Are you ready to make a difference? The stage is set for the second edition of the DBS Foundation X NEA Hungry for Change Challenge, and it’s your time to shine! In collaboration with the National Environment Agency (NEA), DBS Foundation is thrilled to unveil this incredible opportunity for students and recent alumni from Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to be the change-makers Singapore needs.
From Challenge to Solution: Addressing Food and Packaging Waste
The challenge is clear: Singapore’s food and packaging waste issues are in the spotlight. Did you know that food waste alone accounts for a whopping 11% of the nation’s total waste? But that’s not all – the challenge has grown even bolder. The second edition brings forth a new focus on food-related packaging waste, spanning from upstream protective packaging to the packaging frenzy driven by today’s takeaway culture. The food supply chain’s packaging puzzle is beckoning for innovative solutions!
Powering Change with Key Partnerships
The impact is about to get bigger and better! DBS Foundation and NEA have teamed up with prominent food and beverage (F&B) establishments: the iconic McDonald’s, the beloved Koufu, and the innovative The Social Kitchen. Together, they’ve crafted comprehensive problem statements that mirror the challenges faced by the dynamic F&B industry. What’s more, these industry leaders will be your guiding light, evaluating your entries and collaborating with winning teams to pilot solutions.
Bridging Ideas and Businesses: The EnterpriseSG Partnership
Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) is joining hands with DBS Foundation and NEA as the Challenge’s outreach partner. They’re here to open doors, connecting past and future Challenge winners with businesses in the food services industry. This connection holds the potential for inspiring collaborations and transformative business endeavors!
From Inception to Impact: A Glimpse into the Journey
The Challenge was officially launched by none other than Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu. The spotlight was on the inaugural batch of Challenge winners, turning the event into a hub of fresh business opportunities. The pioneering teams from the first edition, focusing on upcycling food waste and innovative tech solutions, received grants, mentorship, and consultation sessions from DBS and NEA.
Their six-month pilots have recently concluded, culminating in an awe-inspiring presentation to a captive audience of industry players and associations eager to infuse sustainability into their businesses.
Savor the Success: A Culinary Celebration of Impact
As a tantalizing treat, attendees of the event enjoyed a delightful spread of vegetarian dishes, infused with ingredients developed through the Challenge projects. Imagine indulging in ‘Butter Chicken Empanadas’ crafted with Jiro-meat, a remarkable okara-based alternative protein. And don’t miss out on ‘Tex-Mex Chilli Bowls’, a sensational blend of soy protein infused with VemeTM, an innovation that extracts flavors from overlooked vegetables. This scrumptious menu was a collaborative creation with Brewerkz, a recipient of the DBS Foundation Grant Award, championing positive environmental and social impact through their work.
Ready to Make a Change? Join the Challenge Today!
This is your moment to shine! The DBS Foundation X NEA Hungry for Change Challenge is open to all students and recent alumni of IHLs in Singapore. Your ideas could pave the way to lasting solutions that reshape the future. The top five most innovative and impactful ideas will be generously funded and supported for their pilot phase.
What’s in it for You?
- Funding support of up to SGD 20,000 from DBS Foundation
- Mentorship from DBS
- Project consultations with NEA
- Access to potential collaboration opportunities facilitated by EnterpriseSG
But that’s not all! The most promising solutions at the end of the pilot phase could receive additional funding of up to SGD 25,000.
Submissions are open and will remain so until 31 October 2023. Stay tuned for the announcement of winners by February 2024.
Learn More, Get Inspired
Get ready for enlightening information sessions on 12 and 13 September 2023, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm SGT. Dive into the heart of the challenge and hear directly from industry leaders McDonald’s, Koufu, and The Social Kitchen about their food and packaging waste concerns.
The DBS Foundation X NEA Hungry for Change Challenge is here to empower your ideas, fuel your innovation, and create a legacy of impactful change. Don’t miss out on this chance to reshape the future of sustainability!
