AppCampus boosts mobile innovation

Published by Jeppe Christensen on September 14, 2012

AppCampus booth at Hackathon

What is the next big app out there? The one application that will spur a revolution and perhaps change the way we work and play? We at the AppCampus program are trying to foster the creation of new innovative apps for Windows Phone, and Nokia platforms.

AppCampus is led and managed by Aalto University in Finland, and funded by Nokia and Microsoft. The basic idea is this: share your awesome idea or concept for a truly innovative mobile app and AppCampus might help you realize it with funding, coaching and any other help needed.

AppCampus is currently exhibiting at the Tech Crunch Disrupt 2012 expo in San Francisco and is attracting some of the best and brightest developers in the world.

Many projects already in the pipeline

“We’ve already received approximately 1,000 applications from 64 different countries,” says Pekka Sivonen, Head of AppCampus.

“This is the first time we’re having an official presence at an event, and we can’t wait to work with more developers at different events going forward.”

Pekka tells us that there are already 41 projects in the pipeline that have been approved and financed. In total, these 41 companies have received over $1.2 million in funding, but not to worry – there’s still more than $21 million left for what Pekka calls “truly novel ideas that are not yet available.”

Nokia AppCampus TechCrunch Disrupt SFO award

So how does AppCampus work? You submit your idea via the AppCampus website – a process that shouldn’t take more than an hour. Within two to four weeks you’ll get an initial response: Thumbs up, thumbs down … or maybe.

If selected your project will get a cash injection depending on the complexity and use of backend services such as Nokia Maps, Near Field Communication and imaging. Pekka explains that they’re on the lookout for “first to market ideas that don’t exist in any other marketplace today.”

Show us something disruptive

But it’s not all about cash. AppCampus also helps with coaching from Nokia and Microsoft, and with something as basic as office space, creating a business plan or planning go-to-market promotion. AppCampus consists of a team of eight people with a combined experience of 100+ years in mobile software. These are the kind of guys you want on your side.

“We’re getting a strong interest at TechCrunch Disrupt, not only from developers but also from angel investors that see this as a really strong value proposition,” says Pekka.

Nokia and App Campus also sponsored the prize for ‘The Most Disruptive Mobile Application Concept’ shown at Disrupt 2012. The winner, Livebolt, received $50,000.00 and a place in the AppCampus program.

Livebolt created a cloud based identity management system that consists of a block that slides on the back of the lock. That block links to an app that lets you authorize a piece of metal that actually locks and unlocks the door.

Comments

  • http://www.facebook.com/dannyjsteiger Danny Steiger

    An open letter to Microsoft’s WP8 Marketing team:
    Microsoft Marketing Department and/or Windows Phone 8 team,
    Let me first say that I’m a big fan of everything I’ve seen of WP8 so far, so much so that I’m quite confident I’m going to ditch my beloved iPhone in lieu of the Nokia Lumia 920. I think a lot of people I know would also be quite interested, but showing them exactly what it would be like using a WP8 device (as opposed to their iPhone or Droid) is quite a challenge. There are plenty of video clips out there, and some good teasers, but none of them are quite sufficient. But I think I have an idea that might help, and could be a campaign that could be very fruitful for you.
    Show these people what WP8 looks like on their own devices. No, I’m not saying literally run WP8 on their devices, but release a series of videos on YouTube that are just of the WP8 experience on a device. Basically make the video take up their full smart phone screen and show off what you’ve got! Show what live tiles look like and act like in practice. Show how inter-connected Facebook is with the OS. Show how buttery smooth everything is. Make them imagine that the phone they are holding is a WP8 device.
    Some people are afraid of change; they’re comfortable with an OS and ecosystem that they know. So show them practically speaking how yours is different and better than what they’re using now. And do it right in their own hands! Show several different configurations, one of an avid social media user, one of a gamer, etc, and how the phone works for them, not the same boring grid of apps that everyone else has right now.
    I don’t claim to have the technical know-how, but it can’t be much more challenging to put something together like this than showing on a big screen for the press what you are doing on a phone (i.e. at the Nokia press conference), record this, and BAM! You’ve got yourself a working demo that you can get into the hands of millions of people who already have a smart phone but just don’t know that there’s a better way to do it.
    Hoping you might consider this thought, and hoping for great success in WP8.
    Sincerely,
    Danny Steiger

  • UB400

    I’m no developer, but I would love to see an app, that enables functionality similar to the Garmin Edge 500 or 800 range of cycling computers. With accessories such as sensors and mounts, it would be great to replace all these dedicated cycle computers with one device.

  • Opinador_Objetivo

    Just an idea for the next Lumia (BTW, I am going to buy the Lumia 920, love it!!!)
    What about a smartphone made of glass or some other material that is capable of changing colors? It would be great to have that and also an app that determines the “phone’s color of the day” based on the owner’s biorythm. Ah, and of course, the app will also change WP8 live tiles’ color to match the exterior. Awsome!!!
    I am currently a Galaxy Note I and love large screens, so, if possible, make the next Lumia with a 5″ screen.
    THANKS!!!! Keep up the great designs and features!!