Last year the GSM Association launched the GSMA Mobile Innovation Marketplace to assist fledgling
companies developing innovative mobile services and products in their quest to "crack the carrier barrier" and bring their value to mobile consumers.
The purpose of this arm of the GSMA is to identify, foster and highlight innovative companies within the mobile communications ecosystem. While in Barcelona I had the chance to learn more about what I'm calling their "Innovation Outpost" (which Andy seemed to like) in an interview with Andrew McGuire, GSMA VP for Mobile Innovation, who runs the program.
Listen to my podcast with Andy McGuire of the GSMA (10 mins)
Looking to raise the profile and bring attention to the initiatives of innovative companies, the GSMA has crafted a GSMA "endorsement" process to take mobile technology, application or service ideas from concept to launch through a unique, high profile audience of Operators, Investors and Media. It's a great
idea providing a tool which enables the mobile operator community to be more of a center of influence within the mobile industry ecosystem. Something that has been lacking in the past, although some operators have corporate venture arms such as Orange FT's Innovacom or Swisscom which serve similar purposes.
Besides the Mobile Innovations Awards at the Mobile World Congress events in Macau and Barcelona, they are developing a "match-making marketplace" for innovators, investors, operators, stategic partners, and corporate interests to stimulate and facilitate research, introductions, discussions and, most importantly business development.
Mobile Innovation Market Place conference
Look out for some of the world's leading mobile innovations to be highlighted at the Mobile Innovation Marketplace conference in Atlanta, June 3 & 4, 2008.
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