Innovating for Sustainability in Southeast Asia Ideathon

We co-hosted an event with Stanford’s undergraduate global entrepreneurship group, ASES, to hold an Ideathon focused on generating ideas to address challenges exacerbated by climate change in Southeast Asia. This 2-day event began with opening remarks by Mr. Lew Chuen Hong, the CEO of Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), who shared interesting insights on innovations occurring at the intersection of tech and sustainability in Southeast Asia.

We also hosted several regional and subject-matter experts, who provided Stanford students with valuable information that helped them craft context-specific solutions based on the realities in the region.

We had six student teams give final pitches to a panel of judges comprised of investors, entrepreneurs, and regional experts. Students pitched ideas ranging from a new biodegradable fishing net design, mapping flood zones to prepare for rising sea levels, and a VC fund to support local farmers. The members of the winning idea, using…