AWS Launches 'City on a Cloud' Challenge

• By David Ramel
• 06/30/2015

Amazon Web Services Inc. (AWS) last week announced its second City on a Cloud Challenge, offering $250,000 in cloud credits for innovative civic computing projects.

First launched last year, the contest "is designed to recognize local and regional governments (along with developers) that are pushing forward with the cloud in innovative ways," the company said in a blog post last week.

Last year, The New York City Department of Transportation, City of Asheville, N.C., and London City Airport were among the grand prize winners. Entrants compete for Best Practices and for Partners in Innovation awards.

"Through our City on a Cloud Innovation Challenge, we recognize local and regional governments are hubs of innovation, driving technology solutions to help improve citizens' lives," AWS says on its challenge site.

Typical components of successful entries leverage technologies such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Content Management Systems (CMS), Open Data portals and so on.

Last year's winners focused on sustainable streets, disaster recovery, crime/risk mapping and more.

Entries must be received by Aug. 21. Winners will be announced at the October AWS re:Invent conference in Las Vegas, after finalists are chosen in September. Rules are here.