Canadian developers are hard at work creating solutions that solve problems, address needs and push boundaries. To celebrate this nation’s great home-grown innovation, Microsoft Canada is once again calling for entries to the 4th annual Microsoft Blue Sky Awards.
In a nation of gifted developers, Microsoft Canada is looking for individuals who have developed solutions that either break conventional processes or go beyond marginal improvements in existing products. Entrants will be assessed on the innovation behind their idea, the uniqueness of the architecture, the use of Microsoft technologies and the solution’s viability in the marketplace.
Winners and finalists will be recognized at the 2011 Canadian ISV Leadership Summit on May 30, 2011 and the winner will receive a customized engagement plan to help support ongoing software development and increase market visibility – not to mention bragging rights as winner of this national recognition of excellence. It’s time for the Canadian developer community to shine. Submit your solution today!
Competition Details:
- All entries must be submitted electronically via the Blue Sky Awards registration page by
- Entrants must be Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) headquartered in Canada
- Software application must be developed using Microsoft technologies, but is not required to be built exclusively on the Microsoft platform
- Software application can be in market or ready for release to market in 2011
- Written and/or video submissions will be accepted.
- Video submissions can be no longer than 10 minutes and must be uploaded to a video streaming website. A working URL that links to the video must be provided through the submission form
- A panel of judges made up of Microsoft employees, an external industry specialist and a venture capitalist will evaluate the submissions on the basis of their innovative use of Microsoft technologies to solve a problem and marketability of their solutions. The finalists will be selected to send in a more detailed written submission by email in May 2011.
- Entrants must agree to a release form when they submit their application before proceeding to the submission
- For more information, to view submissions and full competition rules, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/canada/bluesky/
Notable Quotes
“Canada has a thriving pool of innovative developers who think creatively and raise the bar with every new solution they build. Microsoft Canada is proud to support our ISVs and is dedicated to recognizing our superior talent. The 2011 Blue Sky competition is a chance for our greatest developers to take center stage and showcase their best ideas to the community and beyond. The 4th annual Blue Sky Awards will be the biggest and best yet. We’re ready Canada, show us what you’ve got!”
Allan Hoffmann, Manager ISV Partner Group, Microsoft Canada
The Blue Sky Awards
Established in 2008, The Blue Sky Awards reward Canadian developers for creative thinking and innovation. The competition offers a platform for showcasing the great talents of Independent Software Vendors from coast-to-coast to an audience of Microsoft experts and other industry voices. The winning entrant will gain national recognition along with software development support, business development resources and increased visibility within Microsoft.
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Inc. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT"), the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Microsoft Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario with MSN.CA offices located in Toronto and eight regional offices across the country. The company supports local communities across Canada by creating innovative technology and partnerships that help people realize their full potential. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca.
