The Suncruise Andalucía association officially launches the third edition of the Suncruise Open Innovation Challenge Prize, aimed at startups, technology companies and consolidated research groups, with the purpose of seeking innovative technological solutions with which to address innovative challenges to digitally transform the nautical and cruise industry in Andalusia.
In particular, this initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism of the Andalusian Regional Government and the Public Company for the Management of Tourism and Sport of Andalusia, with espacio_RES as a key facilitator, whose joint effort aims to create an inclusive ecosystem of open innovation where companies, universities and institutions collaborate to drive growth and sustainable development in the industry.
This new edition focuses on two specific challenges posed by the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) and the Port Authority of Huelva (APH). Firstly, the APBA challenge, entitled “Improving the Experience of Passengers with Disabilities (PCD) and Reduced Mobility (PMR) in the Ports of Algeciras and Tarifa”, consists of developing a technological tool to improve the accessibility and experience of PCD and PMR passengers. Specifically, it seeks to provide these passengers with useful information throughout the travel process, visibility of accessible itineraries, facilitate the request for PRM assistance or a visualization of all the data contained in the Passenger Information System (SIP) of the APBA.
The APH challenge, entitled “A Port for All: Developing Interactive Experiences for All Ages in the Port of Huelva”, focuses on creating interactive experiences that attract tourists of all ages, with a special focus on activities for children. This challenge is motivated by the need to overcome the barrier of the lack of activities for children that limits the interaction with the urban environment, in a port like the Port of Huelva characterized by its industrial and energetic environment.
The scope of the proposals must be projects with a high innovation component, with scalable business models, formed by teams with knowledge in the sector and technology, and have at least a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), provided with mockup, sketch, landing page and first version of a platform. Therefore, the selection criteria will value the following points:
- Innovation and Scalability: Projects with capacity for growth and adaptability.
- Commitment and Knowledge: Committed teams with relevant experience.
- Minimum Viable Product: Presentation of prototypes or initial versions.
- Exposure Skills: Ability to communicate the idea effectively.
- Previous Experience: Track record related to the project.
Registration will be open until October 25, 2024, through a form on the Suncruise Andalucía website (https://suncruiseopeninnovation.com), where it is recommended to accompany the registration with additional documentation that adds value (deck, presentation, memory, business plan). The Suncruise Andalucía team, together with espacio_RES and collaborating entities, will evaluate the applications and contact for further information if necessary. The best evaluated proposals will be invited to interviews (face-to-face or virtual) to deepen the project. After the evaluation, the finalists and winners of each challenge will be announced, and the results will be presented at an innovation forum, which will take place in Huelva on November 27th.
The selected solutions will receive a prize valued at €1,500, in addition to the opportunity to run proofs of concept and pilots with the collaborating entities, transforming their innovations into real and applicable solutions through co-creation.
It should be noted that Suncruise Andalucía, chaired by Gerardo Landaluce Calleja, president of the APBA, is an association formed by all the Ports of General Interest of the National State in Andalusia -Algeciras, Almeria, Cadiz, Huelva, Malaga, Motril (Granada), Seville, and those of the Public Ports Agency of Andalusia (APPA), as well as the Port of Ceuta and the Port of Melilla, in order to promote Andalusia as a destination for Cruises and Nautical Sports.
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