The prize, inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s ‘moonshot’ speech, will award a million dollars to teams that can make the most impactful, technological breakthroughs in areas like health, climate change, energy and education in an accelerated timeframe. The winning teams will be given a five-year grant to bring their ideas to market, and they will also receive expert mentoring from global leaders to help them realise the commercial potential of their innovations.
The awards are organised by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority and will be held in partnership with the World Economic Forum on Asia. Other partners include the MIT Enterprise Forum, Global Initiative for Academic Leadership and the National Research Council of Singapore.
In addition to the grand prize of S$200,000, a total of 10 finalists will each win $100,000 in seed money and mentoring from leading industry experts. The winners will be announced in April 2023 and will work closely with the judging panel to develop a full business plan for their idea.
This year’s shortlist includes a book on the life of an average family, which eschews the view that history is only about the stories of big movers and shakers, as well as a memoir by a woman who grew up in one of Singapore’s most interesting parts of town. Other works on the list include Home Is Where We Are, which chronicles the legacy of a couple that created one of Asia’s biggest lotteries; and Sembawang, which looks at life in an estate over five decades.
Singapore is a small but highly developed country that has built a reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship. The city-state has a high proportion of migrants, many from Asia and Africa, and it is also home to some of the most specialised medical and educational institutions in the region. It has a strong commitment to sustainability, which is reflected in its green buildings and strict recycling regulations. The nation is also one of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems and has the highest biodiversity density in the region.
The prize is open to all secondary school students in the Republic of Singapore. Participants must be nominated by their teacher and must submit a written essay. The essays should be clear, concise and compelling, and demonstrate that the student has an in-depth understanding of Singapore’s history and culture. The winner will be presented with a trophy and S$20,000 in cash, and the runner-up will receive S$10,000. The top ten will also be awarded S$5,000 each. More information is available on the prize’s website.