Mapletree Investments (“Mapletree” or “the Group”) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the third edition of Mapletree x Ngee Ann Polytechnic (“NP”) Hack, which received enthusiastic participation from close to 100 students in 25 teams across various secondary schools and Institutes of Higher Learning.

Supported by Mapletree, Mapletree x NP Hack 2025 offered students a platform to create tailored solutions addressing real-world challenges, such as mental health concerns, economic security, sustainability and societal shifts driven by artificial intelligence (“AI”). Students picked up technical and soft skills through design thinking, skill-up workshops and consultations with facilitators.

The innovative ideas – a game combating mental health stigma, an AI-powered vending machine rewarding sustainable composting habits, a gamified financial management app and an e-commerce plug-in designed to promote sustainable shopping – stood out as winners among eight competing teams, impressing the judging panel in their respective five-minute pitches during the Finals on 2 April 2025. The details of the winning ideas are provided in Annex A.

The proposed solutions were evaluated based on the relevance to the target audience’s needs, business case as well as creativity and persuasiveness demonstrated by the teams’ presentation skills. Winning teams were awarded cash prizes of S$3,000 (First Prize), S$2,000 (Second Prize), S$1,000 (Third Prize) and S$500 (Fourth Prize) respectively.

Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree, said: “Education is one of our four pillars in Mapletree’s Corporate Social Responsibility framework. We take pride in supporting Mapletree x NP Hack as it provides students with valuable opportunities to learn, innovate and grow. We are honoured to enrich the learning experiences of all student participants and help them unlock their full potential when addressing real-world challenges.”

“At NP, we are committed to building a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We are heartened that a growing number of students are stepping forward to showcase their creativity. They also have the gumption to tackle challenges such as the impact of generative AI and issues such as mental wellness, sustainability, and financial security for youth,” said Mrs Pang-Eng Peck Hong, Director of The Sandbox, NP’s Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Office. “Through this experience, participants not only honed their analytical and problem-solving skills, but also developed a deeper awareness of how they can contribute to society.”

The hackathon, launched in 2021, seeks to equip students with marketable and future-ready skills in a constantly evolving landscape. This year, the hackathon combined in-person sessions with online workshops in a hybrid format.

Working in teams of three to five, students submitted their proposals before a judging panel comprising Ms Joanna Lee, Director of Retail Management Systems at MPACT Property Management; Mr Lim Wei Liang, Managing Director of ThinkX Global and Mr Desmond Low, Assistant Director at ACE.SG.

The hackathon was organised by The Sandbox, NP Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Office. Facilitators for the Design Thinking workshops and Consultation Clinics included staff and students from NP.

The third edition of Mapletree x NP Hack received enthusiastic participation from close to 100 students

ANNEX A – Winning Teams

First Prize: Team The Feet Club receiving their cash prize of S$3,000 from the judging panel.   Names of team members: Alvin Taishiran Teo Courtney Tan Zhi Xuan Jocelyn Chng Hui Pheng Ng Shi Ying	Theme: Mental Wellness How might we foster a caring community in schools to promote mental well-being in students?  Team The Feet Club seeks to address the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly among students. Many youths in Singapore experience anxiety and mood disorders but struggle to seek help due to discomfort and fear of being judged. A lack of empathy and understanding further discourages open conversations about mental wellness. The team consisting of students from NP Polytechnic and Nanyang Polytechnic developed an interactive mystery game designed to build empathy and encourage discussions about mental health. The game combines augmented reality (“AR”) and physical elements to create an immersive experience where players step into a character’s life, uncovering clues about their struggles. By making mental health discussions engaging, safe, and relatable, the team aims to reduce stigma, promote help-seeking behaviour, and foster a more supportive school environment.
Second Prize: Team Nature Loop receiving their cash prize of S$2,000 from the judging panel.   Names of team members: Arissa Michelle Gay Lee E Yu Grace Rakshambika Selvarajoo	Theme: Sustainability How might we empower people to adopt sustainability practices in their daily living? Many people struggle to adopt sustainable practices due to a lack of awareness, convenience-driven habits, and the belief that individual efforts do not make a difference. Team Nature Loop from ITE College Central designed a Compost Vending Machine which makes composting simple and rewarding. Equipped with AI technology, it detects compostable materials, tracks user contributions via an app, and offers redeemable points as incentives.
Third Prize: Team Moenix receiving their cash prize of S$1,000 from the judging panel.   Names of team members: Benjamin Ang Mohammad Basel Hashim Teen Cheng Xi Ethan	Theme: Economic Security How might we promote financial literacy and education among youths to equip them with knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions? Youth these days struggle with budgeting, saving, and making informed financial decisions, leading to bad financial habits. Team Moenix from NP Polytechnic proposed a dynamic, gamified financial management app designed to encourage Gen Z users to save, budget, and invest effectively. This app automates expense tracking, provides financial insights, and incorporates interactive elements to make financial education engaging and sustainable.
Fourth Prize: Team CarbonCtrl receiving their cash prize of S$500 from the judging panel.   Names of team members: Cheng Xiaohong Gan Zhijin Wu Jia Li	Theme: Sustainability How might we empower people to adopt sustainability practices in their daily living? With e-commerce platforms contributing nearly half of their total carbon emissions from packaging alone, and delivery demand expected to rise significantly by 2030, there is an urgent need for sustainable solutions. Team CarbonCtrl from NP Polytechnic proposed an e-commerce plug-in designed to promote sustainable shopping through education and transparency. By integrating sustainability into the shopping experience, the team aims to change consumer behaviour, encourage businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices, and significantly reduce carbon emissions from e-commerce.