Singapore GreenTech Challenge by Microsoft to rally community effort and accelerate progress on the Singapore Green Plan

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 18 November 2021 – The Microsoft
Innovation Center for Sustainability Solutions (MICSS) has launched its
inaugural Singapore GreenTech Challenge to empower digital natives and start-ups
with operations in Singapore. Together with ecosystem partners including
Carbonless, Interseed, Avanade, EcoLabs, FINLAB by UOB, and NCS, MICSS will
work with participants to develop innovative sustainability solutions for
business that can be operationalized in line with priorities from the Singapore
Green Plan, which was
announced earlier this year. These priorities include Energy Reset, Green
Economy, City in Nature, Resilient Future, and Sustainable Living.

All early to mid-stage eco-tech startups with a
software-based solution that addresses environmental or social challenges
within the Singapore Green Plan are welcome to apply for this challenge. Interested participants can apply here: https://www.sggreentechchallenge.com/.

In the lead-up to
the finals, 15 to 25 companies will be shortlisted to present their solutions
to a judging panel of industry experts, which will consist of ecosystem
partners and leaders in the sustainability space. This will allow finalists
to connect and engage with potential clients, receive expert advice, and gain
exposure to resources and opportunities, all of which will help to accelerate
their business growth. Microsoft
will also work closely with these start-ups to bring their solutions to life on
Azure.

During the challenge, companies will be matched with
renowned experts from Carbonless and Interseed, who will offer personalized
coaching and mentorship to help companies develop their solutions. This includes
complimentary access to technology and support under the Microsoft for Startups
program, with grants of up to S$150,000 in Azure credits, as well as trusted
development and collaborative tools such as GitHub
and Microsoft
Teams.

The winner will stand a chance to win S$350,000 worth of
benefits and be able to tap on the rich knowledge and expertise of Microsoft’s
network of partners to grow and scale their sustainability solutions, powered
by the Microsoft Cloud.

“As a trusted ally to Singapore, Microsoft continues to
foster robust partnerships that empower our start-ups and communities to create
sustainable digital innovation across the Microsoft Cloud with data and AI. By
focusing on operationalizing real-world solutions for the Singapore Green Plan
together with our community, we continue to build collaboration and
co-innovation across the ecosystem as we contribute to a resilient,
digitally-inclusive Singapore,” said Tarun Shiroley, Partnership Development
Manager (ISV), Microsoft Singapore.

Through the Singapore GreenTech Challenge, Microsoft aims to encourage collaboration
and co-innovation between emerging eco-tech solution providers and like-minded
corporates. The challenge will also bolster Singapore’s position as a regional testbed
for innovation, as its community creates relevant, scalable, and deployable business
solutions that target the country’s most pressing sustainability challenges.