Vodafone Americas Foundation Announces Winners of Seventh Annual Wireless Innovation Project(TM)

REDWOOD CITY, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/11/15 -- The Vodafone Americas Foundation" today announced winners of its seventh annual Wireless Innovation Project" (WIP). Since 2009, WIP has supported a spectrum of high potential mobile and wireless technology solutions, awarding nearly $3 million to not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations and universities. Previous winners have gone on to receive additional funding, define their intellectual property strategy, file for patents and launch their innovations to market. Winners were named during a ceremony at the Social Innovation Summit 2015 held on June 10-11 at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.

Vodafone Americas Foundation Board of Directors Chairman and President Chuck Pol said: "The Wireless Innovation Project provides a platform for disruptive ideas in mobile and wireless to gain market traction. The 2015 winners represent the brightest of a new generation of problem solvers for critical global community needs, and we're proud to recognize their cutting-edge visions."

The 2015 winners are:

1st Place (US$300,000) -- Caltech Sanitation Project Some 2.5 billion people -- more than one third of the global population lack access to adequate sanitation facilities. So far, long-term implementation of new sanitation technology has been challenged with identifying a cost-efficient and effective way to monitor and maintain the systems. Caltech's mobile-based, self-diagnosing technology for wastewater treatment systems empower local community members to operate and maintain these sanitation solutions in areas that lack sufficient infrastructure.

2nd Place (US$200,000) -- WellDone Mobile Monitor (MoMo) As part of United Nations Resolution 64/292, the right to water (along with sanitation) are acknowledged as "essential to the realisation of all human right." Although more than 2.3 billion people have gained access to clean water since 1990, up to 40 percent of rural water infrastructure has since fallen into disrepair. WellDone International has developed a remote monitoring technology that aims to improve the reliability of rural infrastructure by providing real-time usage and functionality information.

3rd Place (US$100,000) -- Mobile Stethoscope Diagnostics One of the basic approaches in medicine to diagnose disease is to listen to the sounds of the body. A team from the MIT D-Lab has developed a mobile stethoscope and decision-support mobile application to provide critical diagnostic assistance to untrained health workers in developing countries.

Vodafone Americas Foundation Director June Sugiyama said: "In our seventh year, the winners point to critical, ongoing challenges in delivering the most basic human needs -- access to sanitation, clean water and health. Mobile and wireless platforms are not just tools for the productivity and entertainment in the developed world. The Wireless Innovation Project's winning technologies see the potential of wireless technology and focus it on improving quality of life for people around the globe."

In addition to grant funds, WIP recipients receive support and guidance over a three-year period to advance products on their journey to reach the global marketplace. Vodafone brings technical expertise, partnerships and global reach that accelerate mobile innovations to deliver wider social impact than they could achieve alone.

For more details on the Wireless Innovation Project, visit vodafone-us.com. To follow Vodafone Americas Foundation on Twitter, visit @VodafoneProject. To visit Vodafone Americas Foundation on Facebook, click here.

About the Vodafone Americas Foundation The Vodafone Americas Foundation is part of Vodafone's global network of 26 foundations. It is affiliated with Vodafone Group. In addition the Wireless Innovation Project, the Vodafone Americas Foundation provides grants in the United States within the three-pillared approach to Improve People's Lives, Support the Development Sector and Spark Innovation.

About Vodafone Vodafone is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies and provides a range of services including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications. Vodafone has mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 55 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. As of 31 March 2015, Vodafone had 446 million mobile customers and 12 million fixed broadband customers. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com.

For further information, or to speak to a winner, please contact:
June Sugiyama
Director, Vodafone Americas Foundation
Email Contact
650-832-6611

Caitlin Haskins
10Fold Communications
Email Contact
415-800-5369

Source: Vodafone Americas Foundation

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