SINGAPORE – The fifth edition of The Mapletree Challenge Grand Final, supported by Mapletree Investments (“Mapletree” or “the Group”) and organised by the Singapore Institute of Technology (“SIT”), culminated in a successful Grand Final on 3 May 2024. Team Aqua Gold, a group of Year 4 SIT students from the Food Technology degree programme, emerged victorious among the five finalist teams, walking away with the grand cash prize of S$8,000.
Team Aqua Gold aims to leverage Singapore’s limited farming space by collaborating with local aquafarms to craft Furikake sustainably. Their innovative offering, O.NILO Fish Furikake, is a nutritious topping crafted from tilapia fish fingerlings and okara (soybean pulp). By incorporating tilapia fish bones into the recipe, Team Aqua Gold minimises waste derived from traditional Furikake production. Available in three flavours, the product utilises locally sourced and upcycled ingredients, coupled with sustainable production methods, to reduce both carbon footprint and food waste.
First launched in October 2018, The Mapletree Challenge has nurtured sustainability guardians who are passionate about preserving a sustainable world with innovative solutions. More than 1,600 SIT students from various fields of study have benefitted from the annual challenges and mentorship centred on ‘Sustainability and Innovation’.
This year’s Challenge, held from February to May 2024, saw participants attending masterclasses on entrepreneurship, investor engagement and sales pitching; participating in a forum discussion on entrepreneurship and innovation by leading entrepreneurs; and sharpening their business proposals with advice from industry mentors. More information about The Mapletree Challenge 2024 is detailed in Annex A.
11 teams competed in the semi-finals stage, with five teams progressing to the Grand Final to vie for the Mapletree Gold, Mapletree Silver and Mapletree Bronze awards. The top three teams from the Grand Final were presented cash prizes of S$8,000, S$5,000 and S$3,000.
Mr Bernard Nee, Deputy President (Industry & Community), SIT, said, “The Mapletree Challenge was a unique initiative that availed learning opportunities through industry and community sustainability challenges. The Challenge has trained hundreds of students to think creatively and offer innovative solutions for sustainable practices, products and services.”
“Our continued support for The Mapletree Challenge 2024 aligns with our Corporate Social Responsibility pillar of education. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of innovators who will positively impact our society. We hope the Challenge serves as a stepping stone for students to continue developing entrepreneurial ideas to make a difference,” said Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree.
The finalist teams explored various sustainability aspects in products and services – from a smart vending machine that dispenses reusable food containers, a substitute material for styrofoam packaging that is environmentally friendly, a condiment that is produced locally using upcycled ingredients, a mobile app to trade underutilised everyday items which would otherwise be discarded, to a novel 3D printer that automates processes for sustainable operations. The full list of finalists is in Annex B.
Photo Credits: Keng Photography/Tan Eng Keng
The Mapletree Gold winner, Team Aqua Gold, at The Mapletree Challenge 2024 Grand Final held at Mapletree Business City.
The five finalist teams of The Mapletree Challenge 2024 with senior management of SIT and Mapletree.
Exchange of tokens of appreciation between Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree (left) and Mr Bernard Nee, Deputy President (Industry & Community), SIT (right).
