Singapore recently hosted the Global Final Demo Event for the 2023 OPPO Inspiration Challenge, where PPO announced the triumphant teams behind five exceptional proposals. This challenge, initiated by the OPPO Research Institute and backed by influential names like Qualcomm, GSMA 5G IN, Amazon Web Services, and LinkedIn, drew proposals in two categories: “Inspiration for People” and “Inspiration for the Planet.” These concepts align with OPPO’s commitment to “Virtuous Innovation,” seeking solutions that enhance the world we live in.
From Proposals to Reality
This year’s Inspiration Challenge journey involved three regional challenges and an acceleration camp, paving the way for 687 proposals from teams in 66 countries worldwide. The culminating event revealed five winning proposals, and these teams will now embark on collaborative projects with OPPO and its partner organizations to transform their ideas into reality.
A Showcase of Cutting-Edge Products
The Global Final Demo Event at the Changi Exhibition Centre allowed six startup teams from the 2022 and 2023 entries to present their cutting-edge products and prototypes in collaboration with OPPO. Among them, Bluepha Co., Ltd. partnered with OPPO to introduce environmentally friendly packaging for mobile phones. They also displayed art installations crafted from biodegradable materials, showcasing the lightweight and flexible nature of OPPO’s foldable smartphones while highlighting the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
A Focus on Sustainability
Another sustainability-driven startup, Woola, exhibited its packaging solution for the OPPO Watch, demonstrating its use of recycled wool. TangTang Quan, a previous Inspiration Challenge winner, returned this year to showcase the results of its collaboration with OPPO. Their work involves a blood glucose monitoring function for the OPPO Watch 4 Pro, offering real-time blood glucose level monitoring for diabetes patients through a customized smartwatch interface.
A Valuable Acceleration Camp
In a new development for this year, OPPO collaborated with Deloitte to host an Acceleration Camp before the Global Final Demo Event. This camp brought experts from the OPPO Research Institute, along with representatives from OPPO’s software, hardware, investment, universities, research, and IoT departments. Industry experts from Deloitte were also present to engage with the top 15 teams, providing guidance on technology, industry trends, and the business potential of their proposals.
And the Winners Are…
Following intense competition and evaluation, a panel of judges, featuring members from the OPPO Research Institute, OPPO’s investment department, and experts from Temasek International, Deloitte, GSMA, and Fidelity International, selected five winning proposals based on Feasibility, Innovation and Originality, Long-term Potential, and Social Values. The victorious teams—Bluepha, SkiteLight, Woola, Ommo Technologies, Inc., and Shenzhen HUAYI Medical Technologies Co., Ltd.—each received a grant of USD $50,000. This is not just a cash prize; it’s an opportunity to work closely with OPPO and its partners to develop and implement their innovative concepts.
Celebrating Excellence
In addition to these winners, Flint Paper Battery clinched the People’s Choice awards in both the “Inspiration for People” and “Inspiration for Planet” categories, and Flint Paper Battery and Impulse (Non-Surgical Hearing Aid) secured the Media Choice awards.
A Vision for the Future
OPPO remains dedicated to fostering innovation by uniting technology professionals, entrepreneurs, and startup teams through initiatives like the Inspiration Challenge. This approach continues to pave the way for innovative solutions that harness the power of technology for the betterment of society.
