BlackBerry Developer Challenge Starts June 1

This morning at the WES 2009 Conference, BlackBerry Partners Fund announced the 2009 BlackBerry Developers Challenge. This is the second year that the challenge is running, although the focus for this year's contest has shifted and entries will be evaluated on both the application submitted and its supporting business plan.

Developers can pre-register now at www.blackberrypartnersfund.com to receive details on the challenge. Submissions officially open on June 1^st and the winner will be selected at the BlackBerry Developers Conference November 9-11 in San Francisco. Full contest rules and regulations will be revealed on June 1^st.

The Grand Prize Package worth $50,000  includes a $25,000 Cash Prize and a $25,000 value package including a mentoring session by RIM and an opportunity to pitch BlackBerry Partners Fund for a potential investment. It also includes a free Alliance membership. A runner-up will receive a $10,000 cash prize.All Finalists will receive their DevCon registration for free. To be eligible it must be a working BlackBerry application from a start-up, not-professionally financed (maximum of $1MM outside investment.)

A panel of judges will select 10 finalists by looking for the most compelling product or service, clearly defined value proposition, viable business model, and entrepreneurs who have the ability to execute.

Final judging will take place at DevCon, where each finalist must present their application or service to be considered for the Grand Prize. Submissions open June 1st and close September 15th.