Courtesy of GeoSmart, the Local Innovation Awards have been launched today (thanks to Geekzone for the tip).

Starting from today and open until mid-February, developers can submit both concepts as well as developments of location-based applications specifically for mobile phones or mobile devices.

There are four category prizes available;

1. Proximity-based Marketing
2. Social Networking
3. Location-based Games
4. AA Maps Widget

Each of the category winners above will win a variety of mobile devices.

The overall winner, selected from one of the four category winners and announced at the Wireless and Broadband Forum’s Convergence 2009, will receive a trip to the San Jose “Where 2.0″ conference in May 2009 including flights, accommodation and registration fees.

If you’re a developer and are interested in building something for the awards you can find more information in the GeoSmart SmartFind Development Center.