Local app developers encouraged to enter international app competition

Launched last month, the Evernote Platform Awards encourage developer and design teams from across the world to produce applications that connect with Evernote. The best applications will be featured in the Evernote App Center, where they will be open to public voting beginning July 31, after entries have closed.

Engaging African developers

This year, because of the new wave of tech talent from across the continent, the company has created a specific category to recognise the best African-founded application that integrates with Evernote. The programme is a workspace that helps users write, collect, find and present everything that is important to them in their everyday lives. Founded in 2008, the company has 10 offices around the world and 370 employees.

Members of the team behind the winning African app will be given the opportunity to visit the company's HQ and present their application live on stage during its conference, EC4, in San Francisco later this year.

Evernote's GM in EMEA, Cristina Riese, says, "We are excited about engaging with African developers and startup communities with the support of ATF. We look forward to seeing all of the great ideas and innovative integrations that support our goal of making the world smarter."

Stephen Ozoigbo, CEO ATF, adds, "In alignment with our vision of globalising African technologies, we are thrilled to join forces with a global brand like this. Africa presents an exponentially growing number of uniquely talented developers and the integration of their products with the Evernote API provides an invaluable springboard towards the internationalisation of their apps."

Africa is home to over 1 million of the company's 100 million total user base. Close to 75% of its users are based outside of the US and Canada, one third of which are based in Europe, the Middle East or Africa.

The Awards will showcase the best in several categories based on popular use cases, such as business, education, lifestyle, and productivity. Other categories will recognise the teams behind the apps, such as Best Integration, Best Design or Best New Startup.

Key dates

July 31: Platform Award nominations close, Evernote judges select final nominees
August 4: Top African finalists are revealed and community votes for their favourites
September 4: African Platform Award winner announced by Evernote
October: Two members of the winning African team will be flown, all expenses paid, to San Francisco to present their app live on stage during the Evernote Conference in San Francisco.

For more information, go to www.evernote.com.