It was just two short years ago that Ashoka Changemakers and We Media joined forces to launch a community challenge to source innovative approaches for inspiring a better world through media and technology. People from all around the world entered their ideas - from very early stage projects to more established but never-before-seen innovations - for harnessing the power of media for social good.
The most promising social changemakers were given the opportunity to pitch their ideas before a panel of expert judges. Two do-gooders rose to the occasion, seized the moment, and took home $25,000 to scale their initiatives: The Extraordinairies, a microvolunteering platform using smartphone technology to link people to actions for social good; and SeeClickFix, a free Web tool that enables citizens to report and document non-emergency issues to communicate them to those accountable for the public space.
The 2010 PitchIt Challenge sourced two groundbreaking solutions inciting action, encouraging collaboration, and leading society to knowledge. AssignIt ensured crowdsourced hyper-local investigative journalism through social networking technology. The second winner, Audimated, is an independent music hub which helps artists and fans share, discover, and monetize music.
The success of the We Media’s PitchIt Challenge commands attention, especially in a time where privacy, transparency, and access to information are at a premium. Bold visions for the future of media and technology seem to be on the tips of everyone’s tongues and fingers. New media is without question a powerful tool, but it can be divisive. Today’s social media is breaking down barriers some people – countries even – would prefer remain intact.
Just this month, we have seen Twitter win over the South Korean market, and as you read this, Egypt’s government has launched cyber attacks on social media – making both Facebook and Twitter inaccessible in hopes of crushing anti-government protest. Clearly, social media and the digital revolution can be viewed as invasive, just as easily as they can be embraced for empowering the masses.
Do you have bold visions for using media and technology to improve the human experience in the digital world? Then do not miss out on the 2011 We Media PitchIt Challenge, sponsored by the Ethics & Excellence in Journalism Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
The challenge is now open to entries and offers $50,000 in seed funding to help launch two innovative media and tech startups. Finalists will pitch their ideas live before a panel of expert judges, including Ashoka’s President Diana Wells, and attendees of the We Media NYC conference on April 6. Finalists will have the opportunity to participate in a startup bootcamp and benefit from feedback and advice from a network of expert mentors.
Shape the future of communication, participation and engagement. Submit your idea before the February 4, 2011 entry deadline.
You’re also invited to participate in the We Media NYC conference and watch the finals.
Image courtesy of Gui Trento
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