This post was compiled by Shawna Darling, CSR Applications Development Manager from Cisco. Shawna leads plan development for Cisco business social obligation initiatives including Global Problem Solvers: The Series and the yearly Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge.

As part of your, we, Cisco, have confidence in the charged energy of technology to resolve global problems. In recent history, do not have we been even more looking for innovative technology options that positively impact almost aspect of society. From public health insurance and food techniques to the global globe of function and unemployment, the COVID-19 pandemic offers changed the global landscape. Over 1.3 million folks have lost their resides. Borders have been shut and economies possess plummeted, putting as much as 150 million people vulnerable to falling into severe poverty and nearly 1 / 2 of the world’s 3.3 billion global workforce vulnerable to losing their livelihoods.

To greatly help accelerate tech once and for all solutions that deal with the challenges developed by the pandemic, the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge 2021 offers added a particular Pandemic Response Prize. The Pandemic Response Prize will be awarded to a startup giving an answer to COVID-19 or future pandemic crises. The winning group shall have a forward thinking technology remedy that accelerates the reaction to, or recuperation from, COVID-19 and its own physical, social, or financial impact. The champion of the Pandemic Reaction Prize will undoubtedly be awarded $50,000 USD to accelerate the growth of their solution.

Given the far-achieving impacts of the pandemic, we highly encourage startups to publish an array of early-stage technology options, along with solutions responding to health threats directly. For instance, solutions that address sociable isolation, help people begin smaller businesses, expedite job development, or enhance food safety. Participation is available to individuals, teams, or company entities globally.

I had the chance to meet up with the founders of 2 past Cisco Global Issue Solver Challenge winner businesses, OmniVis and Caeli, that are each developing revolutionary solutions to help fight COVID, to understand about their solutions and how winning the task has helped progress their missions.

“Our voice could reach an extremely wide audience. Not merely do you obtain showcased at market conferences, but Cisco posts about you on the social media marketing channels also. And it’s not really a one-period thing. – It’s amazing to learn somebody is with you,” states Katherine Clayton, PhD, cEO and co-founder of OmniVis. “Our brand-new COVID-19 solution makes tests for the herpes virus easier and much more accessible than previously. All the tests is performed on our transportable, handheld device, that is a miniature laboratory which allows doctors to detect dangerous pathogens in virtually any setting rapidly. We anticipate obtaining FDA acceptance in early 2021.”

“The funds from our recent win of Cisco Global Issue Solver Problem India Impact People’s Selection Award provided the press required for the start of our first item into the marketplace. The prize cash was invested straight into the developing of the merchandise and we have been very excited that people will share our advancement with the people in this worldwide pandemic when masks have grown to be requirement,” says Aakash Bhadana, technology and co-founder guide at Caeli. “Once the pandemic broke out, we started focusing on a mask that delivers efficient protection against bacterias and germs, and contains some sanitization attributes also. Prevention is preferable to treatment, and because masks will be the protection equipment advised by health professionals – a mask has been offered by us that’s re-usable, comfortable, while maintaining affordability in balance.”

The Cisco Global Issue Solver Problem judges and I could wait to see this year’s submissions hardly. Every year, we have been therefore inspired by the grade of the options submitted and by the energy of technology to resolve the world’s toughest problems.

Interested? Connect with win!

If you have a forward thinking solution that you imagine could win the Cisco Global Issue Solver Challenge 2021 Pandemic Response Prize, please go to our website to join up and find out about the application procedure. january 29 The program deadline will be, 2021 at 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Period.