Quote from Heatman on October 29, 2023, 11:32 am

Crypto.com announced today the kickoff of its inaugural APAC Hackathon. The Hackathon, which is supported by academic partners Singapore Management University and Melbourne Business School, invites participants across APAC to submit ideas that apply Web3 and A.I.-powered solutions to address the most critical areas of need in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 

“Helping to foster innovation and the talent pipeline are key components to our commitment at Crypto.com of effectively and responsibly advancing Web3,” said Prash Pandit, Senior Vice President, Product and Innovation at Crypto.com. “We are tremendously excited to launch our APAC Hackathon programme, and to do so in partnership with such esteemed institutions of higher learning in Singapore Management University and Melbourne Business School. We look forward to reviewing submissions from across the APAC region and helping advance conceptual ideas to an exciting reality.”

 

The Hackathon aims to promote responsible innovation in the space of Web3 and AI to solve these critical global sustainability issues, with guidance and insights from the academic experts in Singapore Management University and Melbourne Business School. Through this strategic initiative and partnership, Crypto.com commits to further strengthen the thought leadership and talent pipeline in Singapore, and further elevate Singapore status as the global hub for responsible innovation in Web3 and AI.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a blueprint to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030. Now at the midpoint in the journey to 2030, Crypto.com is aligning the problem statements of its APAC Hackathon to the SDGs that require the most support at this time. Specifically, participants are encouraged to focus submissions on Goal 4 of Quality Education, Goal 8 of Decent Work and Economic Growth or Goal 13 of Climate Action. 

 

Registration for the Hackathon opens today, September 14, and is available to individual or team participants based in APAC and above 18 years of age. Interested participants have until 23:59 UTC on September 29 to submit concept proposals for selection. Following the proposal submission period, 12 participants will be selected to advance their proposals as finalists to the incubation programme of the Hackathon. As part of the four-week incubation programme, finalists will be assigned a Crypto.com mentor and participate in technical masterclasses across a range of Web3 and A.I. topics to support the design and development of their concept. The Hackathon will then culminate on November 14 during Singapore FinTech Festival week. All finalists will receive complimentary tickets to the Singapore FinTech Festival, as well as 1st prize winner receiving USD $20,000; 2nd prize finalist receiving USD $10,000; 3rd prize finalist receiving USD $5,000; and all remaining finalists receiving USD $1,000.

 

“The convergence of AI and Web3 is a precursor to a new technology era,” said Hau Koh Foo, Director of SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship. “Therefore, it’s crucial to prepare the next generation of young talents to harness the power of these disruptive technologies, and mould their mindset to utilise them for the benefit all of humanity. This hackathon is a significant way for students, youths, and enthusiasts to learn about these emerging technologies, how they can be used to make a positive impact on the world, and be part of the next generation of changemakers.”

 

“As an ambassador for Melbourne Business School, I am delighted to participate in the launch of our APAC Hackathon program hosted by Crypto.com,” said Nadia Massoud, Professor of Finance at Melbourne Business School. “This initiative strongly resonates with MBS’ mission to foster innovation and nurture a vibrant talent ecosystem. In collaboration with esteemed partners, Crypto.com and Singapore Management University, we are excited to present this special program. We eagerly anticipate receiving outstanding submissions from throughout the APAC region and translating groundbreaking ideas into thrilling realities through the utilization of advanced technologies like Web3 and AI.”