MEDIA RELEASE Trade and Connectivity Challenge 2020 - Digitalisation, the next frontier for trade connectivity - Enterprise Singapore
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MEDIA RELEASE
Trade and Connectivity Challenge 2020 – Digitalisation, the
next frontier for trade connectivity
Automation and Big Data set to uplift the industry as businesses prioritise business
continuity measures and workers’ safety post COVID-19
MR No.: 058/20
Singapore, Wednesday, 22 July 2020
1. The world’s supply chains were tested by the COVID-19 pandemic and has led to more
companies looking to innovate with digital technology to strengthen the entire supply
chain and ensure business continuity. Enterprise Singapore’s Trade and Connectivity
Challenge 2020 (TCC 2020) was launched today with corporates and industry calls for
solutions to enhance supply chain traceability by standardising processes and system
integration, provide live data tracking on asset management, and automate manual
procedures that are both labour intensive and time consuming. The demand for
innovative solutions that can be applied to global challenges, has resulted in more
corporates and marketing partners from around the world participating in this year’s
TCC.
New elements of TCC 2020
2. 13 challenge sponsors, seven more than last year, ranging from large and mid-sized
local businesses, multinational corporations (MNCs), trade associations and chambers
(TACs), and foreign corporates, are participating in this year’s TCC. TCC 2020 will also
be divided into two tracks – the industry track and the enterprise track, with challenge
statements either specific to the industry or pertaining to corporate-level issues. The 28
challenge statements focus primarily on solutions that leverage big data analytics,
automation, and sustainability post-COVID-19 efforts (refer to Annex 2 for the challenge
statements).
3. For the industry track, there will be three challenge statements championed by the
Container Depot and Logistics Association Singapore (CDAS), SATS and YCH Group,which will form part of the National Innovation Challenges (NICs). Each challenge will
receive up to S$2 million in grant support from prototype, deployment, to adoption.
Besides funding, the NICs offer commercial opportunities for solution providers by
forming good customer references for other clients facing similar challenges globally.
4. For the enterprise track, TCC 2020 offers shortlisted startups the unique opportunity to
trial and assess the effectiveness of their solutions, through paid test trials with relevant
challenge partners. This offers shortlisted startups the potential to implement and
actualise their solutions in a business setting. Likewise, TCC 2020 is mutually beneficial
to challenge partners, allowing them the chance to develop new capabilities and resolve
many of their existing challenge statements. TCC 2020’s prize purse for the enterprise
track has also been doubled to S$100,000, with the winning startup receiving S$30,000
and a fast track to SLINGSHOT 2020.
Potential of TCC 2020 as an Open Innovation Platform
5. Mr Peter Ong, Chairman, Enterprise Singapore said, “As a strategic trade and
connectivity hub, digitalisation is an excellent way to expand our trade and connectivity
frontiers. Government platforms like TCC 2020 that facilitate innovation collaboration
are timely and useful in this period when innovative startups may face fewer
opportunities to trial their solutions and build a track record. The new normal will force
corporates to accelerate the take-up of digital solutions and explore new business
models.”
6. A new challenge sponsor participating in TCC 2020, Mr Chiam Soon Chian, Chief
Operating Officer, Lumens Auto, said, “Lumens is one of the pioneer private hire
vehicles fleet operators in Singapore. We are pleased to have the opportunity to
participate in TCC 2020, which is our first participation in an open innovation initiative to
source for innovation. We believe that digitalisation is the way forward, and are
committed to invest in this future. We hope to find technologies and solutions that will
not only improve our company’s service offerings, but also hold the potential to be
exported regionally.”
7. Moovaz, a startup in the relocation business that develops the world’s first platform for
international moving and relocation, also a winner of the TCC last year, shared how they
have benefitted from the challenge last year. Mr Lee Junxian, CEO and co-founder said,
“As a startup, we have benefited immensely by participating in TCC last year. We gained
industry insights from partners, and from the gruelling tenacity of the competition itself.
Page 2 of 12Winning the competition has been a humbling experience, and it showed us how vibrant
the ecosystem is with so many other innovative technologies presented. We have
formed very strong partnerships owing to TCC and encourage fellow startups in the
region to participate."
8. TCC 2020 is co-organised with IPI, a subsidiary of ESG that catalyses and enables
enterprises to grow their business through innovation. The call for entries under the
enterprise track will close on 15 September 2020, while entries under the industry track
will close on 1 October 2020. Interested parties can apply by submitting an application
on https://tradeandconnectivity.innovation-challenge.sg.
Annex 1: Keynote Speech by Mr Peter Ong, Chairman, Enterprise Singapore at Trade
and Connectivity Challenge 2020 (TCC 2020) Launch Event
Annex 2: TCC 2020 Challenge Statements
Get your story leads from Enterprise Singapore’s Facebook (@enterpriseSG), LinkedIn and
YouTube.
-End-
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Fazilah Latif
Corporate Communications, Enterprise Singapore
E : fazilah_latif@enterprisesg.gov.sg
____________________________________________________________________
About Enterprise Singapore
Enterprise Singapore (ESG) is the government agency championing enterprise
development. We work with committed companies to build capabilities, innovate and
internationalise.
We also support the growth of Singapore as a hub for global trading and startups, and build
trust in Singapore’s products and services through quality and standards.
Visit www.enterprisesg.gov.sg for more information.
Page 3 of 12ANNEX 1
KEYNOTE SPEECH BY MR PETER ONG, CHAIRMAN,
ENTERPRISE SINGAPORE
TRADE AND CONNECTIVITY CHALLENGE 2020 (TCC 2020) LAUNCH EVENT
22 JULY 2020, WEDNESDAY, 3.00PM-4.30PM, ZOOM WEBINAR
INTRODUCTION
1. Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us today at this virtual launch of the Trade and
Connectivity Challenge 2020, also known as TCC 2020. We are all still in the thick of the global
crisis of our generation. This pandemic has battered economies, exposed vulnerabilities in
business models, and disrupted global supply chains. Many have lost their jobs and
livelihoods.
2. These uncertain times have resulted in accelerated attempts by corporates to stay
agile and adopt new innovative measures to ride out the current economic challenges.
Businesses have proven that when faced with insurmountable odds, ingenuity can yield
innovative results. I am certain that the current crisis is, and will be no exception.
DIGITALISATION OF TRADE WILL ENABLE A SEAMLESS EXCHANGE OF GOODS IN
THE WAKE OF DISRUPTION OF SUPPLY CHAINS FROM COVID-19
3. Singapore’s success as a strategic trade hub has always been driven by our strong
regional networks and connectivity. In the last few months, many companies have accelerated
the take-up of digital solutions to adapt to the new normal and to explore new sources of
demand. This shift enables companies to gain insights from the data collected, ensure stability
through informed decision making, and allows them to move quickly beyond survival mode
and to build competitive businesses.
4. I am heartened by the growing interest of local companies, especially SMEs which are
traditionally more resistant to change, to pivot into new market segments and business
models. Some of the more adventurous SMEs are seeking to diversify their risks from
traditional markets and product types in order to increase their resilience to external shocks.
5. For example, Lumens Auto, a local fleet operator in the traditional car leasing business
recently participated in an ESG-organised virtual tech sourcing mission to Israel. During the
Page 4 of 12mission, Lumens Auto was able to connect with innovative Israeli startups in the transport &
logistics space. I am also glad to share that following the successful virtual business mission,
Lumens Auto has decided to join TCC 2020 as a challenger sponsor. This showcases their
determination and interest to be at the forefront of innovation-related activities.
PLATFORMS SUCH AS TCC CAN HELP ACCELERATE THE GROWTH OF INNOVATION
IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
6. Against the backdrop of a global downturn, startups and their innovative solutions will
play an important role in helping corporates tackle challenges, adapt and explore growth
opportunities amidst an otherwise dismal demand outlook. As engines of innovation, many
successful startups have emerged over the years to disrupt whole industries with their
innovative solutions. However, many of them face multiple roadblocks to their growth. This
could often include a lack of access to both financing support and industry data or platforms
to help test out their solutions. On the other hand, corporates, have established extensive
pricing and data knowledge, and built up a wealth of networks.
7. Therefore by partnering corporates, startups could potentially be exposed to more
opportunities to testbed the effectiveness of their innovative solutions and build up a stronger
track record. At the same time, corporates can also learn from startups to develop new
capabilities and find solutions to their existing problems. In Singapore, we have seen many
examples of successful startup-corporate partnerships which have brought both parties to new
heights.
8. One example is F-Drones, a local drone startup under the second cohort of PortXL
Singapore’s accelerator program. F-Drones proposed new ways to provide ship-to-shore
deliveries. Capitalising on their innovative drone technologies, it was able to successfully
conduct aerial deliveries for maritime companies such as Bernhard Schulte and Eastern
Pacific Shipping. Items that were delivered include 3D printed parts, vitamins, and bunker
samples. Besides allowing these companies to better manage their labour costs, such critical
solutions were contactless and helped them adhere to social distancing measures
9. Against such uncertain times, Government platforms such as TCC are timely and
useful. As an open innovation platform, TCC seeks to bring together global startups with
corporates from across the aviation, maritime, mobility, logistics and trade sectors to address
on-the-ground operational needs and challenges.
Page 5 of 1210. The future of trade and connectivity will change radically as new technologies and
digital solutions continue to evolve and develop. Having doubled the number of challenge
sponsors to 13 partners, TCC 2020 has close to 30 challenge statements focusing on
digitalisation and use of technology in areas such as Internet-of-Things (IoT), Big Data,
Blockchain, Sustainability and post-Covid-19 sustainability efforts.
11. This year’s challenge has been enhanced to reflect the Government’s push to cement
Singapore’s stance on encouraging innovation and building resilient enterprises. First, we
have launched a new track – the industry track – to invite corporates and Trade Associations
and Chambers to explore solutions that have the potential to be scaled for industry-wide
applications. The Container Depot & Logistics Association (Singapore), also known as CDAS,
is seeking innovative solutions to reduce the time and reliance on manual labour for the
container inspection process. Second, the added emphasis and commitment from local and
foreign corporates in this initiative. I am heartened that each of the 12 participating corporates
have agreed to conduct at least one trial per challenge statement raised on a paid contract
basis. Third, we have enlisted the help of 37 strong marketing partners across 5 continents to
ensure that we get best in class solutions across a global network.
12. In total, TCC 2020 will offer many opportunities for startups globally to testbed their
solutions and build a strong track record. To incentivise and reward outstanding submissions,
we have also doubled the total prize pool for the enterprise track to S$100k. For the industry
track, we are also offering project co-funding grant monies of up to S$2 million for eligible
entities for the prototype, development, and subsequently adoption of the solution.
NATIONAL INNOVATION CHALLENGES (NICs) UNDERSCORES GOVERNMENT’S
COMMITMENT TOWARDS INNOVATIVE ENTERPRISES AND A NEW WAVE OF
ENTREPRENEURS
13. Today’s launch of TCC is an example of how the Government and industries can
collaborate to grow the strength of our local enterprises. I note that TCC 2020 is the first of a
series of challenges that is released under the wider National Innovation Challenges (NICs).
The NICs initiative was announced by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Heng Swee Keat at the
Fortitude Budget. It is aimed at accelerating industry-led innovation calls to help companies
build resilience and emerge stronger in the post-COVID era.
14. ESG, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the National Research
Foundation Singapore (NRF) have come together to lead these national efforts that will benefit
Page 6 of 12industries and enterprises at scale. A sum of S$40 million has been set aside for the NICs.
SMEs and startups will also be encouraged to collaborate with IHLs/RIs and others to develop
and commercialise solutions that solve these market needs. It is hoped that many of these
solutions can subsequently be exported overseas.
15. The NICs is a continuation of existing demand-led open innovation efforts from ESG’s
Gov-PACT programme, IMDA’s Open Innovation Platform (OIP) and the Open Innovation
Network jointly managed by ESG and IMDA. To date, these combined innovation efforts have
spawned over 250 challenge statements for more than 37,000 innovators globally. Over S$13
million have been provided in project funding and prize monies across 80 projects.
16. One example is the National Environment Agency (NEA)-led challenge where a local
startup Gaussian Robotics is developing an autonomous sweeper that can clean a multi-storey
facility by operating the lifts, and sweep and patrol different floors remotely. The solution will
be trialed by the People’s Association (PA) at their community and lifestyle hub –
Heartbeat@Bedok in August 2020.
17. Besides TCC 2020, the other challenges launched today under the NICs seek to
address issues related to the safe reopening of workplaces, the construction industry, as well
as the tourism and MICE sectors.
18. As the government agency championing enterprise development and innovation in
Singapore, ESG will continue to encourage companies to innovate, embrace new
technologies and form new strategic partnerships. We will continue to facilitate this digital
transformation by supporting testbedding opportunities for commercialisation through the
establishment of sandbox environments. ESG remains determined to anchor Singapore as
the innovation hub for the region and we welcome innovative solutions and talents from all
over the world to join our flourishing local startup ecosystem.
CONCLUSION
19. Once again, I will like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to all of our partners
who have enabled this challenge to become a reality. Through our collective efforts, I am
confident that we can embrace the paradigm shifts needed in a post-COVID-19 world with
renewed confidence. With that, I would like to wish you all a fruitful time today and to declare
the TCC 2020 open. Thank you.
Page 7 of 12ANNEX 2
TCC 2020 Challenge Statements
Industry Track
S/N Problem Owners Theme Challenge Statement
1. Container Depot & Automated Inspection How might we reduce the time taken
Logistics Association of Shipping and the reliance on manual labour to
of Singapore Containers at improve productivity for the container
(CDAS) Container Depots inspection process, and eliminate risky
activities such as working at height?
2. SATS Ltd Tagging solution for How might we develop a cost-effective
Airfreight Shipments – common tagging solution for the
Industry Use of Air Singapore airfreight industry to track
Waybill (AWB) and trace air cargo and provide visibility
Label/Tags to at each stage of the handling process
Replace Normal (e.g. warehouse handling, arrival, uplift
Printed AWB Label onto aircraft)?
3. YCH Group A Solution which How do we integrate a cost-effective
Allows for the and user-friendly AI/ML-enabled
Management and resource management and planning
Dynamic Allocation of solution which enables measurement
Resources in a Post- and optimisation of productivity with
COVID-19 Work regard to manpower and equipment
Setting utilisation? This solution should cater to
post-COVID 19 work settings, where
operations has to factor in Business
Continuity Planning (BCP)
requirements, social distancing and
workforce segregation.
Enterprise Track
S/N Problem Owners Theme Challenge Statement
4. Continental Synthetic Visual Data How might we use synthetic data
Automotive Generation for generation to obtain video and image
Singapore Pte Ltd Machine Learning data simulating the behaviour of
human drivers for machine learning AI
algorithm development to reduce the
difficulties and costs associated with
manual recording of video and image
data of human drivers?
5. Tristar Group IoT Platform to extract A completely pioneering and innovative
Real-Time Data, IoT platform that can extract real-time
automatically transfer data for condition based and predictive
the data ashore where maintenance of equipment on board
AI will be used to merchant marine vessels and
highlight anomalies automatically diagnose machinery
and allow condition problems. This is to reduce the current
and predictive dependence and reliance on manual
Page 8 of 12maintenance instead analysis and intervention. The solution
of time or running hour should improve reliability and
based maintenance operational efficiency, reduce fuel
consumption/carbon footprint, as well
as maintain a comprehensive record of
the vessel operational history in one
data base, which can be shared with
the various stakeholders involved in its
operation.
6. Global eTrade Collaboration to How might we leverage on blockchain
Services Disrupt Global Trade and digital assets to improve the
Financing via existing cloud-based, machine
Blockchain and Digital learning, AI trade financing platform?
Asset
7. Seeking Instant How can we incorporate an instant
Messaging messaging communication component
Communication with security and encryption features
Component for into our existing platform to allow for
Existing Platform for more efficient and seamless
Users communication between users?
8. Lumens Auto Reduce Accident How can we use in-car camera
Rates Among Drivers footage, GPS data for data analytics
and/or any other technological solution
to formulate a solution to reduce
accident rates among drivers?
9. Nursultan Automated Real-Time How can we create an automated
Nazarbayev System to Track software system, with API features, to
Foundation Inventory of Special monitor and track the real-time
Clothing for Mining inventory of special clothing for
Employees miners?
10. Pacific International Dynamic Optimisation How can we create an optimised
Lines of Bunker Utilisation/ bunker purchase recommendation
Procurement system that actively monitors bunker
prices in real-time, taking into
consideration existing bunker inventory
and utilisation to recommend bunker
purchases, reducing the present
inefficient method of bunker purchase?
11. Automate Updating of How can we develop a software
New Customs solution that is able to pluck existing
Document Formats electronic shipment details and
automatically transfer it to port
customs’ documents, catering to the
requirements of each port’s customs
form?
12. Image Recognition for How can we create an image
Container Damage recognition system that automatically
Page 9 of 12Assessment and assesses and indexes damages to
Repair Verification containers and proposes repair plans
to reduce the current reliance on
manual labour for verification and
assessment of container damage?
13. SATS Ltd Digitalising of Cargo How can we digitalise the cargo
Handling Process handling process to allow for
monitoring and real-time tracking of
shipments while integrating it with
existing IT systems?
14. Real Time Tracking of How can we develop an automated
cargo containers and system that accounts for real-time
Non-Motorised inventory tracking of cargo containers
Equipment (NME) and NMEs to provide real time
tracking?
15. Real Time Visibility of How can we create a solution that
Cargo in Warehouse allows real-time track and trace of air
cargo movement in the warehouse?
16. Enhance Air Cargo How can we develop a data analytics
Transhipment Process model that will facilitate optimisation
Through Data and consolidation of inbound and
Analytics outbound shipments in order to
enhance cargo flow and make
Singapore an ideal air cargo
transhipment hub?
17. Implementing AI for How might we implement a chatbot
Customer Support equipped with AI and machine learning
Chatbot capabilities to handle common system
issues on a 24/7 basis to enhance the
user experience and response time?
18. Singapore Post Enhanced Last Mile How might we implement an
Delivery through automated solution that can reduce
Letterbox human error and eliminate inaccurate
Enhancement or last-mile postal delivery by using
Wearable Technology wearable devices and/or hardware
attached to letterboxes?
19. Improve Mail Security How might we implement a system that
Using Track & Trace can track and trace ordinary mail
Technologies deliveries to prevent loss or theft of
ordinary mail items?
20. Sumitomo Optimise Offline How might we develop a solution that
Corporation Asia Marketing Using Data is able to analyse existing data and
and Oceania Analytics collect new data to identify potential
high value customers to optimise
offline marketing efforts for targeted
advertising?
Page 10 of 1221. Implementing Artificial How might we develop a chatbot
Intelligence (AI) for equipped with AI capabilities to handle
Customer Support common text and speech-to-text
Chatbot customer queries, to free up human
resources to handle more difficult
queries in order to optimise manpower
resources and the customer
experience?
22. Supply Chain How might we create a dashboard
Management Platform platform that integrates with existing IT
for Suppliers systems, allowing suppliers to actively
manage their stocks and improve their
supply chain processes?
23. Automation of Mapping How might we come up with a system
Supplier Product Data that automatically maps and
into Categories categorises the goods received from
suppliers to improve the accuracy of
data and reduce the current time and
reliance on manual labour?
24. Automated Pricing How might we formulate an automated
Optimisation for e- solution that can crawl for online and
Commerce Companies offline pricing data with API integration,
for e-commerce companies that
operate in Indonesia, so as to enable
them to price their goods competitively
due to a current lack of identifying traits
for goods in Indonesia?
25. Tech-Link Storage Adapting to safe How might we develop an all-in-one
Engineering working processes application/platform that is able to
post-COVID-19 catalogue, capture, and store data on
employees’ daily work-related tasks
that combines COVID-19 and work
safety requirements?
26. Teckwah Value To Automate Multiple How can we automate the current
Chain Pte Ltd Manual Processes in turnkey kitting process - leveraging on
the Turnkey Kitting flexible yet integrated modular
Process capabilities - to cater to different
product configurations, improve output
and efficiency, and reduce reliance on
human labour?
27. YCH Group Improve Efficiency in How might we develop a system that
Scanning Carton can capture and sort the data from
Labels goods in cartons in Excel in an
effective and efficient manner to
reduce the time required to scan carton
labels?
Page 11 of 1228. Technology solution to How might we develop a solution that
address inventory addresses inventory overflow during
overflow peak periods, such as through
Platform for on- predictive monitoring of goods flow or
demand warehousing the creation of a platform that offers
to manage inventory access on-demand warehousing for
overflow excess goods?
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