Indian Changemakers From the Singapore International Foundation’s Young Social Entrepreneurs Programme Awarded Funding to Turn Social Business Ideas Into Reality
MUMBAI, November 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
- 35 Global Changemakers and Social Innovators - Ready to Change the World After an Eight Month Journey of Cross-cultural Learning
- Budding Social Entrepreneurs From India can now Apply for the 2017 Edition of the Singapore International Foundation's Young Social Entrepreneurs Programme. New Applications for the 2017 YSE Programme are now Open at http://www.sif.org.sg/yseapply; Applications Close on 11 December 2016
35 young social entrepreneurs from 15 teams reached the culmination of an eight month, cross-cultural learning journey that took them through mentorship, an overseas study visit and an event where they presented their business ideas to a panel of judges as part of Singapore International Foundation's (SIF) Young Social Entrepreneurs Programme (YSE).
Saadhan, headed by promising social entrepreneurs, Mohit Dave and Pranav Harshe, was among the six teams that emerged as the winners of the YSE 2016 programme. They received SGD$20,000 in seed funding to start or scale their social enterprise. Saadhan seeks to empower farmers in rural areas of India with greater ownership of the food value chain so as to reduce poverty and resource wastage.
"Through the YSE programme, I've gained new insights on the possibilities that may come about when social enterprises tap into the power of multi-sectorial networks. We are excited to explore collaborations with corporates, non-profit sector and government and see how that can help us scale our impact and create greater social value for the communities we work with," shared Mohit Dave, 26, the Indian Co-Founder of Saadhan.
The programme saw teams representing eight countries - Azerbaijan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Yemen which were selected from an initial pool of 114 participants at the 2016 YSE workshop held in March this year. During the course of their journey, the teams received guidance from a pool of volunteer mentors from McKinsey & Company and first-time supporter of the YSE programme, Temasek International. The teams were chosen based on the impact, scalability and sustainability of their social enterprise.
The group of young changemakers also had the opportunity to interact with likeminded peers from across the region. They also gained insights from established social entrepreneurs, opinion leaders, academics and captains of industry from several business corporations - to tap into their range of expertise in the areas of legal, finance, investments and human resources. To widen their perspectives, the SIF also took them on an international study visit to understand the social enterprise landscape in Malaysia.
"Millenials of today are catalysts for global change. Many are innovative and driven by a strong sense of social purpose. When they come together, they can be dynamic agents for positive social impact. I believe that the YSE platform celebrates diversity, strengthens international connections, bridges cultural differences and further enables the robust exchange of ideas for a better world," said Ms Karen Ngui, Lead Judge and SIF Governor.
The SIF YSE 2016 programme is supported by several organisations including Ashoka and Asia Philanthropic Ventures, Harvard Club of Singapore, INSEAD, Kellogg HKUST Chapter, SAP, McKinsey & Company, NUS Business School, and Temasek International.
The closing session included a discussion titled 'Innovation for Social Good' which focused on how the social sector can leverage technology to scale the impact and reach of their work. The discussion featured Mr. Calvin Chu Yee Ming, Managing Partner from Eden Strategy Institute, Ms Lee Pui Kwan, Founding Chapter Leader from DataKind Singapore and Mr Varun Mehta, Regional Head of ASEAN from Tata Chemicals.
Other YSE 2016 winning teams are:-
- BeBonobo - headed by Azerbaijani Jasur Hasanov, Malaysian Kay Kay Ong and Yemeni Madyan Aziz Hasan Malfi, aims to promote conscious consumption by disrupting current wasteful consumption patterns - through an online listing website which connects individuals and businesses to a list of unwanted items.
- KAMA BATIK - headed by Indonesians Ajeng Hilarysa Pramesti, Dyah Rasyid, Novi Anathasya Purba, seeks to solve batik companies' waste management issues while empowering women through employment who turn these waste materials into useful products such as bags and accessories.
- NOMAD - headed by Singaporeans Muhammad Haziq Bin Mohd Rashid and Mohd Nasrul Bin Rohmat, seeks to partner local artisans with rural communities in India to create unique crafts.
- Praxium - headed by Singaporean Louis Puah, creates experiential projects, centered on careers that align with interests of youth with the support of industry professionals who serve as mentors.
- PsychKick - headed by Singaporeans Shafiqah Nurul Afiqah Binte Ramani and Sayid Hafiz Bin Sayid Zin, seeks to create a mobile application, in addition to traditional approaches, to assist clients and psychotherapists in the treatment process.
About Singapore International Foundation
The Singapore International Foundation makes friends for a better world. We build enduring relationships between Singaporeans and world communities, and harness these friendships to enrich lives and effect positive change. Our work is anchored in the belief that cross-cultural interactions provide insights that strengthen understanding. These exchanges inspire action and enable collaborations for good. Our programmes bring people together to share ideas, skills and experiences in areas such as healthcare, education, the environment, arts and culture, as well as livelihood and business. We do this because we believe we all can, and should, do our part to build a better world, one we envision as peaceful, inclusive and offering opportunities for all. Find out more at http://www.sif.org.sg
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