Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Liveability Challenge?

Started in 2018, The Liveability Challenge is a global call for viable, groundbreaking solutions to some of the greatest problems facing cities in the tropics in the 21st century. Finalists stand the chance to secure up to S$1 million for each track to fund their game-changing solutions.

Who is The Liveability Challenge organised by?

The Liveability Challenge is presented by Temasek Foundation and organised by Eco-Business.

Temasek Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Temasek, championing liveability and sustainability, and supporting innovation that can deliver a significant impact to improving the way we live, work and play. The Foundation funds translational research to help researchers produce operational prototypes which can then be developed further into commercial products.

Eco-Business is the leading digital media company serving Asia Pacific’s clean technology, smart cities, responsible business and sustainable development community. Its platforms and services include the award-winning Eco-Business.com site, custom publications, market research and whitepapers, multimedia production, consultancy, training and high-impact bespoke events catered to deepen discussions on sustainability.

Who is eligible?

You are eligible if you are:

18 years or older.

Not an employee of Temasek Foundation or Eco-Business

Not a close relative or connected otherwise with the organisation or the judging of the competition

How do I enter the challenge?

The Challenge is accepting submissions between 4 November 2022 and 31 March 2023, 2359h (GMT +8) here.

Please read the criteria for application here and then fill in this form

All projects that do not meet requirements of i) having proof of concept and ii) being at least TRL 6 will be declined.

There is no cost to participating in The Liveability Challenge.

Please review the Terms & Conditions before submitting your projects to the challenge.

What are the challenge themes for 2023?

The themes for 2023 are Climate change and Food & Nutrition. More details can be found on the Submissions page here.

What if my solution fits more than one theme?

We advise that you submit your solution where it has a competitive advantage. In the event the Shortlisting Committee believes your solution is a better fit in another theme, you will be informed and given the option for your solution to be evaluated in the alternative theme.

How will applicants be evaluated and shortlisted?

Registered participants will be evaluated based on information submitted in accordance with the following criteria:

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1. Impact (40%)

How does the solution address urban challenges of the 21st century?

How original and innovative is the proposal?

What is the likely scale of impact?

Which Sustainable Development Goals does it contribute to?

2. Feasibility (30%)

How well will the solution perform in an urban setting?

What are the technologies underpinning the proposal? Are they original?

How quickly can the solution be adopted?

3. Commercial viability (30%)

What is the size of the target market? Who will the idea appeal to?

Who are potential collaborators, who are competitors?

How close is the solution to commercialisation and how much funding is required until then?

How are finalists selected for The Liveability Challenge?

1. Once submissions are closed, The Organiser does a first cull to find the top 10 to 15 entries per track. This number depends on the quality of submissions.

2. The Organiser will gather investors, corporates and domain experts to evaluate the shortlisted entries, and pick 3 per track to advance to the finale. Submissions are selected based on the quality of their application, proof-of-concept and applicability to urban cities.

3. Shortlisted finalists are required to accept the invitation to pitch at the Grand Finale within 3 working days. In the event they fail to do so, their spot will be given to the next best project.

What are the awards of The Liveability Challenge?

The teams with the most ground-breaking solution will get to pitch at The Liveability Challenge Grand Finale in June 2023, for a chance to secure the following:

Grand Prize of up to S$1 Million grant funding project development by by Temasek Foundation for each track
o Projects aiming to secure this grant must have or plan for a pilot programme in Singapore, or within Southeast Asia for ocean-related proposals.
o Funds will be disbursed based on agreed-upon project milestones in the final contract, on a reimbursement basis. The only exception is the first disbursement which will provide up to 20-30% of the total fund for Principal Investigators to kick-start the project
o Funding is expected to be processed and paid out to the winner about one month from signing the contract
o Qualifying expenses includes direct manpower costs (founders’ salaries not included), equipment and software costs, and costs of materials, production and certification. Travel, conferences and other business development costs will not be supported.
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A Minimum S$100,000 investment by PlanetRise
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A Minimum S$100,000 investment by Quest Ventures
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A Minimum S$100,000 investment by Rumah Foundation‍
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A Minimum S$100,000 investment by Trirec
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A Minimum S$100,000 investment by PeakBridge

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Who will judge the projects and how?

Projects will be reviewed and shortlisted by Temasek Foundation, Eco-Business and a panel of industry experts.
For The Liveability Challenge Grand Finale, the profile of judges will be published online prior to the event.

Projects will be judged according to the following criteria:

Technology Readiness Level 6: Projects must have formulated its technology concept and application, undergone analytical and characteristic proof of concept. Components must be validated in a laboratory and relevant environment.

Innovation: The project must propose a solution that is based on a new technology.

Impact: The solution must address the problem statement, benefit urban centres in the tropics and be acceptable to stakeholders.

Scalability: The solution should be replicated to tropical cities in similar settings.

What is Technology Readiness Level 6?

For example, an engineer develops a battery storage technology for homes that can hold 50% more energy by weight than others on the market. She works on it and is able to prove with great success in a laboratory environment with simulated real-world settings that her battery functions as she intends it to. She has attained proof of concept.

Now she must attain proof-of-value, and does so by applying to The Liveability Challenge with a proposal to test her battery storage technology out in a housing estate in Singapore. Because she has proof of concept, she is eligible apply to The Liveability Challenge for funding and other opportunities.

While there is more than one definition of Technology Readiness Levels, applications to The Liveability Challenge will be accepted as long as they demonstrate proof of concept.

When will I know if I'm selected?

Finalists: Early May 2023

Winners: June 2022

What are my obligations as an entrant?

Entrants who are shortlisted as finalists will:

a. Attend a pitch preparation session in May 2023 to refine your presentation, with the help of our panel of coaches

b. Join the grand finale of The Liveability Challenge in June 2023, make a 7-minute pitch to the judging panel at The Liveability Challenge

c. Answer judges’ questions in a 7-minute Question & Answer session after the pitch

d. For finalists based outside of Singapore, they must use the air tickets and accommodation provided by The Organiser (pending Covid-19 regulations).

What are the benefits to participating in The Liveability Challenge?

The teams with the most ground-breaking solutions will be mentored to refine their pitches and proposals, through an intensive month of coaching by leading experts. They will get to pitch their solutions at The Liveability Challenge Grand Finale, for a chance to win up to S$2 million in funding and other exclusive opportunities.

Where is The Liveability Challenge Finale held?

The Liveability Challenge 2023 Grand Finale venue will be announced at a later date.

Is my information confidential?

The information you provide on your application will only be available to the following:

- The Liveability Challenge Organisers (to manage your application)

- The shortlisting committee (to evaluate your application)

- The judges (to score your project)

- Our partners (for potential collaborations)

Your project title and ideas may be announced in the public domain for the sole purpose of promoting The Liveability Challenge and its related events.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Partners

Co-presenter of the Food & Nutrition track

Strategic Partners

Challenge Partners

Outreach Partners

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Venue Partners

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Become a partner

We're looking for partners. Join The Liveability Challenge partner network to help us spread the word and find solutions for a more liveable, sustainable Asia.

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Contact us.

tlc@eco-business.com



Contact Form

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Terms & Conditions

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FAQ

888

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88

Hours

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Liveability Challenge?

Who is The Liveability Challenge organised by?

Who is eligible?

How do I enter the challenge?

What are the challenge themes for 2023?

What if my solution fits more than one theme?

How will applicants be evaluated and shortlisted?

How are finalists selected for The Liveability Challenge?

What are the awards of The Liveability Challenge?

Who will judge the projects and how?

What is Technology Readiness Level 6?

When will I know if I'm selected?

What are my obligations as an entrant?

What are the benefits to participating in The Liveability Challenge?

Where is The Liveability Challenge Finale held?

Is my information confidential?

Partners

Co-presenter of the Food & Nutrition track

Strategic Partners

Challenge Partners

Outreach Partners

Powered by

Venue Partners



Become a partner

We're looking for partners. Join The Liveability Challenge partner network to help us spread the word and find solutions for a more liveable, sustainable Asia.









Contact us.

tlc@eco-business.com



Contact Form



Terms & Conditions



FAQ

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