SAP India, a subsidiary of SAP AG (NYSE: SAP), today announced a new initiatives aimed at unlocking the potential for entrepreneurs and small and midsize businesses to drive economic growth, innovation and job creation, which in turn is key to SAP’s long-term success. SAP has joined with Ashoka Changemakers to launch a competition focused on “The Power of Small: Entrepreneurs Strengthening Local Economies” aimed at helping emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses grow and thrive in underserved communities.
Being one of the largest market of small and medium sized enterprises (SME) , the segment contribute to over 40% of industrial output, forming a strong backbone of economy. Since they are deeply connected to local resources and needs, small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs have an unmatched ability to leverage the core competencies of their region, while respecting societal needs and operating in a responsible and sustainable manner. Despite the capability of emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses to drive and create sustainable and inclusive economies, they often lack the infrastructure required to utilize their potential to the fullest. SAP’s “Power of Small” competition aspires to meet such critical needs and address the challenges in order to provide them with the necessary infrastructure so that the emerging entrepreneurs can make a greater impact on the society.
The online competition has been open to participation since June 20, 2012. Through this competition, the company seeks innovative strategies from organizations and partnerships around the world and in India to help small businesses grow and thrive in underserved communities. Proposed solutions of entries must focus on providing entrepreneurs in emerging or established markets with the infrastructure they need to reach their full potential and create a larger and sustainable impact on society.
“SAP believes in the power of small business and entrepreneurs to drive the innovation and job creation that the world needs,” said Eric Duffaut, president, Ecosystem & Channels, SAP AG. “We are committed to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs to help the world run better and improve people’s lives.”
Participants can submit entries until September 5, 2012, which will be evaluated based on the key criteria of innovation, social impact and sustainability. Four winners will each receive US$10,000, as a technology donation, promotion and networking opportunities with SAP executives and customers at the SAPPHIRE® NOW conference. Winners will be announced during the event, being held November 13-15 in Madrid, Spain.
About Ashoka Changemakers
Ashoka Changemakers is a community of action that connects social entrepreneurs around the globe to share ideas, inspire, and mentor each other. Through its online collaborative competitions and Open Growth platform, Changemakers.com is one of the world’s most robust spaces for launching, discussing, and funding ideas to solve the world’s most pressing social problems. Changemakers builds on Ashoka's three-decade history and belief that we all have the ability to be a Changemaker. Ashoka is the global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs—more than 2,500 men and women with system-changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems.
About SAP
As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device – SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 195,000 customers (includes customers from the acquisition of SuccessFactors) to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com.
Sourced From: Genesis Burson-Maresteller
Being one of the largest market of small and medium sized enterprises (SME) , the segment contribute to over 40% of industrial output, forming a strong backbone of economy. Since they are deeply connected to local resources and needs, small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs have an unmatched ability to leverage the core competencies of their region, while respecting societal needs and operating in a responsible and sustainable manner. Despite the capability of emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses to drive and create sustainable and inclusive economies, they often lack the infrastructure required to utilize their potential to the fullest. SAP’s “Power of Small” competition aspires to meet such critical needs and address the challenges in order to provide them with the necessary infrastructure so that the emerging entrepreneurs can make a greater impact on the society.
The online competition has been open to participation since June 20, 2012. Through this competition, the company seeks innovative strategies from organizations and partnerships around the world and in India to help small businesses grow and thrive in underserved communities. Proposed solutions of entries must focus on providing entrepreneurs in emerging or established markets with the infrastructure they need to reach their full potential and create a larger and sustainable impact on society.
“SAP believes in the power of small business and entrepreneurs to drive the innovation and job creation that the world needs,” said Eric Duffaut, president, Ecosystem & Channels, SAP AG. “We are committed to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs to help the world run better and improve people’s lives.”
Participants can submit entries until September 5, 2012, which will be evaluated based on the key criteria of innovation, social impact and sustainability. Four winners will each receive US$10,000, as a technology donation, promotion and networking opportunities with SAP executives and customers at the SAPPHIRE® NOW conference. Winners will be announced during the event, being held November 13-15 in Madrid, Spain.
About Ashoka Changemakers
Ashoka Changemakers is a community of action that connects social entrepreneurs around the globe to share ideas, inspire, and mentor each other. Through its online collaborative competitions and Open Growth platform, Changemakers.com is one of the world’s most robust spaces for launching, discussing, and funding ideas to solve the world’s most pressing social problems. Changemakers builds on Ashoka's three-decade history and belief that we all have the ability to be a Changemaker. Ashoka is the global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs—more than 2,500 men and women with system-changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems.
About SAP
As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device – SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 195,000 customers (includes customers from the acquisition of SuccessFactors) to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com.
Sourced From: Genesis Burson-Maresteller
