FAQ

• Submit on behalf of your customers. In this case the end customer will be the one eligible for prizes and the partner will be recognized. Submit a developed next-gen application using at least one of the advanced technologies: Machine learning or artificial intelligence Robotic process automation, conversational AI, AI-based knowledge graph, Internet of Things, Blockchain, Intelligent data management (Multi-cloud, data virtualization and governance, smart data tiering, persistent memory, data privacy), Advanced and augmented analytics (real-time and steaming analytics, special analytics, Natural language query and generation, AutoML to identify trends, patterns and outliers, Predictive analytics (time series analytics and forecasting, regression, classification), Data and analytics solutions in the cloud (Unified data and analytics cloud platforms by SAP, Modern/self-service data to analytics), Advanced cloud integration (API economy - monetization and API marketplaces), AI-based or crowdsourced integration, High throughput, low latency digital integration hub), Industry cloud platform or 3D Printing

• Submit an SAP customer in this case partner is using SAP technology in their own organization.

Each year the innovation awards team works with legal counsel to expand the list of eligible countries i.e., verify local laws governing contests. The following five countries: Brazil, Belarus, Croatia, Italy, and Nigeria, have been added as eligible countries this year. And, the following list of countries are eligible for the SAP Innovation Awards 2021:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Brazil, Canada (excluding Quebec), Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,  Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, eSwatini, Sweden, Switzerland,  Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Venezuela.

Additionally, the application that is the subject of the Entry must be deployed in an Eligible Country or has been developed and intended to be sold, and used by customers in an Eligible Country.

Companies with deployments in non-eligible countries may participate in the awards and stand a chance to be selected as winners and receive a trophy. However, they are not eligible to win any of monetary the prizes.

Yes, a single submission can win multiple awards and would receive multiple trophies. However, a winning entry is entitled to a maximum of one (1) SAPPHIRE NOW pass or Global Giving gift card.

The 2021 judging criteria is:

• Use Case: How compelling and disruptive is the use case described in the entry? Does the use case involve a big idea and innovative approaches? Can it drive significant change?
• Outcome: What was the result of the project? What is the magnitude of the outcome? What is the impact on individuals? How compelling are the quantified results?
• Intelligent Enterprise: How well does the entry demonstrate the company’s journey to becoming an intelligent enterprise? Is the company effectively using advanced technologies and best practices to transform its business model, reengineer a business process(es), reimagine work, become more sustainable, or deliver delightful experiences to customers and/or employees? 

• For all categories: SAP Customers with live deployment of SAP solutions

• For Transformation Champion category:

• For Partner Paragon category:

• On behalf of your Customer:  By showcasing how your customer is using SAP products to innovate and describing your role and contribution as the partner in the project. In this case, the customer is the actual participant of the awards and will win the prizes in case the entry is selected, but partner will be recognized as well. 
• As a Customer: When your organization is using SAP solutions internally for its own benefit.

For Partner Paragon category only:

• As a Partner App Developer: When your organization has developed a next-gen application using at least one of the advanced technologies: Machine learning or artificial intelligence (Robotic process automation, conversational AI, AI-based knowledge graph, Internet of Things, Blockchain, Intelligent data management (Multi-cloud, data virtualization and governance, smart data tiering, persistent memory, data privacy), Advanced and augmented analytics (real-time and steaming analytics, special analytics, Natural language query and generation, AutoML to identify trends, patterns and outliers, Predictive analytics (time series analytics and forecasting, regression, classification, Data and analytics solutions in the cloud (Unified data and analytics cloud platforms by SAP, Modern/self-service data to analytics), Advanced cloud integration (APIeconomy (monetization and API marketplaces), AI-based or crowdsourced integration, High throughput, low latency digital integration hub), Industry cloud platform or 3D Printing.

Yes, 3rd parties, i.e., SAP partners and SAP employees, can submit on behalf of an SAP Customer. In the entry form, you must:

• Enter the customer’s contact details as participant (competing for the awards and eligible for prizes)
• Confirm in the entry form that the customer has agreed and provided consent to participate

 Note: The SAP Innovation Awards team will send the participant (customer) an email if entry is published/ selected as finalist or winner and the you, as submitter, will be copied. 

• Use the online tool to check your submission eligibility before you start developing your Pitch Deck.

• Maximize your chance of winning by submitting a compelling and well-structured story using the pitch deck template. Once posted, you can continually refine your Pitch Deck until the end of the submission period.
• Use the pitch deck guidance document to help you structure your pitch deck. 
  

3. Create your SAP.com Account (required)

• If you do not have an account created on sap.com, you will need to create one before accessing the online entry form (see next step).

• Along with the Pitch Deck, you must also complete the online Entry Form with information about you (participant) and your company. It also includes promotional opportunities that you might like to participate in.
• Remember to upload the pitch deck in PPT format, the company logo, an optional participant photo, and the participating SAP partner logo (if applicable).
  

While the winning entries can be in any language, the submissions i.e., Entry Form and Pitch Deck, must be in English.

• Gain global recognition as an innovation leader and claim sole bragging rights​
• Win a trophy and prizes (see question "What are the prizes available to winners of the award?" for details), a virtual badge and other assets for promotion and social media​ 
• Get support from SAP to create and promote your innovation story​

• Engage with SAP executives at a dedicated exclusive celebration event​ 
• Get your brand amplified via Innovation Awards promotional materials ​ 
• Participate in SAP activities such as webinars, podcasts, interviews, videos, blogs, social media, and more!

Extend your network and do good

• Connect with your peers and other prominent business leaders ​​ 
• Support social causes through charitable contributions of $100 per submission (up to a total of $20,000) on behalf of customers to different organizations worldwide ​
• Improve people’s lives by donating the awarded $1,000 Global Giving gift card to one or more causes of their choice.(Note: The Global Giving gift card is valid only if SAPPHIRE NOW is not possible. Public sector companies and related public sector companies and entries from non-eligible countries are not eligible to receive the gift card). 

There are many benefits of participating in the award program for SAP partners.

Promote your company’s innovation story

• Gain global recognition as an innovation leader ​
• Build credibility with their customers, prospects, and industry peers​
• Win big prizes​

Promote your customer’s innovation story

• Showcase your customer successes, amplify their story to a broad audience positioning them as leaders and innovators
• ​ Promote your role as a trusted partner helping customers to innovate​ 
• Take advantage of the many opportunities to tell your customers’ stories through the SAP Innovation Award (online/social media, SAPPHIRE NOW Reimagined activities, press and analyst opportunities, webinars, and podcasts) ​

Promote your innovative next-gen application to enter a market or capture an opportunity

• Promote your innovative solution to SAP employees and SAP customers​
• Gain bragging rights over peers with validation of innovation leadership from SAP​
• Get exposure and opportunities to interact with SAP executives virtually

• Government and Government related entities employees may participate and are not eligible for the prize identified above, but may receive recognition for their achievements in the form of a trophy.

•  Participants from non-eligible countries and/ or deployments in non-eligible countries may participate and are not eligible for the prize identified above, but may receive recognition for their achievements in a form of a trophy.

All previous award winners are publicly available on the awards website –  from 2020 and previous years. Submissions for the 2021 awards will be posted on the website as soon as they are verified.

• 2021 SAP Innovation Awards logos