Thursday, September 22, 2011

Winners of the first Intel -Department of Science & Technology (DST) Asia Pacific Challenge 2011 announced

Teams from Japan and Philippines have won the coveted Intel- DST Asia Pacific Challenge for 2011 for their innovative projects. The Japanese team led by Eiichi Yamaguchi won the first prize for its Portable UV Index Sensors and their Networking Systems. Joshua Rueben Go Aragon and Laurence Erich Chiang Co of Philippines won the second prize for their design and fabrication of a jointed articulating laparoscopic tool. Intel- DST Asia Pacific Challenge 2011 is a unique initiative in the area of technology innovation to recognize outstanding ideas by youth and technology start ups that address social issues across 10 Asia-Pacific countries.




The Intel-DST Asia Pacific Challenge, is designed for individual innovators and technology startups, organized by the Asia-Pacific Incubation Network (APIN) in collaboration with Intel and the Department of Science and Technology (Government of India), across 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This initiative aims to showcase excellence in technology innovation and entrepreneurship in Asia-Pacific, to deliver innovation and entrepreneurship in business incubation in the Asia Pacific.



“We believe that technological innovation is the driver of future economic and social success. With this initiative, Intel seeks to be an accelerator of innovation and entrepreneurship amongst incubators and technology start-ups in the region,” said Dr. Praveen Vishakantaiah, Intel India President.



“Despite the growing entrepreneurial base, investors are finding it difficult to identify the appropriate opportunities. Companies like Intel and Asia Pacific Incubation Network who share their technological expertise and foster development of innovative technological skills, play a crucial role in this significant endeavor by presenting the best innovations and entrepreneurial skills that help to make this world a better place. This collaboration aims for advancement in social development by providing an opportunity to participate in the global events like this.” said H.K. Mittal, advisor, National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), DST, Government of India.


The Intel -DST 2011 grand winners split a total prize of US$15, 000 for their innovations. The grand winners will also be eligible for a direct entry to showcase their projects at "Intel Global Challenge at UC Berkeley", a premier world stage for technology entrepreneurship.


About the Intel Department of Science & Technology (DST) Asia Pacific Challenge



The Program aims to create a platform for identifying high-tech, high-potential technology innovations that help addressing the larger issues faced by the society in the sectors of health, energy, climate change, education, and rural empowerment, among others, across 10 Asia-Pacific countries. The youth segment is the key agent for driving socio-economic development and technological innovation in Asia-Pacific. The Intel-DST Challenge aims to promote science and technology and cultivate the creative spirit and practical ability of today’s youth to solve the key challenges facing society today.



Winners were selected through a competitive process that reviewed 50 participants; the expert panel consisted of faculty and academicians from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and reputed Venture Capitalists (VCs).



About Intel

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.