Apps for Good Awards 2015 finalists unveiled

Not-for-profit education programme Apps for Good has announced the 18 finalists of its annual awards, who will compete at a Dragon's Den-style final.  

The Apps for Good Awards aim to encourage young people to create apps to change their world for good, in a bid to develop a generation of problem solvers and digital makers.

As a supporter of the Apps for Good Awards, Computer Weekly took part in the judging process, hosted by management consultant Capgemini.

The 18 finalist teams are made up of students aged between 12 and 19 across six categories. Each team will pitch to a judging panel of industry experts for the chance to work with a digital agency to see their apps launched to market.

In the lead-up to the final, the teams will spend some time at a selection of Tech City companies which have offered support to prepare the teams to face the judges.

The winning team from each category will spend six months having their app professionally developed, before being launched to the public in February 2016.

“We’d like to offer our congratulations to all of this year’s finalists. At Apps for Good we want to change technology education forever and turn young tech consumers into tech creators, and prepare them to tackle the 21^st century workplace,” said Debbie Forster, co-CEO of Apps for Good.

“Our course teaches digital skills and arms students with essential real-world skills, such as teamwork, problem solving, confidence and resilience. The innovation displayed in this year’s entries demonstrates not just the potential for young people to succeed, but their passion to use technology to change their world for good.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating their achievements at the Apps for Good Awards, and wish all of the finalists the best of luck,” she added.

Winners will be announced at the Apps for Good Awards ceremony on 18 June at the Barbican, London. Computer Weekly will publish a list of the winners.  

The teams are also up for the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by digital media buyer Essence, which will be selected by an online vote.

The Apps for Good 2015 finalists are:

Information, sponsored by Thomson Reuters

• Finding Spoons
• EiD
• One Click Politics

Sustainable Communities, sponsored by Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

• GardenKing
• Who Cares?
• ProblemPals

Connected Communities, sponsored by TalkTalk

• Quick Team
• Pen Friend
• Sound Clash

Productivity, sponsored by SAP

• Stem City
• Sports Watch
• Bookd

Learning, sponsored by Samsung

• My World of Atoms
• Debate It
• Arty-Fact

Saving, Spending and Giving, sponsored by Barclaycard

• Jobs 4 You
• Pass It On
• Penny-A-Mile