foodpanda launches PowerUp! Tech Academy to grow the local tech talent pool, upskill riders, and help merchants digitalise across Asia

foodpanda marks 10 years of operations in Asia with the official opening of its regional headquarters in Singapore, and the launch of the foodpanda PowerUp! Tech Academy.

Unlike a localized R&D facility, the foodpanda PowerUp! Tech Academy will use Delivery Hero’s global knowledge base in Singapore to power the tech and innovation ecosystem. The new foodpanda PowerUp! Tech Academy comprises programmes and partnerships to:

Grow the Local Tech Talent Pool

Tech talent at any stage of their career will benefit from multiple training programmes at foodpanda. Young, aspiring talent looking to start their journey in tech can sign up for internship and mentorship programmes, while those looking for a mid-career transition can sign up for upskilling opportunities.

Programmes will be run in partnership with the relevant government authorities and tertiary institutions like Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

foodpanda has also signed an MOU with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) that focuses on tech talent development, research and innovation.

Upskill Riders

foodpanda provides riders with opportunities to upskill with free or discounted educational courses in partnership with tertiary institutions. For some courses, riders will also gain certificates upon completion. In a pilot in Singapore last year, more than half of the rider fleet signed up for at least one programme.

In Singapore, foodpanda partners Intellect to provide riders free access to mental wellbeing self-care programmes and virtual coaching sessions.

Help Merchants Digitalise

Across all 11 markets in Asia, foodpanda runs multiple initiatives to support the digitalisation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which comprises hawkers, street food vendors, neighbourhood mom-and-pop stores and home-based businesses.

Initiatives to digitalise MSMEs include providing digital tools to boost merchant visibility and grow customer base, and training on using these tools.

As foodpanda continues to be a part of the community’s everyday life, foodpanda recognises its larger responsibility to build an inclusive ecosystem to drive positive change. In 2021 alone, foodpanda dedicated more than SG$50 million to support its community across the Asia region and is dedicated to continued investments in growing Asia’s digital economy in the years to come.