Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Sir Richard Branson among judges in new Google Global Impact Challenge
Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the internet, and Sir Richard Branson will be among the judges of a competition launched by Google to find British not-for-profit organisations that can "transform lives" using technology.
Judge: Sir Tim Berners-Lee has been named one of the judges
The public will be able to vote in May for the fourth place position after 10 finalists are announced for the Global Impact Challenge, while the judges will name the top three. The winning four organisations will be awarded £500,000, alongside guidance from Google employees and a number of Chromebooks.
Sir Tim Berners-Lee commented: "The web's contribution to economic progress has been much celebrated, but I believe we are only scratching the surface of its potential to solve social and political problems. I'm delighted to join Google in this exciting initiative."
The competition is being piloted in the UK and may be rolled out globally. Other judges include Google's European boss, Matt Brittin, and the company's director of giving, Jacqueline Fuller, and Google said the initiative would "help support the next wave of ideas".
"Technology can help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges and we’re eager to back innovators who are finding new ways to make an impact," said Fuller. "Today we’re starting the hunt in the UK, but we also know that nonprofits all over the world are using techy approaches to develop new solutions in their sector."