Internet and software giant Microsoft has announced the first round of winners of its Ingenuity Point competition.The international contest invites independent software vendors (ISVs) to share their innovation solutions within the fields of healthcare, education and clean technology.
It is described by Microsoft as an opportunity for firms to demonstrate their expertise in the field of software development, build solutions using Microsoft technologies and show their ability to solve global issues.
The winning companies are UK-based TR Control Solutions, Tobii Technology from Sweden and US firm OSIsoft.
Commenting on the competition, Rob Bernard, Microsoft's chief environmental strategist and former general manager of the company's worldwide ISV group, stated: "Microsoft is inspired by the passion and innovation we've seen from ISVs around the world.
"ISVs want to be successful and be good global citizens at the same time. We're excited to hold a competition that focuses on how companies are using Microsoft technologies to make an impact in the world."
Ingenuity Point is part of Microsoft's efforts to highlight some of the "incredible work" of ISVs and to aid such companies in using their expertise to create a bigger impact, he added.
The three successful firms will be joined by a second round of three grand prize winners and Microsoft will provide each business with a variety of resources and marketing tools to help them increase awareness of their respective solutions.
