Two Austrian contests for mobile app developers

App developers working in or for Austria can submit their apps to two different contests now: the Apps4Linz Prize of the Open Commons Region Linz and the Mobile Award Austria (MAwA) by the Economic Chamber of Austria (WKO). One of them even offer cash prizes of up to € 3,000.

Just having won an award alone will not boost your app sales, but it is surely an advantage in communicating the benefits of your apps to media, bloggers and others. Two Austrian contests offer you just that.

National: MAwA12

The Mobile Award Austria (MAwA12) describes itself as the benchmark for Austria's mobile industry. Winners of the award will get exposure on a gala event during the Austrian eDay, in the MAwA Guide and through media relations work by the organisation. It does not give away cash prizes.

Apps can be submitted until January 31st in 6 + 1 categories

1. Business Solutions & mGovernment
2. Marketing, Commerce, Stores
3. Tourism, Mobility, Sustainability
4. Media, Culture, Education
5. Social Communities, Games, Entertainment
6. Health, Sports & Lifestyle
+ New Comer Award for students, pupils, trainees and amateurs

Participating in the MAwA demands a €115 participation fee, except for the Newcomer Award (supported by the Institute for Economic Promotion - WiFi), which has a reduced participation fee of €20.

The award states it is open to anyone, whose domicile, company or - in the case of the Newcomer Award - university is situated in Austria, so developers from other countries should also be welcome as long as there is some connection to Austria. You can submit apps for any mobile OS as well as mobile websites.

Open Data: Apps4Linz

A bit more focussed, but nonetheless at least as interesting is the Apps4Linz prize. Developers, no matter where they are from, can submit any app that is using the open data of the Linz_Open Data Portal. So some kind of connection to the Upper Austrian city is probably an advantage.

Unlike the MAwA, and in line with the ideas of open data, the Apps4Linz prize does not ask for any registration fee. On the contrary, you have the opportunity to win cash money and non-cash prizes.

The prizes differ by category:

Developers:
1st - Fabasoft-Prize: € 3,000
2nd - BlackBerry-Prize: € 2,000
3rd - LINZ AG-Prize: € 1,000
4th-6th: non-cash prizes

Companies:
1st - Fabasoft-Prize: Trophy, Certificate
2nd - Prize: Certificate
3rd - Prize: Certificate

Special Prizes:
Tourism App: € 1,000
PSS App: € 1,000
Best Idea: € 1,000

As open data is very much about the common good, your apps will have to be available for free during the competition and at least the six months after. Deadline for submission is April 2nd.


See also:
Open Data special prize at the Content Award Vienna
December Top Member App: Vienna Location Service
Mobile component market Chupa gives away $10,000 in contest

Forum: Open Data - Are you using it? Would you like to?