Company Announcement - MyWorld of Tomorrow in partnership with Business Day are launching the South African Innovation Awards to recognise innovative companies, products and services across the public and private sector. MyWorld of Tomorrow was launched by Business Connexion in 2014 to create a platform to showcase technological innovation at its best. Matthew Blewett, Chief Investment Officer at Business Connexion says: “Innovation is one of the primary differentiators in a successful business and as BCX we want to acknowledge the front-runners in innovation and give exposure to the phenomenal work being done by both individuals, organisations and communities. Innovation will also play a critical role in driving economic growth for the African continent.”

The awards consist of nine categories, with specific categories catering for SMMEs, corporates and public sector. The categories include; SMME Innovation of the Year, SMME Innovator or the Year, Corporate Innovation of the Year, Corporate Innovator of the Year, Public Sector Innovation of the Year and Public Sector Innovator of the Year.

The Community Innovation Award will apply to innovation benefiting and shaping specific communities. Where three or more parties have worked together to co-create innovative products they will be recognised through the Collaborative Innovation of the Year Award. Finally, to broaden the scope and footprint of the awards, there’s the Hall of Fame to recognise specific projects, processes and people that have contributed to innovation in the country and across the continent. “MyWorld of Tomorrow is all about creating a movement allowing African people to share and discover solutions to everyday problems,” says Blewett. “These awards provide the often unsung heroes of innovation a platform to showcase what they are doing and be rewarded for their hard work.”

In order to qualify, products and services must have been launched or implemented between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015. Entries are open and will close on 31 July 2015. More information as well as the entry submission forms are available at www.mwotafrica.com

Trevor Ormerod, GM: Group Sales at Times Media Limited says, “As one of the leading media houses in the country we have covered a myriad of stories about innovation in the many sectors of the economy and society and Business Day is the perfect platform to give further exposure to South Africa’s unfolding innovation legacy.” The finalists will be announced in September 2015 and the awards presentation is set to take place on 21 October 2015 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.