Put your creative & scientific knowledge to the test. Point.IoT wants to see your innovative solution for next-generation asset tracking systems using Galileo & IoT (internet of things). You’ll gain insight from corporate end-users and more.
Point.IoT is an exciting new programme designed to empower innovation using Galileo and IoT technologies. Ten teams will have the chance to tackle relevant industry challenges while showcasing the use of European positioning technologies in IoT, competing for a €20k prize.
It provides support for entrepreneurs and developers to design and build a new business proposition for GNSS enabled IoT devices with publicly available resources and tools through Point.MOOC & IoT Entrepreneur Playbook (still to be released).
What does the programme look like?
It starts with 10 promising teams and an unforgettable two-day bootcamp in Paris, France where they will learn essential tools for their work ahead. They will return home to take part in a three-month sprint with virtual one-on-one mentoring from industry experts to ensure their solutions are both technically robust and strategically positioned for market success. The programme ends with a celebratory Demo Day where you’ll present your solution to peers and judges to compete for the €20,000 prize. You’ll also stand a chance to take part in a fascinating investor roadshow. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to network, engage & innovate.
How do you define IoT?
Internet of Things (IOT) is a system of interconnected devices that collect data from the surrounding environment to enable increased reactivity and responsiveness. These data help us make better and more informed decisions. (Check out our infographic on “What is IOT?”)
IoT is all around us, infused into our everyday lives through constant connectivity. Our physical and virtual worlds are coming ever closer with the multitude of devices we use to improve our health, increase productivity, and make our lives easier. The uptake of IoT is growing rapidly with far reaching applications across industry. 30 billion IoT devices were active in 2020 and double the number of connected IoT devices are expected in the next 5 years. Industrial IoT devices are expected to be a 580 billion EUR market by the end of 2025.
So many of our personal and business activities take place on the move and require our devices to pinpoint and track location. That’s where satellite navigation comes in. GNSS allows to provide precise and ubiquitous positioning and timing information that other IoT positioning technologies lack.
Where can Galileo support IoT?
Galileo is Europe’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). It provides positioning, navigation and timing information to users under a civilian controlled programme. It provides accuracy, availability and reliability through a multi-constellation of 28 satellites. Its performance will gradually improve as additional satellites are added to the constellation. Galileo will play a key role in IoT, providing advanced positioning, velocity and timing information to devices, especially supporting urban environments. This growing market is rich with opportunities for entrepreneurs to innovate and solve real challenges faced by business and society today.
Who can apply?/Which audiences are you targeting?
Wondering if you’re a good fit? The programme values participants with diverse profiles and encourage you to apply if you fall into one of the following categories:
- Start-ups
- Researchers or students
- Entrepreneurs
- Hardware/software developers (e.g. IoT developers, hardware engineers, sensor hardware engineers, data scientists/data analysts, software engineers, embedded software engineers, telematics engineers, satellite engineers, GNSS specialists, GNSS data technicians, GIS data technicians)
Is there any limitation on who can apply?
Applicants must be in a team of minimum 2 people with complimentary skill sets. (think: superstar developer and business extraordinaire!)
What if you don’t have particular knowledge about space?
That’s not a problem. Selected teams will have access to leading industry experts for continuous guidance and support during their technical and business sprints. Important is that they understand how they can use Galileo positioning technologies in their IoT solution and can communicate it in a clear and compelling way in their applications.
What is the eligibility?
Teams must comprise of at least two people who must have complementary skillsets (think: engineer and business developer, or GNSS specialist and marketer). Please note that there are geographical restrictions on where applicants may reside or have their businesses registered. Be sure to read the complete eligibility requirements, including geographical restriction details, here https://point-iot.eu/terms-conditions.pdf
What are the Point.IOT challenges?
Point.IoT presents real challenges that require your innovative solutions. The programme will support you.
Challenge #1: Prioritising Personal Safety in the Workplace
Point.IoT is seeking unique and innovative solutions that harness the full power of IoT and Galileo technologies to equip operations and site managers with the insights they need to make crucial decisions on maintenance, business operations and safety while preventing unnecessary loss and damage. Your solution must address the challenges associated with indoor-outdoor asset movement and offer data and insights in an effective, efficient, affordable and accessible way.
Challenge #2: Asset Tracking for Large-Scale Infrastructure
Point.IoT is seeking advanced solutions that utilise both IoT and Galileo technologies to continuously monitor and safeguard workplace personnel. Your innovation should feature both wearable IoT hardware and a user-friendly tool that effectively enables managers to interpret their data. It must also speak to the challenges associated with indoor-outdoor device movement while considering the use of other location-based services such as geofencing.
Read more about the Point.IOT challenges here.
What support is available to the 10 selected teams?
Selected teams have access to a wide variety of support:
- Bootcamp: teams will travel to Paris, France to take part in an action-packed, two-day bootcamp held at Orange Business Services. By the end of these combined training sessions, teams will feel prepared and energised for their three-month virtual sprint. Teams will also have the opportunity to meet with industry experts who will become their lead, business and technical mentors to guide them on their solution development journey.
- Mentoring: teams will have access to leading industry experts for continuous guidance and support during their technical and business sprints. These two tracks occur simultaneously, ensuring teams can convene in a virtual one-on-one meeting with their mentors and receive advice specific to their innovative IoT solution
- IoT will also provide entrepreneurs and developers with a set of publicly available tools to design and build a new business proposition for GNSS enabled IoT devices:
- Point.IOT’s custom-built MOOC will provide foundation training sessions to support IoT solutions utilising Galileo. European industry experts will share their knowledge and skills with Point.IoT participants and the wider public. Launching in July 2020, the Point.MOOC will comprise of eight business sessions and six technical sessions, empowering IoT entrepreneurs with the tools they need to bring their innovative ideas to life.
- Point.IOT’s free playbook empowers promising IoT and GNSS entrepreneurs to unlock business opportunities in the expanding IoT market. The Point.Entrepreneur Playbook will be available in June 2020 and feature a series of self-directed sprints, customer challenges, product/service and business design guidelines, and instructions on how to pitch like a pro.
What are the key award criteria?
Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Market potential: Does the solution have strong market potential?
- Level of innovation: Does the solution demonstrate a high level of innovation?
- Technical feasibility: Is the technology implemented in the solution ready for development?
- Business model: Does the solution have a clear commercialisation strategy?
- Sustainability of the project: Is the solution supported by a strong and proven set of skills amongst the team?
- Quality of the proposal: Does the application demonstrate a high level of preparation and consideration for the programme?
What advice would you give to someone who’s unsure whether or not to apply to the competition?
The time is now! We encourage everyone to apply with their idea, even if they don’t think their solution is mature enough, or they think it’s not the right time. The process of applying and completing a pitch deck is the first step in realising your idea. It’s a great opportunity to start critically thinking about how your ideas will work in reality, deep diving into the details, and then communicating them in a way that everyone can understand.
What prizes are available to the winning teams?
Point.IoT culminates in a demo day, where teams celebrate the end of the programme and showcase their success. All teams will pitch their solutions to the jury, including our challenge partners. The jury will evaluate each team’s solution and decide on the overall winner and €20,000 cash prize recipient.
During this demo day and the evaluations, up to five teams will also be selected for a leading investor roadshow that will give the most promising high-tech solutions a chance to access funding. These teams will take part in an additional two-day event that includes investor readiness master classes, round table discussions, workshops, investor pitches, and concludes with an exciting pitch battle.
What are the immediate next steps?
Applying to the Point.IoT programme is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Don’t miss out on your chance to shape the future of IoT with Galileo technology. The deadline for applications for this year’s Point.IoT programme closes on 28 June. If you are an ambitious entrepreneur, tell get in touch with Point.IOT about your big idea. Review the eligibility requirements and apply with at least one other team member. Who knows? You could be selected to create an industry-changing solution and compete for the €20,000 prize. www.point-iot.eu
