Tech innovators vs red tape wanted

American banking giant Citi is spearheading a new challenge for technology innovators around the world to create cutting-edge solutions for the public good.

The Citi Tech for Integrity Challenge (T4I), a landmark initiative led by Citi in collaboration with public and private sector allies, will provide public sector entities access to tech innovators and their ideas on how to increase transparency and efficiency.

T4I is also envisioned to provide the support and infrastructure that tech innovators need.

“By supporting open innovation and providing innovators with the tools they need to develop ideas, we hope to help solve some of the biggest challenges that the public sector faces,” said Julie Monaco, global head of the public sector group in Citi’s corporate and investment banking division.

This new challenge is structured as a global open innovation competition, where companies of any type or size can submit technology solutions. The challenge seeks to source innovation in a number of areas, including government transactions and procurement; culture, ethics and citizen engagement; cutting red tape; and information security and identity.

Selected participants will enroll in a virtual accelerator program, which will provide mentoring, curriculum and infrastructure support to help them enhance their submissions. Finalists will showcase their solutions at one of six demo days in cities around the world, including Buenos Aires, Dublin, Hyderabad, Mexico City and Singapore in May and June. —DORIS DUMLAO-ABADILLA