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The group We provide long-term savings and protection products to our customers About the group

News releases

Investors View Report

ESG Creating a better future, together with you About ESG

PRUDENCE FOUNDATION The community investment arm of Prudential plc in Asia and Africa Explore

CAREERS Our pledge to you Prudential’s purpose is to help people get the most out of life. We do that for customers and employees alike. FIND OUT MORE

Eastspring Investments A global asset manager with Asia at its core, offering innovative investment solutions to meet the financial needs of clients Learn more

2019 Competition: Frequently Asked Questions

"Please note the 2019 Competition is now closed.

These are the guidelines and FAQs regarding the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards (previously known as the Disaster Technology Innovation Programme in 2019).

If your questions have not been answered below, please drop us an email at dealshare@avpn.asia. Please specify in the email subject your name and the enquiry pertaining to the Competition, for example: "Org Name_Disaster Tech_ [your enquiry].

A PDF of the competition FAQs is also available.

A. General

1. What is the context behind the competition?

Natural disasters strike fear in hearts and cause widespread damage that often takes years to recover from. Asia Pacific remains by far the region most exposed to natural disasters worldwide – a person living in the region is five times more likely to be affected by natural disasters than a person living outside the region. This has resulted in over 500,000 lives lost and 1.4 billion people affected since 2005, causing USD900 billion in economic losses.

While many governments and businesses across the region are still recovering from recent natural disasters, they are also pressed to allocate resources towards supporting rapid economic growth, urbanization and other social challenges. On a longer-term horizon, the region is also looking to address environmental issues from energy access and infrastructure, to climate risk mitigation and natural resources management.

Against this backdrop, the Disaster Tech Innovation Programme (the Programme) has been developed by Prudence Foundation in partnership with AVPN.

The programme is also in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action).

2. What is the Disaster Technology Innovation Programme?

While the issues are extensive and complex, there exists opportunities for funders and resource providers to support and build the capacity of Social Purpose Organisations (SPOs) – for-profit social enterprises or not-for-profit organisations - that aim to address the threat of Natural Disasters using “Disaster Tech”. This is defined as technology which aims to protect and save lives before, during or after natural disasters.

The Programme will be centered around a competition culminating with a showcase at AVPN Conference 2019 to engage with funders and resource providers, and its main objective is to increase the use of Disaster Tech to complement and enhance existing disaster risk reduction efforts in the region to ultimately reduce human and economic losses.

It will aim to achieve this by:
i) Raising the awareness and profile of innovative and viable Disaster Tech solutions;
ii) Provide financial and non-financial support to these organisations; and
iii) Bring together collaborators and new funders to support the scalability of this sector.

3. What is the competition? What are the prizes?

The Competition will enable SPOs involved with Disaster Tech to apply for a chance to participate in a one-day pitching event on Monday 24 June 2019 in Singapore where they stand a chance to win grants from a pool of USD 150,000. The breakdown of the award is as follows:
Winner: USD 100,000
First runners-up: USD 30,000
Second runners-up: USD 20,000

Furthermore, all finalists from the pitching event will also be invited to participate at the AVPN Conference held in the same week in Singapore from 26 to 28 June 2019. This conference is the largest of its kind in Asia and your organisation will be able to showcase your work and engage with social investors through the Deal Share Live segment.

Organisations that are not shortlisted will stand a chance to be listed on AVPN’s Deal Share Platform for follow-on support from its member network.

4. How do I apply? When are applications due? What are the key dates?

To participate, please complete this application form by 29 March 2019.

Following the review of the application forms, shortlisted applicants will then go through a video conference interview process to determine the finalists. These applicants will be informed on 3 May 2019. The video conference interviews will take place on 17 May 2019.

Once this stage has completed, the finalists will be informed by 24 May 2019 and invited to participate in the Pitching Day, which will take place in Singapore on 24 June 2019.

Finalists will also be invited to participate at the Deal Share Live session at the AVPN Conference in Singapore from 26-28 June 2019 (exact date to be confirmed). This will provide an opportunity to engage further with funders and resource providers.

We seek your understanding that while we try to notify all applicants, we may not be able to get back to all who have applied.

5. How much does it cost to enter the competition?

The Competition is free to enter.

Return flights and accommodation of the finalists invited to the Pitching Day event in Singapore will be covered. This will be limited to one person per organisation. For any additional members, applicants will need to cover these travel related costs themselves.

Furthermore, finalists will receive one ticket per organisation to attend the AVPN Conference. Tickets are not transferable.

6. Why should I apply early?

Early submissions are highly encouraged because we can still assist you if you have any questions and it gives you more time to work on your application before the final cut-off date. Incomplete submissions would not be considered. We encourage you to take a look at the list of questions before you proceed to fill up the form.

B. Eligibility

7. Who is eligible to apply?

The competition is eligible for both for-profit and not for-profit organisations, as long as your work is relevant to the theme of Disaster Tech.

8. Does my organisation need to be registered in the APAC region?

It is not necessary for your organisation to be registered in Asia-Pacific, but your work should be relevant towards resolving a disaster-related issue in the Asia-Pacific region.

9. Can I still apply if my work is active outside of Asia-Pacific?

Absolutely, but you would need to illustrate why the proposed solution is relevant to a market(s) in Asia-Pacific and how you intend to scale it in the Asia-Pacific region.

10. English is not my first language; can I answer the questions in my native language?

Currently, we only accept applications in English.

C. Evaluation

11. Who evaluates the applications? How are they evaluated?

There will be two main rounds of evaluation: 1) application and shortlisting round of finalists and; 2) Pitching Day. An external panel of judges comprising experienced social investors, business leaders, entrepreneurs and domain experts will review the applications.

The application form, presentation deck and shortlisting of finalists will be assessed on the following key criteria:

i. Social impact

The relevance of the Disaster Tech solution to the intended community;
The benefit that the community would receive and potential long-term impact to the issue

ii. Use of Technology

Technology can significantly increase the impact made;
Technology is scalable with relative ease;
Not limited to just tech organisations - includes organisations using technology to scale the impact of their efforts in disasters

iii. Feasibility and sustainability of the business / operating model

Commercial and financial viability of the business idea / operating model;
Results of pilot testing, if applicable;
For not for-profits, operating model will be assessed on how relevant the product/service will be for the intended communities and robustness of plans for ensuring sustainability

iv. Team's capability and commitment

A strong founding team, preferably with senior members with different expertise leading the operations of the organisation
Team members have successful track-record in implementation

v. Innovativeness

Creative and enterprising ideas, as well as unique aspects of the business/operating model

12. What happens to the Intellectual Property (“IP”) in my submission / products / services?

Please note that Prudence Foundation and AVPN will not be taking any ownership of or responsibility for your IP.

Furthermore, by entering the competition, you acknowledge that your organisation's name, logo, and products / services could be showcased publicly on AVPN’s, Prudence Foundation's websites and/or at the 2019 AVPN Conference in Singapore.

Meet the Programme Finalists

Judges and Partners

Competition Highlights