Global Security Challenge opens competition to help fight terrorism and improve homeland security

Business Wire, April 16, 2008

Largest international security innovation forum offers $500K prize money for start-ups

LONDON -- Global Security Challenge (GSC), the largest international security innovation competition, is open for entries, offering security start-ups worldwide the opportunity to showcase their inventions and compete for over $500,000 in cash-grants.

The GSC, started at London Business School in 2006, aims to identify, explore and foster innovation in the field of homeland security. The goal is to support the development of these innovative technologies and ensure their success.

There are a number of different prizes and each submission will receive feedback on their submission.

Commenting on the competition, Janeen Chupa, GSC Co-President said: "The Global Security Challenge is proving to be a very successful competition, with the number of entries increasing with each year and the entrants gaining access to a deep network of government, VCs and corporates."

"Technological innovation is the key to staying ahead of the threat to international security posed by terrorism. However, innovation doesn't always come from large established players, which is why a forum like the Global Security Challenge is so important."

The winners of the first two GSC competitions, Ingenia Technology and NoblePeak Vision talk effusively about their experience with the GSC. Both report substantial new investments, growth and further development of their security technologies since winning. As Cliff King, founder of NoblePeak Vision says: "Customer interest in our night vision technology soared from the publicity we received after winning the 2007 GSC. As a direct result we are now developing new camera systems with major OEM's and systems integrators."

Innovators can enter this year's competition by submitting ideas before June 15th 2008. The 2008 challenge has regional Semi-Finals in Europe, Asia and America and will culminate with the Grand Final conference in London on November 13.

Key dates

Startups & Ideas Submission Deadline: June 15th 2008

Final: London November 13, 2008

For more information on the GSC, including how to enter: www.globalsecuritychallenge.com.

About Global Security Challenge

The Global Security Challenge (GSC) is an annual competition to find the most promising security start-up in the world. The founders gained experience in the security technology sector with IBM and US National Security Council, White House.

The mission of the GSC is to stimulate technological innovations that make airports, cities and enterprises safer without encroaching on civil liberties. The GSC was founded by London Business School students and is supported by Accenture, BAE Systems, CapVista, Microsoft, ONR Global, PegasusBridge Fund Management, SAIC, Smiths Detection, TSWG, and the US Department of Homeland Security.

The partner universities of the GSC are the University of Maryland, National University of Singapore, and London Business School. For more information visit: www.globalsecuritychallenge.com.