2025 Curaçao Innovation Award – Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions

2025 Curaçao Innovation Award 

For the purpose of these Terms and Conditions, the following definitions apply:

  • Organizer: Refers to the Curaçao Innovation & Technology Institute (CITI), responsible for the management, promotion, and execution of the Curaçao Innovation Award 2025.
  • Applicant: A company or individual who submits an innovation for consideration by completing the official application form.
  • Nominee: An applicant selected by the jury to advance to the final evaluation round.
  • Winner: A nominee who is awarded first place in one of the official award categories following the final jury evaluation.
  • Jury: A panel of independent experts selected by the Organizer to evaluate applications and select nominees and winners, in accordance with the evaluation criteria.
  • Innovation: A product, process, service, or business transformation submitted for evaluation, which meets the eligibility criteria outlined in this document.

General

  1. All companies, including sole proprietorships, may participate with a product innovation, process innovation, or innovative service (including business transformation) that is currently in use and has not previously participated in the Curaçao Innovation Award. Applications may be submitted either by the applicant directly or by invitation from the organizing committee.
  2. The product, process, or service must have been launched between January 2024 and September 2025 and successfully introduced to the local market.
  3. The applying or nominated company must be registered with the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce.
  4. The applicant must be the legal owner of the innovation, including all relevant Intellectual Property (IP) rights. If ownership is shared or disputed, this must be clearly stated in the registration form. Disputes or lack of clarity on ownership may result in disqualification.
  5. Participants agree to withdrawal from the competition in cases of:
    • Proven disputes over IP ownership
    • Fraudulent activity, including irregularities in public voting (People’s Choice)
  6. The innovation must demonstrate actual or potential positive results for the company, sector, and/or Curaçao’s economy.
  7. Registration is free of charge. Travel, accommodation, and any other costs incurred by participants are their own responsibility and will not be reimbursed.
  8. The Curaçao Innovation & Technology Institute (CITI) does not accept any liability for risks or outcomes associated with the awards process.
  9. Registration closes on September 10,  2025. CITI reserves the right to amend or extend the registration period at its discretion.
  10. CITI reserves the right to refuse or terminate participation during registration or the evaluation process if the participant does not meet eligibility requirements or violates the terms outlined herein.
  11. The list of nominees will be announced publicly 20 September 2024.
  12. Winners will be announced during the award ceremony on October 15, 2024. The jury’s decision is final and irrevocable.

Award Categories

Applicants can be considered for one or more of the following award categories:

  • The Curaçao Innovation Award – Overall highest-scoring innovation across all categories
  • Young Innovation Award – Best innovation by an entrepreneur aged 29 or younger
  • Sustainable Innovation Award – Innovation with the strongest contribution to sustainable development (social, environmental, or economic)
  • Digital Innovation Award – Innovation using digital tools or processes to create impact or efficiency
  • Business Innovation Award – Innovation with the most measurable business value (e.g., revenue, efficiency, competitiveness)
  • People’s Choice Award – Selected by public vote from among the nominees

Award Process

  1. Participants must register by completing the official form at www.citi.cw/innovationaward.
  2. By submitting the registration form, the applicant agrees to:
    • All evaluation procedures
    • Any media and publicity associated with the Innovation Award
  3. All submitted innovations are assessed by an independent jury, composed of experts from business, government, and academia.
  4. Jury members evaluate each entry based on a standardized scorecard relevant to the award category. Please note that the organizer may re-assign entries to a different award category, if the innovation aligns more closely with the criteria of another category.
  5. Nominees are selected in September based on jury scoring and are invited to proceed to the final round 
  6. All selected nominees must:
    • Present their innovation to the jury in a live or recorded pitch (this is mandatory)
    • Record a short video for use in the People’s Choice voting process
    • Be available to attend the Award Ceremony on October 15, 2024
    • Participate in media productions, including photos and video recordings, which may be used for promotional purposes by CITI and partners
  7. By registering, applicants grant permission to use their name, company name, images, and video/audio materials in promotional content for the Curaçao Innovation Award and future related activities.
  8. The participant agrees to the rules and procedures as outlined in these Terms and Conditions and any further instructions provided by the organizing committee.

Privacy Statement

  1. The data submitted via the registration form will be used solely for purposes related to the Curaçao Innovation Award 2025, including evaluation, communication, and follow-up.
  2. All data will be stored securely and treated confidentially by the Curaçao Innovation & Technology Institute (CITI).
  3. Your data may be used for future contact regarding innovation programs, research, or follow-up related to your application.
  4. Your contact and organization information may be shared with the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) and official jury members for the purpose of evaluating your entry.