March 31, 2016

App developers in Israel are being given a rare chance to meet some of the top movers and shakers in Asia’s smartphone industry as part of the Asia Smartphone Apps Contest to be held in Hong Kong on June 14-17th.

This is the fourth year in a row that the competition, which aims to draw some of Israel’s top talent to Hong Kong, will take place, and it’s open to all app developers from Israel who have developed technologies in advertising and marketing, games and edutainment, and creative lifestyle.

“Hong Kong is one of the world leaders in smartphone penetration and this competition provides an outstanding opportunity for Israeli app developers to meet and network with some of the most influential players in the Asian field,” Elad Goz, Israel’s Head of the Economic & Trade Mission in Hong Kong, told ISRAEL21c.

The three-day competition is organized by the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA) and co-organizers from seven other nations – Israel, Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.

The Economic and Trade Mission at the Consulate General of Israel in Hong Kong, which is helping to organize the event, hopes that the contest will provide a platform for top smartphone app professionals in the region to meet, share, collaborate and learn from each other.

“The share of online shopping and activities in Hong Kong and China is sky-rocketing and it’s vital that Israelis learn how to tap into these markets,” said Goz.

Applications are due in onApril 8, and nine finalists will win a three night trip to the awards ceremony in Hong Kong, training seminars and workshops, and a chance to meet with app developers in the region and explore business opportunities there.

Nicky Blackburn, Editor and Israel Director of ISRAEL21c will be the Israel judge at the event, which brings together industry experts from across Asia.

Last year, three Israeli companies won awards at the contest: Winkapp, which has created an app that can read hyperlinks on paper, won silver prize; LabStyle Innovations won bronze with its app, MyDario , which turns your smartphone into a glucose monitor for diabetes; and Augmented Games also won bronze for its game, Shift, which links a players’ virtual life with their real one.

Mobile app companies interested in taking part in the competition can apply on the contest web page.

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