Cisco Global Partner Engineering Launches 5th Annual Partner Innovation Challenge

Since Cisco’s beginnings more than 30 years ago, innovation has been the fuel to propel the company forward. From our first router to today’s services, solutions, and API-driven customization, Cisco continues to help businesses transform to stay ahead of the changing landscape. Enabling our partners to tap into their potential is a crucial part of that work, which is why our Global Partner Innovation Challenge helps partners enhance their customer offerings and their creative and technical talent–through our innovation, choice, and extraordinary people.

The 2022 Partner Innovation Challenge is LIVE!

The 2022 challenge is now underway and marks the program’s fifth year! It is an especially exciting milestone because the competition has grown exponentially alongside the creativity that our partners have displayed when building customer solutions. Each year, Cisco’s Partner Innovation Challenge connects us with a shared mission to solve challenges, build software innovation skills and optimize business solutions and profitability on the Cisco Platform. In the past four years, we have seen partners of all sizes and from around the world innovate thoughtful solutions – from networking game-changers to inclusive culture solutions. And we’ve awarded more than $1.5 million to winners!

When looking back at all the change we’ve traversed together in recent years, I am inspired to see how partners continue to advance game-changing ideas with Cisco Platform APIs.

Click here to see our 2021 winners.

The Innovation Challenge Vision for Partners

Our vision for the Innovation Challenge goes beyond game-changing ideas, though; ultimately our mission is to help our partners drive the most trusted customer experience in the industry not only through our innovation, but through choice and the extraordinary people who create these solutions each and every day. Those who participate in the Partner Innovation Challenge have the opportunity to showcase their solution to Cisco’s Partner and Customer communities; make deep connections with the Cisco Developer Community; and drive awareness of your team’s abilities, helping to not only attract customers but new talent as well.

Partner Innovation Challenge Prizes

While bragging rights always serve as great motivation, a little prize money doesn’t hurt either. The Partner Innovation Challenge first place winner will receive a US$200,000 cash prize. The partner named in second place receives $100,000, and third place receives $50,000. We also have a $50,000 special prize for each regional winner from ANZ, ASEAN, Greater China, India, and Korea. In addition, all winning team members receive 25,000 Shogun points each. Visit https://ciscoshogun.com  for more details!

Introducing Bold Bets in 2022

This year, our work to help partners share their innovative ideas is about to get even better as we expand the challenge to include Partner Bold Bets. Bold Bets are ideas that go beyond Cisco Platform APIs, such as new business ideas that have the potential to transform an industry or make a significant impact on our shared business. A partner that submits a winning Bold Bet idea takes home a $200,000 prize.

Ideas can be submitted from now until September 7, 2022. Winners will be announced at Partner Summit 2022 in November.

We’d love to hear what you think. Ask a Question, Comment Below, and Stay Connected with #CiscoPartners on social!

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