Promotion at CeBIT 2012 for 50 most creative start-ups, €25,000 award for the winner

London, 26 September, 2011 – The CODE_n initiative was launched today by GFT Technologies AG, a leading supplier of innovative IT solutions. The award is designed to honour the company with the most outstanding and innovative web and IT business idea on the topic of Shaping Mobile Life. Start-ups with creative IT-based solutions have until 30 November 2011 to submit their applications for one of the 50 places on a special CeBIT in 2012 stand. The winner of the CODE_n12 contest receives a €25,000 award and two years of coaching by leading managers of the partner companies. The top ranked UK business will have its travel costs sponsored by GFT UK.

An online application form is available at www.code-n.de/en.

The aim of CODE-n is to seek out and promote the world’s most innovative start-ups involved in the development of new business models for the internet or mobile devices. In addition to showcasing the pioneering spirit of these entrepreneurs, CODE_n also plans to demonstrate how much our private and business lives are already shaped by IT innovations. The Strategic Partners of CODE_n are Deutsche Messe, Ernst & Young (German member firms), Fujitsu Technology Solutions and the German ICT sector association BITKOM.

“British businesses have always been at the forefront of innovation,” says Graham Underwood, Managing Director of GFT in the UK, “We’re looking to celebrate this innovative approach to technology with the CODE_n contest and support young companies in their drive to develop new ideas in the mobile sector. This contest gives them the chance to join the tech sector at CeBIT and for the winner, two further years of involvement from experienced industry leaders, as well as €25,000 to invest in the business”.

“Good ideas can come from anywhere. But they need friends, critical opinions and the necessary support to help them develop into attractive business models,” explains Ulrich Dietz, CEO of GFT Technologies AG and CODE_n initiator. “IT innovations are a global topic. They originate all over the world and can be successful anywhere. With CODE_n, we have now created the necessary platform to develop and promote IT innovation wherever it occurs.”

The final selection of the 50 entrepreneurs chosen to present their solutions at the CeBIT, and the ultimate winner of the CODE_n12 Award, will be decided by a jury of renowned IT specialists, top managers and lateral thinkers. The jurors include Prof. Peter Weibel, head of the ZKM, and XING founder Lars Hinrichs. A British juror is expected to be announced shortly.

With its extensive technological knowledge, Fujitsu Technology Solutions will play a vital role in assessing and shortlisting the submitted solutions. The involvement of Deutsche Messe as one of the CODE_n Strategic Partners underlines CeBIT’s status as a leading global ICT event. As part of the CODE_n initiative, Ernst & Young will be helping promising web and IT start-ups to fine tune their business models.

Start-ups with creative IT-based solutions on the topic of “Shaping Mobile Life” have until November 30, 2011 to submit their applications for one of the 50 places at the CeBIT 2012 and for the CODE_n12 Award worth €25,000. The form and all documents can be submitted online at www.code-n.de/en.