PROGRAM
Smart Cities Innovation Lab
Supporting smart city startups located in Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia
About the program
Smart Cities Innovation Lab (SCIL) is now calling for applicants from Asia Pacific with regional focus in Cambodia, Thailand, or Indonesia. Selected startups will have the opportunity to partner with municipal governments to roll out their innovative and smart solutions.
SCIL is launched by UNESCAP in partnership with Seedstars , and supported by the Government of China, as a platform to scale up short and long-term sustainable smart city solutions through the collaborative interactions and partnerships that bring together municipal governments, entrepreneurs, technology companies, and development actors. The program is launched in three South East Asia cities: Chiangmai, Thailand; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Surabaya; Indonesia.
For more information visit: here
Selected startups
Selected startups: details
Key Activities
- Smart Cities Workshop: Relevant applicants will be invited to join 3 Smart Cities Virtual Workshop sessions led by Shannon Kalayanamitr, our smart city expert, and the 5G Catalyst Technologies team.
- Matchmaking & Networking Event: Up to 18 applicants will be invited to join an onsite Matchmaking & Networking event at their chosen city (Chiangmai, Sihanoukville, or Surabaya) to do a live pitching and to discuss their proof-of-concept and pilot testing potentials with the city representatives.
- Proof-of-Concept(PoC) or Pilot Testing with City: After the Matchmaking & Networking event, up to 2 participants per city will be selected to launch a PoC or Pilot testing with the city, provided a grant and support from the Seedstars and UNESCAP team.
Criteria
This application is open to startups and entrepreneurs in Asia Pacific, with operations or focus in the targeted countries: Cambodia, Thailand, or Indonesia.
Apply if:
-You already have a product or service that is ready for a Proof-of-Concept or Pilot testing
- You are a Smart Cities startup working on one of the following theme:
- Enhancing mobility infrastructure for inclusive accessibility
- Improving the natural environment for a high standard of living
- Advancing industry and nurturing innovation
- Advancing civic and social development
- Improving health and well-being in a smart city
- Robust digital infrastructure and applications through data security
- Urban Management
- Improving Tourism
Program Timeline
Program Timeline: details
Application Period
26 February - 3 April, 2023
Smart City Workshop:
(Date to be annouced)
Networking and Matchmaking Event:
June 2023 (date to be annouced)
Pilot Discussion, Planning, & Agreement
1 July - 1 September, 2023
Program Benefits
- An opportunity to roll out a Proof-of-Concept or a Pilot with one of SCIL's partner cities (Chiangmai, Sihanoukville, or Surabaya) based on your regional focus
- A grant to support pilot roll out
- An opportunity to explores long-term partnership with SCIL’s partner cities after the pilot roll out
- Smart cities workshops and 1:1 mentorship sessions with industry leader and expert
- Pilot discussion and planning supports from Seedstars and ESCAP team
- Local Media exposure and features on Seedstars & ESCAP social media platforms
Program Background
Program Background: details
"A Smart City is [a city] where technologies seamlessly support more efficient work-life-play-learn opportunities for every individual in an inclusive manner, fuel greater economic growth and facilitate the creation of sustainable living environments in cities."
The Asia-Pacific region is rapidly urbanising. Predictably, the region will become mostly urban within the next decades. Within South East Asia, urban areas are currently home to one third of the population, but two thirds of its economic activities. Rapid urbanisation fuels economic growth, but also comes with sustainability challenges related to air pollution, waste management and climate change, particularly when infrastructure and services fall behind, or become outdated in modern societies.
Therefore, governments are increasingly turning to technology to manage and monitor their cities and support urban efficiencies.
With innovation occurring at pace, powerful new technologies are redefining the ways cities operate and people live, work, play and learn. Smart City solutions touch upon every aspect of urban life, using technology to enhance people's lived experience
