Singapore, May 22, 2018 — Six startups of the Alibaba Cloud-Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) Entrepreneurship Programme will pitch to venture capitalists (VC) and Angel Investors on May 25, 2018. They include companies converting coins into e-education, e-currencies, investing in livestock, designing single platform for multi-channel e-commerce, automating documentation using blockchain technology and creating blockchain e-learning courses.
These aspiring business owners, from the first two batches of the Entrepreneurship Programme, will pass the 40 credit unit module if they manage to convince any of the investors to part with their money. They also stand to receive Alibaba Cloud credits of up to USD30,000 and the best team will meet co-founder of Alibaba Group Mr Jack Ma in Hangzhou at the Alibaba Cloud Conference in October 2018.
Details of the prizes:
1. Best team: Alibaba cloud credits worth USD30,000 + 3 VIP tickets worth 1,500 USD each + 3 return flights to Hangzhou
2. 2nd best team: Alibaba cloud credits worth USD15,000
3. 3rd best team: Alibaba cloud credits worth USD5,000
4. All teams: Taobao figurine
5. Direct entry to Create@Alibaba Cloud ASEAN Finals for the winning team
6. Startup conference passes to set up booth during Alibaba Cloud conference in Singapore for the winning team
Some of the startups have already secured seed funding of as much as SGD40,000. The face-off on May 25, in front of a live audience, could mean more funding and opportunities for these ambitious business owners.
SUSS Provost Professor Tsui Kai Chong, a keen supporter of entrepreneurship among students, said: “Entrepreneurship develops a new business as well as the person. It is another way of learning.”
These are the featured startups:
1. HeyCoins
http://heycoins.com/en/
HeyCoins collects coins from the general public and converts them into the digital currency that can be used for various purposes, including e-wallets recharge, gift coupons and charitable donations. The company has secured grants from investors including DBS and Hong Kong Government.
2. Orama
http://www.orama.sg/
Orama automates shipping documentation using blockchain technology. The company has secured SGD40,000 worth of pre-seed investment.
3. CombineSell
https://combinesell.com/
CombineSell is a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that automates & simplifies multichannel e-commerce selling processes by aggregating popular online marketplaces into just a single platform. The company has secured SGD40,000 worth of pre-seed investment.
4. Livestock Rewards
https://livestockrewards.org
Livestock Rewards is a livestock investment company.
5. Institute of Blockchain Singapore
http://ibs.edu.sg/
A Blockchain and EdTech private school with course funding from SkillsFuture Singapore & NTUC’s e2i.
6. LightBeijing
https://www.lightbeijing.com/
LightBeijing brings online Mandarin tutoring to the modern day learner.
Event Schedule
3:00pm-3:30pm | Registration & Networking
3:30pm-3:45pm | Welcome Speeches by SUSS & Alibaba Cloud
3:45pm-4:15pm | Panel Discussion with Investors
4:15pm-5:15pm | Startups Pitch (Part I)
5:15pm-5:30pm | Break
5:30pm-6:15pm | Startups Pitch (Part II)
6:15pm-7:00pm | Dinner & Networking
7:00pm-7:30pm | Final Results & Prize Presentation
Tickets to the event are free of charge for SUSS students, faculty and guests. Limited slots are available for guests and visitors. Sign Up at the website below.
Backgrounder
Launched in July 2017, the programme is accredited by SUSS and run in partnership with Alibaba's cloud computing arm, Alibaba Cloud. It attracted student entrepreneurs and mentors seeking to develop the next big idea in the technology scene.
A total of 40 teams comprising 86 people applied, but only 22 teams of 45 participants were selected for the two intakes. The first intake in July 2017 took in 16 teams of 31 students; and the second intake in January 2018 selected another 6 teams of 14 students. The next intake will commence in June this year.
Apart from SUSS students, the programme is open to tertiary students aged 18 and above, and anyone who fulfils academic criteria, such as having two GCE A-level passes or 5 GCE O Levels and an interview.
There is no course fee and participants only have to pay an application fee of $64.20 (inclusive of GST). Successful candidates have access to mentorship by Alibaba Cloud, C-level industry experts and advisors.
Under the programme, the aspirants also get free access to Alibaba Cloud services, including data analytics and Web-hosting services, and can choose from more than 500 SUSS modules, such as Blockchain Technology and Smart Contract Finance and social media marketing.
For more information on SUSS entrepreneurship programmes in the link below.
