The Connect for Good: Low Power Wireless Sustainability Challenge invites designers to address global issues
2023
Nordic Semiconductor and Wevolver launch competition to tackle issues related to sustainable living and environmental concerns using nRF9160 DK and cellular IoT
Nordic Semiconductor and the Connect for Good: Low Power Wireless Sustainability Challenge invites organizations, individual engineers, start-ups, and students to submit a project that uses low power wireless technology to solve issues related to the United Nations’ Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action, and Life on Land Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of the design, all entries should incorporate the Nordic nRF9160 DK—an affordable, pre-certified single-board development kit for evaluating and developing the nRF9160 SiP for LTE-M, NB-IoT, GNSS, and Bluetooth® LE—and utilize LTE-M/NB-IoT cellular connectivity.
Cellular IoT and technical support
Nordic Semiconductor has partnered with sponsors Mouser Electronics Inc., Soracom, and Crowd Supply to launch the Connect for Good Challenge on the Wevolver platform.
The competition is open from April 13, 2023, until entries close on October 12, 2023. The first 100 valid entries will receive a Nordic nRF9160 DK for low power cellular loT. Each kit will include a SIM card from cellular network provider Soracom loaded with a 2 GB/month cellular data package valued at $900. Nordic Semiconductor is also offering technical support and education for entrants, including Nordic Developer Academy, an online learning platform, and one-on-one technical support through the Nordic DevZone forum.
“The winning design will be an innovative product that is energy-efficient, helps fight climate change, protects ecosystems, or is beneficial to society,” says Geir Langeland, EVP Sales and Marketing, Nordic Semiconductor. “We are excited to have the support of industry-leading sponsors committed to encouraging engineering innovation for the future.”
“The Connect for Good Challenge is a great opportunity to work with a leading semiconductor company that is aiming to drive innovation towards the greater good,” adds Bram Geenen, CEO at Wevolver.
The challenge entries will be reviewed by a five-person judging panel of leaders from Nordic Semiconductor, global distributor of semiconductors and electronic components Mouser, Soracom, crowdfunding and incubation platform Crowd Supply, and engineering community Wevolver. Entries will be judged based on the technical and commercial feasibility of the solution, the level of innovation demonstrated, and the potential impact on the selected SDGs.
Accelerating development
The grand prize winner will receive a $20,000 cash prize to invest in their ideas, along with a year’s subscription to nRF Cloud Services for up to 500 devices (valued at $3,000), Soracom connectivity for each device, and a partnership with the challenge sponsors to accelerate the development of the submitted project. The package will be tailored to provide the winner with the resources and hands-on support they need at their specific production and business stage. In addition, the grand prize will include access to experts from the community and judging panel, global exposure in various media outlets, and a customized public relations package including a feature on Wevolver.
Second prize includes a year’s subscription to nRF Cloud Services for up to 200 devices (valued at $1,300), Soracom connectivity for each device, and a customized public relations package. Third prize includes a year’s subscription to nRF Cloud Services for up to 100 devices (valued at $650) and Soracom connectivity for each device.
For more information on how to enter the Connect for Good Challenge, eligibility rules, judging criteria and other terms and conditions, click here.