IMDA launches Innovation Call with COVID-19-related challenges

The Singapore InfocommMedia Development Authority’s (IMDA's) Open Innovation Platform (OIP) has launched an Innovation Call to tackle challenges during and after COVID-19. The OIP, introduced in 2018, supports companies in getting quality and multidisciplinary ideas, talent and resources to meet their innovation and business needs effectively. Together, they co-create innovative digital solutions that are not commercially available in the market.

The Innovation Call, with the theme COVID-19 & Beyond – Innovation for Social Good, seeks to develop solutions to address the challenges faced by vulnerable Singaporeans and businesses. Through the Innovation Call, IMDA and its industry partners aim to inspire the innovation community to apply digital technology to solve COVID-related problem statements.

Examples would include developing a better food distribution network for underprivileged households, to efficiently test workers while minimising any disruption to business operations, and helping migrant workers access self-help resources.

Tan Kiat How, Chief Executive, IMDA, said, “COVID-19 has had and will continue to have a profound impact on lives and livelihoods, especially for the more vulnerable segments of our society. Through this special Open Innovation Call, we are reaching out to our innovator community to crowdsource solutions to challenges that our people and businesses face, and help us adapt to a post-COVID ‘new normal’.”

Melissa Kwee, CEO, National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), said,“Every crisis amplifies a nation’s strengths and weaknesses, and COVID-19 has brought the needs of many marginalised groups to our attention. Social innovation initiatives can foster greater 'whole of community' collaboration that identifies unmet needs and opportunities to rethink solutions and question our assumptions of what works in creating a truly inclusive society for hidden groups at the last mile.”

The OIP will host six challenges to address some of the problems aggravated by COVID-19, with total prize monies amounting to S$90,000. To help alleviate some of the initial risk of innovation, IMDA will co-fund 70% of each challenge’s prize money, with the remaining 30% supported by the partner.

The OIP has launched six Open Innovation Calls so far. To date, more than 6,500 registered solvers have signed up to participate in the 123 problem statements hosted, and more than S$3 million in prize monies has been distributed.

Details:

The call will close on 5 June 2020. Interested applicants can submit their proposals online.

Challenges

National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)

- Enhancing neighbourhood-based volunteerism and enabling regular social support for the vulnerable within the neighbourhood community

How can we enhance trust and reliance within the neighbourhood communities so as to promote a culture of giving and support, especially for the vulnerable families, by the community for the community?

- Smarter food resource management to alleviate food wastage and ensure food is distributed to the ones who need it

How might we leverage on digital solutions to create a food rescue or repurpose ecosystem, made up of the food industry, charities and supporting industry to minimise food wastage in Singapore?

NVPC and GlobalSign.In

“As an integral part of the society, migrant workers in Singapore help to build and make the country the modern metropolis it is today. The COVID-19 crisis is truly unprecedented and has placed the health and safety of many at risk. During these trying times, this is when we need to come together and innovate to better the lives and living conditions of people. As a start, ensuring the right information and relevant resources are made available to those who need it, is key,” said Veemal Gungadin, CEO & Founder, GlobalSign.In, an event management specialist.

- Assisting migrant Workers to gain access to resources and enable self-help

How might we reduce the barrier for migrant workers to gain access to healthcare services, food, shelter, information and rights independently so that they are aware of the help available and can ask and receive help in time?

Golden Energy and Resources 
 
“It is important that we emerge from this crisis more resilient as a society. That's why it is imperative now more than ever to collaborate with the larger community to find innovative solutions that can help workers go back to work safely, while helping those displaced find new ways to contribute,” said Tan Toi Ngee, Head of Innovation, energy and mining company Golden Energy and Resources.

- Avail resources to better utilise skills and time of displaced workers for supply chain transformation

How might we avail resources or platforms to better utilise the skills and workforce who may be displaced so as to transform the supply chain to meet the demands of societal needs, leading to more sustainable, efficient and resilient business models through deeper public-private partnerships?

- Decreasing the effective cost of testing our workforce to ensure they are safe and protected

How can we balance the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of testing the workforce to ensure their safety and protection while minimising disruption to business operations?
 
ABM Media

“Charity goes beyond just monetary donations for most corporate entities and individuals nowadays. We at ABM are looking into more innovative and integrated practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and exploring how we can leverage each other’s strengths to create more impactful shared value engagements.

"We hope through the development of a platform to connect the community more people can start to come together to collaborate and create good stories. The more wisdom that is collected and shared, the more we can lead more meaningful lives," said Gary Hong, Founder, ABM Media, a B2B marketing and media group.

- Digital platform for community participation, engagement & management

How might we bring all stakeholders into a single platform to offer sponsored resources and rally their communities for a better match of skills-based volunteering, delivering impactful social activities and accountability of sponsored resources?