ripple2wave Incubator launches Digital Water Hackathon: $250,000 R&D funds for startups with solutions to tackle Singapore water issues

SINGAPORE -�Media
OutReach - 24 February 2021 – Ripple2wave (R2WI),
together with the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), is organizing
its first Digital Water Hackathon to grow and nurture high potential startups
in the area of water technology. Winners will receive prizes including S$50,000
Startup SG Founder Grant*,  S$250,000
potential R&D funding, and up to S$6,000 Alibaba Cloud credits. Winning
solutions will also have guidance to expand globally and get further exposure
into the ecosystem. Registration at https://digitalwaterhackathon.com closes on
28 February 2021.

 

Singapore has set its sights on being
self-sufficient in water by 2060, while water demand is expected to double in
the same time frame. With current technical solutions, such as NEWater and
desalination, only 85% of the demand would be met. Infrastructure investments,
increasing operational costs required to maintain water systems, manpower
constraints, and the impact of climate change are some of the related
challenges Singapore’s water ecosystem is facing.

 

Given this situation, Singapore has invested
heavily in becoming a Global HydroHub, continuously evaluating and embracing
fresh ideas and perspectives to meet the future’s challenges.¹

 

“The Digital Water Hackathon will contribute
to these efforts (a) by raising awareness to the importance and challenges of
water management and (b) by attracting talent developing digitally based ideas
and solutions,” said Dr. Helge Daebel, Managing Director at ripple2wave,
and added: “The digital space has proven to deliver solutions giving
answer to the complexities of the water space. Singapore can leverage its
reputation, collaborative ecosystem and talent to become a leader in the
digital water space. We look forward to deploying our skills by creating,
nurturing, and growing related startups.”

 

The Digital Water Hackathon will run from 6 March
2021 — 24 June 2021. Participants are provided with six problem statements from
PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, Optiqua, ZWEEC Analytics and other
major water players in the Singapore Ecosystem.

*Subject to
Fulfilment of Startup SG Founder Eligibility Criteria

¹ https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/singaporewaterstory

About the Digital Water Hackathon

The Digital Water Hackathon runs
from 6 March 2021 — 24 June 2021. It provides participants with six problem statements
from PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, Optiqua, ZWEEC Analytics and other
major water player in the Singapore ecosystem.

 

Participants will be able to
enter the hackathon under two main categories:

(1) Entry: first-time
entrepreneurs looking to solve problems in the digital water sector whose
solutions are at the conceptual stage and

(2) Advanced: local or
international teams with existing solutions ready to be deployed.

 

The programme will include a
one-week Bootcamp and a 3-month long deep mentoring sessions by experts and
business mentors. Participants will get the opportunity to present their
solutions at the Singapore International Water Week 2021 in June this year.

 

More
information and details about the problem statements can be found at
https://digitalwaterhackathon.com.

About ripple2wave

Ripple2wave (R2WI) is a
Singapore based incubator building emerging water technology leaders to serve
global markets.

 

R2WI is a joint venture between
VFT Ventures(Singapore) and Emerald Technology Ventures, a globally recognized
Cleantech Investor with a twenty-year investment history. Part of this history
has been a unique traction in the water space including successful exits to
major industry players (SUEZ, XYLEM and BASF). Meanwhile, VFT successfully
commercialised technologies from A*STAR through ZWEEC Analytics.

 

R2WI is supported by Enterprise
Singapore and PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency to create a unique
ecosystem for emerging water technology startups.

www.r2wi.com