May 1: First day to enter your idea in the 2008 European Satellite Navigation Competition

The European Satellite Navigation Competition (Galileo Masters), now in its fifth year, is seeking the best ideas for satellite navigation applications from companies, entrepreneurs, research institutes, universities, and individuals.

This year's contest will culminate with an awards ceremony in the Munich Residenz, Munich, Germany on Tuesday, October 21, 2008.

The overall winner will be named the GALILEO Master, with a cash prize of €20,000 and comprehensive support in realizing the winning innovation

Last year's top winner, Zaharia Dragos of Nice/ Sophia Antipolis, France, took home a cash prize of €10,000. He submitted an idea to increase security in financial transactions by augmenting encryption procedures using the precise time signal of the Galileo satellite navigation system.

Finalists from the 12 participating regions in Europe, Australia, and Taiwan and the special topic winners also will be announced. In 2008, the special topic challenges are presented by the European GSA, the ESA, Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the DHL Innovation Center, and T-Systems.

Among the prizewinners in years past have been a racing video game featuring real-time integration into real-life sporting events, an electronic car-sharing system, a satellite-controlled “weed robot,” a landmine detection system, and a virtual postal community that incorporates package recipients themselves into the delivery process.

The 2008 contest welcomes your innovative entries beginning May 1, 2008 through July 31, 2008. You must submit your entry through the secure online database at www.galileo-masters.eu

A PDF file with complete information for prospective 2008 participants can be downloaded here: http://www.galileo-masters.eu/pdf/information_for_participants08.pdf

The Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen and the Messe München GmbH are joint sponsors of the ESNC 2008.

ESNC website: http://www.galileo-masters.eu/