IMPORTANT: ALL TEAMS SHOULD FILL OUT THIS FORM

THE CHALLENGE: Building an online tool that promotes participation of MSMEs and other groups with untapped economic potential in global digitally-enabled trade and the international marketplace

Digital tools and technology can mitigate trade barriers. By equipping small businesses with digital tools and knowledge, they can fully engage and benefit from digital trade.

There are more than 150 million MSMEs in APEC economies, representing around two-thirds of the total job market in the region. They typically contribute between 40 to 60 percent of APEC economies’ GDP.  Studies have shown that digital tools can reduce the cost of exporting for small businesses in the Asia-Pacific region by up to 82 percent and reduce the time taken in exporting by up to 29 percent.  

Small businesses in the APEC region show strong interest to export internationally.  Nevertheless, the opportunities remain significantly untapped, both in developing and developed countries.

This year’s APEC App Challenge calls on the region’s software developers to build an online tool, platform, mobile site or app that will help engage MSMEs and other groups with untapped economic potential participate and benefit in global digitally-enabled trade.

Solutions should aim to support micro and small businesses, particularly from the following groups: MSMEs, women, minorities, and other groups with untapped economic potential, such as Indigenous Peoples as appropriate, people with disabilities, and those from remote and rural communities.

Teams will be encouraged to develop their own ideas and creative solutions to the challenge with an emphasis on inclusive solutions.  The teams with the most compelling application will be encouraged to continue the development of their solution through an in-person pitching event in Seattle, Washington, USA in August 2023 (dates to be confirmed), with the winner of the finals to be announced at an APEC Ministerial Meeting in Seattle.

General Terms and Conditions for Software Products

Participants will deliver a functional web or mobile solution to the App Challenge designed for use by the target audience. Mobile, web or any platform app will be accepted. You may use any programming language(s) or framework(s). Use of Git or other version tracking is strongly encouraged.

Please note that fully-functional and near-production-ready apps will be preferred over prototypes or proofs-of-concept.

IMPORTANT: Products which offer limited or no functionality when decoupled from proprietary external APIs and services are strongly discouraged. While third -party integrations are expected, they should serve to amplify or extend an application’s existing, stand-alone features. Judges and evaluators will carefully examine each application and assess the degree to which submissions require third-party integrations in order to offer a basic level of functionality. If it is determined that a submitted application’s only functional features require fees and/or subscription payments to access proprietary external services, then these submissions will not be considered for awards.