€75K prize for best idea that improves business or government efficiencies by means of satellite navigation

In line with the European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC), NAVTEQ® – the leading global provider of maps, traffic, and location data that makes navigation, location-based services, and mobile advertising possible – is searching for mobile enterprise solutions. The best idea that improves business or government efficiencies by means of satellite navigation will receive a support package worth EUR 75,000. Deadline for submitting ideas is 30 June, 2011.

Consumers are not the only ones to enjoy the benefits of location-based services. Companies and governments are also discovering the new opportunities that come with using location-aware technologies to manage their workforce and assets. With the increase in connectivity and growing availability of location information, mobile enterprise applications should see a rise in adoption by organisations looking for increased productivity.

That is why NAVTEQ® is sponsoring a special topic prize in the international ideas competition ESNC. The prize is designed to encourage devel¬opers to submit innovative location-based services that target businesses or govern¬ments. “Location-aware appli-cations are one of the most popular and profitable cate¬gories of downloads,” said Marc Naddell, vice president of Partner and Developer Pro¬grams at NAVTEQ, “and new advances in technology will send adoption rocketing. Our relationship with ESNC enables us to tap into the creativity of the developer community and empower them to develop and market the next great app.”

Mobile enterprise solutions primarily aim at improving business efficiencies or enabling revenue generation. The potential application areas span diverse industries, and submitted ideas could head in many directions. For example, they could optimise the use of fixed or mobile assets, aid emergency planning or security initiatives, or improve geomarketing, local Internet search, and advertising. To meet these challenges, participants should mention how satellite positioning technology and NAVTEQ location content, such as map or traffic data, would be incorporated as part of their submitted idea.

The entrant with the most innovative idea will receive an intensive support package from NAVTEQ, including a 12-month incubation programme with free access to NAVTEQ map data, content, and services. A personal technical assistant will assist in seeing the winning idea through to successful implementation. Furthermore, the winner will receive coaching, technical and business development support, web promotions through the NAVTEQ Network for Developers, and the opportunity to present the final application to NAVTEQ’s customers.

Last year, the Parking Dialogue app won this popular special topic prize. Marc van Gent and his team from The Netherlands had developed an app to make finding and paying parking meters unnecessary. With the app, all it takes to start and end your parking session is a click on your smartphone. The app uses satellite-positioning technology to identify the parking area and the details related to it. “We can’t wait to begin working with NN4D to implement our application so that motorists from around the world can benefit from its use,” van Gent said after winning the prize.

The European satellite Navigation Competition is an international ideas competition that awards the best ideas based on satellite navigation. Anyone can participate, from companies and entrepreneurs to research institutes, universities, and private individuals. What counts is the idea. Between 1 April and 30 June, participants can submit their ideas at www.galileo-masters.eu.

Having started in 2004 with three partner regions, the ESNC has since grown into a global network of innovation and expertise. More than 20 regions now compete against each other to produce the overall winner – the Galileo Master – who receives EUR 20,000 and the chance to realise their idea in an incubation centre of their choice.