Seven novel ideas to meet Asia’s rising demand for food, products and conveniences sustainably have made it through to the grand finale of this year’s The Liveability Challenge, a global search for game-changing solutions to some of the greatest problems facing cities in the tropics.
Presented by Temasek Foundation, organised by Eco-Business and convened by Closed Loop Partners, this initiative provides a platform for connecting investors and entrepreneurs in the sustainable development space.
Its third year saw more than 400 entries from over 60 countries globally. The shortlisted solutions include biodegradable packaging films, lab-grown cotton, and non-dairy milk solutions.
The majority of the finalists for the competition are from Singapore, with other contenders from India and the United States.
The finalists are…
1. Company: Mi Terro (United States)
Solution: Packaging film and apparel made from milk waste
2. Company: Nanyang Technical University (Singapore)
Solution: Biodegradable replacement for plastic film wrap made from crustacean shells
3. Company: String Bio (India)
Solution: Alternative proteins made by fermenting methane
4. Company: Galy (United States of America)
Solution: Lab-grown cotton from plant stem cells
5. Company: NamZ (Singapore)
Solution: Plant-based milk made from Bambara groundnuts
6. Company: Shiok Meats (Singapore)
Solution: Cell-based shrimp for sustainable seafood production
7. Company: TurtleTree Labs (Singapore)
Solution: Producing milk using biotechnology
8 July: The moment of truth
The winner of The Liveability Challenge, which is supported by Temasek Foundation, the philanthropic arm of government investment company Temasek, will receive up to S$1 million (US$734,000) in funding for their project.
Other finalists stand to win a spot in the TXG Sustainability Business Accelerator Program, a one-year venture building package at The Circularity Studio valued at $200,000, a mentorship with Closed Loop Partners, and a $50,000 investment with a spot on a leading accelerator programme with Planet Rise.
The Liveability Challenge Grand Finale will take place on 8 July 2020, where finalists will pitch virtually to a panel of judges.
Winners of past editions include a sustainable plant protein made from microalgae, and a replacement for single-use plastic straws using a biodegradable biopolymer.
