DBS-NUS Social Venture Challenge Asia 2017 is in its fourth consecutive year. Started in 2014 with approximate 300 plus entries to today, over thousands of submission, the scale has grown exponentially. This competition is organised by DBS Foundation and NUS Enterprise for any social enterprises in the Asia region, opened to members of the public. It aims to identify and support innocative new ideas and existing social ventures that have the potential to generate positive, scalable and sustainable social impact.
Numerous multi-national organisation has stepped forward as sponsors in terms of monetary and mentoring support.
1080 entries from 345 enterprises, 735 ideas across 31 Countries competing for the 13 awards worth a total of $180,000 cash prizes over a 6-month period since April 2017. To find out who are the 16 Finalists who made it to the last stage of competition, click here. The compete in 2 categories, namely the Idea and Enterprise.
At the event, Isaac Tay (Co-Founder and VP of Special Projects at honestbee), Jayesh Parekh (Managing Partner of Jungle Ventures) and Rebecca Lim (Head of Our Better World, Singapore International Foundation) together with Leona Tan (Head of DBS Foundation) as the moderator for the Fireside Chat on “The Social Power of Storytelling – Resonate and Connect”. Though it was a short 20 minutes sharing but the takeaway message was impactful.
In short, storytelling has to capture both the heart and head by providing the empathy side of the story and the financial numbers. At the same time, remember who the audience are, then weave the what, why and where together and ensure that it is memorable, shareable and relatable.
Winners of the SE Challenge Asia 2017
Asia For Good Reader’s Choice Award
SLCO Community Resources – Hong Kong
Dell Digital Awards
TEMU – Indonesia
Imagtor (Education) – Vietnam
Syngenta Innovative Social Enterprise Award (Agriculture)
Crowde (Agriculture) – Indonesia
The Head Foundation Innovative Social Enterprise Award (Education)
Imagtor (Education) – Vietnam
Idea Category Winners
Evoware (Energy & Environment) – Indonesia
CocoAsenso (Agriculture) – The Philipines
Enterprise Category Winners
TEMU (Web & Mobile) – Indonesia
ANA by Karma (Arts & Fashion) – Hong Kong
Crowde (Agriculture) – Indonesia
Haqdarshak Empowerment Solutions (Financial Services) – India
HelpUSGreen (Energy & Environment) – India
Imagtor (Education) – Vietnam
Judges’ Choice Award Winner
HelpUsGreen – India
Remaining Finalists
Beijing Ofenbei Technology 零分贝 (Web & Mobile) – China
Cattle Mettle (Agriculture) – India
EcoAct Tanzania (Energy & Environment) – Tanzania
iSEE Mobile Apps (Web & Mobile) – Hong Kong
Jaga-Me (Healthcare & Sanitation) – Singapore
Knight Digital Technology (Transport) – Taiwan
POS!BLE.NET (Financial Services) – The Philippines
WeCare.id (Healthcare & Sanitation) – Indonesia
NAHMJ Verdict
DBS-NUS Social Venture Challenge Asia 2017 is certainly meaningful, creating a network of contacts for the Social Enterprises. If you can help them in anyone or if you know of someone who can help, connect with them.
*Disclaimer: This was an invited event.