UNDP, QBO, PDRF, and DTI Launch Disaster Resilience and Recovery ASEAN Startup Competition

“We want to create more success stories for startups. By creating a platform for startups to pitch and potentially activate their ideas, we’re giving them the opportunity to grow, deliver meaningful impact to relevant communities, and make the world a better place.” ~Rene “Butch” Meily, President of both QBO and IdeaSpace

QBO Innovation Hub (QBO), the Philippines’ public-private initiative for startups, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced STARTUPS TO THE RESQUE, an ASEAN-wide startup competition to develop the best innovation solutions related to disaster resilience and recovery to be held during DTI’s annual Slingshot event on October 20, 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). 

This challenge empowers startups from across the region to come up with ways to use their existing products, services, and business models to form creative solutions to pressing global issues, including environmental disasters, outbreaks/pandemics, or violence and conflict. The Slingshot ASEAN event also provides a platform for startups to network, build regional market access, and gain international exposure. 

The first prize winner will receive $10,000; second prize winner will receive $4,000; and third prize winner will receive $2,000. Scores are based on both the innovativeness and feasibility of a startup’s idea, and those with the most promising solutions will have the opportunity to work with the UNDP and deploy their solutions with PDRF, one of the world’s leading private sector disaster resilience consortia comprised of the Philippines’ top corporations. 

More than just a competition, STARTUPS TO THE RESQUE promotes awareness on the different crises faced by ASEAN countries – like the devastating typhoon Haiyan that ravaged Tacloban or the current armed conflict happening in Marawi – and inspires startups to play a more proactive role in preventing and mitigating these disasters. Together, the startup ecosystems across ASEAN can innovate and collaborate with each other with the shared goal of promoting preparedness and resilient recovery. 

Criteria

• Must be an existing startup with an existing model
• Startup may apply from any ASEAN country
• Startup can be of any funding stage or vertical (not necessarily disaster-focused)
• Startup must integrate their model with the theme of disaster preparedness or resilient recovery
• Disaster preparedness and resilient recovery integration/ solution can be just an idea

Mechanics

To apply, startups need to:

• Submit their application to: https://bit.do/RESQUE
• Fill out the form and complete the necessary information
• Upload their startup deck, which must include their existing model and its integration to the theme of ‘disaster preparedness’ or 'resilient recovery'. The solution can just be an idea! No MVP required

From the applications, 20 startups will be selected to participate and showcase their ideas at the SLINGSHOT ASEAN event, from which the top 6 finalists will be invited to pitch on stage. The top 3 startups with the best pitches will be selected as winners. 

Deadline of submissions is on Sept. 30, 2017.