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m2Work: From millions of tasks to thousands of jobs

07.02.2012
 

m2Work, a global challenge by the World Bank’s infoDev and Nokia’s IdeasProject, is offering a total of US$ 40,000 in cash prizes and one-of-a-kind business mentorship to entrepreneurs with good ideas for mobile microwork. Microwork refers to small digital tasks people can perform anywhere to supplement their income. With the support of the World Bank, UKaid and the government of Finland, the contest aims to create jobs and stimulate sustainable growth.

 

Currently, most microwork requires access to computers. m2Work aims to transfer these tasks to mobile phones, which could have broad job creating potential given the five billion cellular phones in the developing world.

 

The contest’s high-profile jury, which includes representatives of Nokia, the World Bank, academia and the wider technology investment sector, will award individual prizes based on each idea’s potential development impact, innovativeness and feasibility. Submissions will be accepted through April 2, and the first spot prizes are available now.

 

infoDev, a global partnership program in the World Bank, uses its vast network of Mobile Applications Labs (mLabs) and business incubators to help tech entrepreneurs every step of the way, from a seed-stage idea to a thriving start-up that creates sustainable jobs. The m2Work challenge wants to fuel the race for the best ideas and spark a goal-oriented, global discussion about mobile microwork.

The details can be found here. 

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