One venture from Singapore introduced a game-changing paper-based battery technology, which aims to pave the way for eco-friendly, biodegradable batteries that will not clog up our landfills. Meanwhile, a Thai enterprise unveiled customised wellness technology using artificial intelligence (AI) to help people stretch their muscles, helping to alleviate the all-too-common “Office Syndrome”.

These two Southeast Asian start-ups took to the stage at the OPPO Inspiration Challenge global finals in Singapore on Oct 18, to showcase their solutions that could change the world for people and the environment.

A GLOBAL SHOWDOWN WITH PURPOSE

Battling it out alongside 13 other enterprises from around the world, these innovators participated in the second edition of the Challenge, an initiative by global technology company OPPO and supported by partners such as Qualcomm and GSMA 5G IN.

Flint, the Singapore start-up, presented paper batteries as a sustainable and safe alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Its batteries are compostable, which means they neither contribute to landfill waste nor release toxic substances. Founded just last year, Flint joined the OPPO Inspiration Challenge seeking production capabilities to manufacture batteries for consumer devices, electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.

Meanwhile, Thai enterprise Benew Tech showcased a mobile application that guides users to get off their chairs to stand and stretch. This way, they avoid the dreaded myofascial pain syndrome that many office workers experience. With detailed animation and an AI-driven posture check feature, the Ertigo app encourages ergonomic self-care to prevent chronic pain.

For both Flint and Benew Tech, the OPPO Inspiration Challenge was more than a contest. It provided a platform for start-ups to flaunt their capabilities and scale their innovations, addressing the big challenges facing societies around the world. “We want to meet as many people as possible to validate our idea, so this is a great platform,” said Mr Pranav Prasad, Flint’s chief growth officer. “We hope to get more collaboration with companies and work with as many of them as possible. Also, it’s great to meet other start-ups to see how to use one another’s technology to build a sustainable product.”

Mr Boonya Kitpitak, the chief technology officer and co-founder of Benew Tech, said that although his company was not among the top five global winners, he remained optimistic about integrating his technology into mobile phones for personalised healthcare and wellness in the future. As this was the first international competition for the Bangkok-based start-up, Mr Kitpitak said it was an opportunity to see what others were doing and to improve its technology offerings.

COLLABORATIONS BRINGING TECH TO LIFE

Now in its second year, the OPPO Inspiration Challenge’s theme reflected the ambitious goals of a more sustainable future and smarter living. Earlier rounds saw start-up founders pitching their ideas in Bangkok, Boston and Shenzhen as they vied for a spot in the global finals in Singapore. Flint, for example, was selected from 24 Singapore entries, reflecting the country’s vibrant start-up ecosystem.

In the end, five top global winners emerged: China’s Bluepha, Aiverest and Skitelight; Estonia’s Woola; and the United States’ Ommo Technologies. Each winning team received US$50,000 (S$68,300).

The judges assessed the proposals based on feasibility, innovation and originality, long-term potential, and social values. Bluepha has since devised an eco-friendly packaging solution used for OPPO smartphones, while Aiverest offers contactless health monitoring and SkiteLight develops next-generation displays. Meanwhile, Woola repurposes surplus wool for packaging, and Ommo provides permanent, magnet-based 3D tracking technology.

The top five winners also gained a chance to collaborate with OPPO and its partners – to turn their ideas into reality. Previously, on the journey to the finals, the global top 15 met senior OPPO executives, technology and investment experts, and partners at an Acceleration Camp. Together, these have opened the doors for further partnership opportunities, with production and commercialisation tie-ups through an incubation fund of up to US$190,000.

In its second year, the OPPO Inspiration Challenge is organised by the OPPO Research Institute. Mr Jason Liao, president of the Institute, shared how past participants actively work with OPPO’s engineers and scientists to transform their technological visions into tangible products.

“Investing in the Inspiration Challenge is important to OPPO because OPPO alone cannot solve some of these challenges,” he told reporters at a media conference on Oct 18. “We need a platform to help companies that are passionate to find big problems and overcome them for the good of society,” he said. “Through the OPPO Inspiration Challenge, we can help give them a boost to go from conception to creation.”

For instance, the Institute of Care-Life (also known as Chengdu Meihuan Technology) has developed an earthquake monitoring and early warning app that can be integrated into mobile devices. This app is now featured in OPPO smartphones available in China. In addition, Bluepha has contributed to the creation of eco-friendly mobile phone packaging made from biodegradable materials, which highlights both OPPO’s commitment to the environment and the versatility of its foldable smartphones. Innovations from TangTangQuan, a health tech firm, have also supported the real-time blood glucose monitoring feature – tailored for diabetes patients – on the OPPO Watch 4 Pro.

AN EXPANDING FOOTPRINT

The latest edition of the Challenge witnessed a surge in both participation and the quality of entries. A total of 687 submissions came in from 66 countries, presenting a wide variety of ideas.

Mr Liao said that many entrants are now more mature start-ups, with several already having secured funding and approaching the production phase. Citing Flint, the Singapore start-up specialising in eco-friendly paper batteries, as a beacon of sustainable innovation, he explained that commercial objectives and sustainability are not scales to be balanced but parallel paths leading to a greener future. To this end, OPPO has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2050.

“Next year, we can expect another Challenge,” said Mr Liao. “We hope to see more innovation partners and from different regions.”