Singtel launches ‘Future Makers’ to help social entrepreneurs

• Seven promising startups to receive cash funding of up to US$15K
• Access to mentoring and coaching support, commercialisation opportunities

SINGAPORE Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel) has launched the Singtel Future Makers programme that it said was to help young entrepreneurs or startups with socially impactful ideas grow and scale their business.
 
Under the six-month programme, up to seven promising social impact startups will receive cash funding of up to S$20,000 (about US$15,000).
 
Successful candidates will also gain access to other non-monetary benefits which include business workshops, mentoring and coaching support from industry experts, networking opportunities, as well as commercialisation opportunities with Singtel and its regional mobile associates, the telco said in a statement.
 
“Social impact startups want to bring about meaningful and impactful change to society,” said Singtel vice president of Group Corporate Social Responsibility Andrew Buay.
 
“However, roadblocks in funding support, lack of experience in commercialising business ideas sustainably, and missed partnership opportunities, can often hamstring even the best idea.
 
“Through Singtel Future Makers, we want to play a part to help them turn their ideas into reality,” he added.
 
Last year, Singtel was a strategic partner in the Enabling Change Social Innovation Programme, Singapore’s first social impact tech incubator that focused on persons with disabilities. It saw six social startups launch their solutions in the market after a five-month incubation programme.
 
These startups include BevEat, a social enterprise that has developed applications that support persons with disabilities to manage customer orders in the F&B (food and beverage) and retail sectors; and (these)abilities, a startup that comes up with innovative product designs to improve the lives of people with disabilities (pic above).
 
Application for the Singtel Future Makers programme ends on Aug 14. Candidates may find out more and submit their applications here.
 
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