• Many of the winning ideas showcased by youth teams at the annual Mapletree-SCCCI River Hongbao Hackathon today were spurred by business opportunities in an economy recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic

SINGAPORE – Re-useable mask holders. Scented keychains to relieve stress. 3D-printed flower pots for a growing legion of home gardeners. These are just a few of the record 45 enterprising submissions received for this year’s Hackathon. 

Ten were shortlisted for the finals at the Mapletree-SCCCI River Hongbao Hackathon (”RHBHacks”) today at Mapletree Business City, graced by Guest-of-Honour, Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. 

“Forging a Brighter Future” was the theme for the third edition of the annual youth entrepreneurship competition, sponsored by Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd (“Mapletree”) and supported by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (“SCCCI”). 

The theme showcased the unity and spirit of Singapore’s ‘new normal’ and required student teams to incorporate either environmental sustainability or social enterprise in their business ideas.

Mr Edmund Cheng, Mapletree’s Chairman said “Despite the ongoing pandemic, we are still firmly committed to supporting initiatives that provide learning opportunities and experiences for the next generation. Aligned to our corporate social responsibility pillar of education, Mapletree is happy to support RHBHacks for a third time and see an increasing number of students going beyond their school curriculum to deliver creative innovations.”

At the end of the presentation, three teams were selected as winners of RHBHacks 2021: E-Duo, Oreo Crush with Pearls, and Stick ‘Em. Stick ‘Em also took home the Most Innovative Award. Further details on the winning teams can be found under Additional Notes.

Each of the top three teams were awarded with S$2,000 prize money and S$5,000 seed money to develop and sell their product or service.

Participants hailed from 11 local and private tertiary institutions. The teams comprised two to five members each, aged from 18 to 29.

Prior to the presentations today, the youths were mentored by Mapletree’s retail expert during two virtual workshops on 12 October and 2 November 2020. 

In previous years, the three winning teams had set up shop at the annual River Hongbao – the largest Chinese New Year event in Singapore – and sold their wares.

Due to Covid-19, organisers are in the midst of finalising an arrangement for the winning teams to test their ideas in the market while adhering to safe management measures. 

Mr Ken Koh, CEO of Yang Kee Logistics Pte Ltd and Vice Chairman of SCCCI Youth Business Affairs Committee (“YBAC”), said, “In line with SCCCI’s mission to nurture and promote the Spirit of Chinese Entrepreneurs (SCE) within the youth community, RHBHacks is a good platform to showcase innovation and entrepreneurship while allowing the youths to immerse in Chinese business culture and the virtue of giving back to the society.”

Mr Tan Aik Hock, Chairman of the River Hongbao 2021 Organising Committee, added, “It has been a challenging year for everyone, but in every cloud there is a silver lining. There are new opportunities to be explored and it is the next generation, our youths, who will carry us forward with their energy, passion and creativity.”

Additional Notes

List of Winners

Top Three Finalists (In alphabetical order):

• E-Duo; Lim Wei Xiang Andy, Tan Hong Zhang and Dylan Raharja (NUS and SUTD): 3D printing to create bio-degradable, customisable and aesthetically pleasing pots targeting home gardeners.
• Oreo Crush with Pearls; Koh Xian Hui Bernice and Berlian Cheo Rui Chuan (Ngee Ann Poly and Republic Poly): Handmade paper soap sheets in environmentally friendly paper packaging.
• Stick ‘Em; Chong Ing Kai, Aida Sevilla, Chong Kai Jie and Tew Jing An (Singapore Poly and Eunoia JC): An affordable STEM education kit that makes use of 3D-printed connectors, disposable chopsticks, and an IOT box that nurtures design thinking for creative problem solving and hands-on learning.

Most Innovative Award:

• Stick ‘Em; Chong Ing Kai, Aida Sevilla, Chong Kai Jie and Tew Jing An (Singapore Poly and Eunoia JC): An affordable STEM education kit that makes use of 3D-printed connectors, disposable chopsticks, and an IOT box that nurtures design thinking for creative problem solving and hands-on learning.

Photos

Mr Ken Koh, CEO of Yang Kee Logistics Pte Ltd and Vice Chairman of SCCCI YBAC, giving out the Most Innovative Award to Stick ’Em.

(L-R): Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree; Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry; and Mr Tan Aik Hock, Chairman, River Hongbao 2021 Organising Committee, presenting the Top 3 Finalists Award to Oreo Crush with Pearls.

(L-R): Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree; Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry; and Mr Tan Aik Hock, Chairman, River Hongbao 2021 Organising Committee, presenting the Top 3 Finalists Award to E-Duo.

(L-R): Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree; Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry; and Mr Tan Aik Hock, Chairman, River Hongbao 2021 Organising Committee, presenting the Top 3 Finalists Award to Stick’ Em.

Handmade paper soap sheets in environmentally-friendly paper packaging by Oreo Crush with Pearls.

A set of 3D-printed connectors and disposable chopsticks, part of an affordable STEM education kit for children by Stick ‘Em.

A customisable 3D-printed flower pot for home gardeners by E-Duo.