The Underdog Tech Award, a brand-new international competition, has been launched by InDrive. The e-hailing company aims to uncover the creators of the best digital startups that originate outside of important tech hubs and start-up communities.
Early-stage tech companies outside of the major tech hubs are eligible for the Underdog Tech Award.
Start-ups with a strong potential for rapid growth and the potential to have a significant beneficial impact on their communities are eligible for inclusion.
InDrive has expanded to include various Nigerian cities, including Kano, Kaduna, Benin City, Nnewi, Aba, Onitsha, Jos, Enugu, Warri, Abeokuta, Akure, Owerri, Calabar, Ado, Ekiti, Uyo, and Port Harcourt after Mark Loughran was named the company’s group president.
Loughran, Group president, inDrive, said: “We consider it essential to support those who are initially deprived or have difficulty accessing the necessary resources. For example, we have already established the Aurora Tech Award, an award for women in IT, along with other initiatives to support those who need and deserve it.
“Now we have organized an award for underdogs. We at inDrive are still underdogs, and proud of it. We aim to support innovative startups that make the world better.”
The application phase, began yesterday, September 19, and will conclude on 1 December 1. Award nominees will be shortlisted in December.
The Underdog Tech Award, according to the company, was created to honor technological start-ups that have succeeded despite geographic limitations, including limited finance and resource availability.
The winner will receive publicity support, a cash prize (the prize money is $60,000), comments from the judges and venture capitalists, the chance to train with industry experts, and more, in addition to the notoriety that comes with winning the award.
The application is open, and interested founders can click here to apply.