Queenslanders now have even more incentive to enter the Premier’s Open Data Awards following Microsoft’s announcement of a significant prize package on offer at today’s Open Data Mixer event.

Premier Campbell Newman said the government was keen to build relationships with private industry, and was excited Microsoft was involved in the awards.

“This impressive prize package will bring the competition to a whole new level,” Mr Newman said.

“There has never been a better time to enter the Awards and I encourage teams with a knack for IT to get involved.”

The Microsoft Start-Up Accelerator Award will be awarded to the team who develops the most innovative concept with the best start-up potential.

Charles Shavitz from Microsoft announced today that the prize will include:

·         five Nokia Lumia 920’s

·         five Asus VivTab tablets

·         one four-month course at Founder Institute for the nominated team founder to attend from February 2014

·         a maximum of $60,000 worth of Windows Azure for a maximum period of two years.

To be eligible participants will need to have entered a concept submission into the Premier’s Awards for Open Data by the deadline on 22 September, and have been selected to participate in the final round of the Awards competition.

Entrants will also need to nominate their team to Microsoft by emailing qmic@microsoft.com by 5.00pm 31 October 2013, the Award nomination deadline.

For more information visit www.qld.gov.au/data