contest Archive

The SharedBook Open API Challenge begins today, a contest to award the best extensions from third party applications to SharedBook in three different categories: social networking, photo sharing and desktop applications or collaborative online communities. Entries will be accepted from today through Sept. 30. The winners will be announced Oct. 15.

CenterNetworks spoke with SharedBook executives last month about their product. The judging panel includes Dion Almaer, Co-founder of Ajaxian.com. Winners can select cash, an iPhone or another mobile device.

“We were inspired to offer the SharedBook Open API Challenge when our developers were able to show us a working example of the Blog2Print blog printing widget in just a few days,” said Caroline Vanderlip, Chief Executive Officer, SharedBook Inc. “We look forward to seeing what others can create using SharedBook’s open API and those of other companies that are currently available.”

traineo has launched a contest along with the Nintendo Wii to award a Wii package to the person who uploads the best motivational video to YouTube. I am betting many of the videos will actually use the Wii as part of the motivation.

Besides the promotion,  you can also join the Wii traineo group and become part of the community. I think this is the next evolution of Weight Watchers. Community support and tools to support your weight loss.

traineo CEO Alasdair McLean-Foreman told me this afternoon, "I think like a lot of people we were pretty surprised as to how much interest the Wii has had a 'fitness tool'. In the same way Nintendo is revolutionizing the gaming industry we're working to do the same in health and fitness on the web with traineo – the idea to setup a competition for our users made sense and we're excited to see the response."

Also check out the story of one Wii'r, Mickey, who created a video about how he used the Wii to lose weight. He has been all over the press, both on and offline, and now has a book deal! About half way down the page he discusses his usage of traineo.

Check out our other coverage of traineo and YouTube.

Today, Microsoft has launched “ideawins.com” – a contest to find the next big small business idea. They are offering the winner $100k, a NYC storefront (another $100k) and a lot more. Looks really great. And the flash design is quite spectacular as well!

GET YOUR IDEAS IN PEOPLE…. for most of us, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you need help filling out the application, I am happy to help you. Just get those ideas in people. I know I am.

From their release:

The contest, which is live at http://www.ideawins.com/, has been designed to spur the imagination and spirit of entrepreneurism that drives small businesses. The winner — the business with the most innovative business idea — will receive $100,000 in business startup money, a Manhattan-area storefront for one year rent-free, and infrastructure and software to help run the business.

“We know there are lots of great ideas out there from people just waiting to start their own business, and we want to make their dream come true,” said Rajat Taneja, general manager of Small Business Applications and Services at Microsoft. “The Ultimate Challenge is all about getting entrepreneurs to take steps toward living their dream and pursuing the spirit of Americana. The idea behind this contest is to galvanize entrepreneurs into action and make sure they have the right tools, such as Office Accounting Express, to translate their vision into reality.”

Starting today Microsoft will review applications received through the http://www.ideawins.com/ Web site or submitted in person at upcoming Ultimate Challenge events. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 31, 2007. Submissions will be judged and scored on the following criteria: marketing approach, financial and logistic feasibility, originality, and public interest.

As part of the nationwide search, Microsoft will deploy the Ultimate Challenge Van, an RV tour that will begin its journey in Times Square on Nov. 28 and make stops in Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago and Atlanta through January. The Ultimate Challenge Van will be a destination where contestants can go to submit their applications and meet Microsoft representatives and successful local business leaders to help finalize their http://www.ideawins.com/ contest submission.