2012, to be held Mar 26-Mar 29, 2012 at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando FL. Applicants must meet the following eligibility rules and criteria:
- Product, service, or idea must be applicable to enterprise communications including, but not limited to, voice, messaging, collaboration, video, and mobility.
- Submissions for the Innovation Showcase must be a new idea, product, or service as of March 1 2009. Applicants must reference at least one customer that is currently piloting or paying for the product or service. This enterprise reference must be an organization that employs over 250 people. Reference information must include a brief summary of how the product or service is used and contact information for verification. The reference account (and contact information) will not be publicly disclosed and does not need to attend Enterprise Connect 2012.
- Applicants agree to staff the provided booth during exhibit hours and present their company, product and/or service during the Innovation Showcase session at Enterprise Connect 2012.
- Submissions for the Innovation Showcase must have been submitted to the website by 11:59PM Eastern time, February 1, 2012.
Selection Process
- Enterprise Connect has contracted with Verge1 to deliver and manage the Innovation Showcase.
- Verge1 will create a panel of experts to confirm submissions for eligibility. The panel will select the top four applications deemed to be the most innovative for the enterprise.
- Eligible applicants selected for consideration as finalists must disclose any current or prior financial and/or consulting/advisory relationship or other support they have received from United Business Media, Verge1, or any of the panel members.
- Verge1 and United Business Media reserve the right to not advance a submission to the finalist round at any time and for any reason.
- Verge1 and United Business Media reserves the right not to award at any time in the process if it determines to do so is in violation of any local, state, or federal regulation or responsibility, or if additional information surfaces that would make an idea or candidate ineligible.
