What's Involved
Interactive learning opportunities with circular economy experts and industry leaders
An innovation competition for students to find scalable, circular solutions for problems on or near campus*
Developing the competencies and in-demand skills for this emerging economy
*Students of participating universities are welcome to register as individuals to participate and learn from our programme toolkit, workshops and webinars, even if they do not intend to join a team for the competition.
Timeline
April 3
SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR INNOVATION COMPETITION
To enter the competition, student teams must complete the competition submission form by this date.
March 4
STUDENT REGISTRATION CLOSES
Students and recent alumni of the participating universities (aged 18+) must submit the programme registration form by this date.
March 7 - 31
PROGRAMME CONTENT DELIVERY
Registered participants will receive invitations to attend our circular innovation workshops and webinars, and gain access to programme materials.
April 12 - 19
PITCH PREPARATION WEEK
The shortlisted teams will receive support in crafting their pitch for the competition finals event.
February - Early March
PROGRAMME REGISTRATION OPENS
Participating universities promote the programme on campus to students, faculty and staff.
April 4 - 11
SHORTLISTING OF SUBMISSIONS
Participating universities and the Circular Cities Asia team will review the submissions and shortlist 12 teams to pitch at the competition finals event.
April 11
SHORTLISTED TEAMS ANNOUNCED
We will announce the shortlisted teams and email them with next steps to prepare for the competition finals event.
April 21
INNOVATION COMPETITION FINALS EVENT
The finalists pitch their circular ideas to the jury, and by the end of the virtual event the winners of the boot camp prize will be announced!
Innovation Competition Prizes
Innovation Boot Camp run by ClimateLaunchpad trainer, Shiva Susarla
For the top 3 teams chosen by the competition judges, plus 2 wild cards chosen by the RENERGii team
Topics covered in this intensive Boot Camp include: circular economy innovation, customer discovery and validation, market sizing and segmentation, unique value proposition, business financials, and circular business impact
Incubation with the RENERGii venture studio with seed funding
RENERGii will choose 2 teams to incubate (who participated in the Boot Camp)
RENERGii will provide 3-month virtual incubation support for two teams and help with refining their business model, design and development of a minimal viable product (MVP), networking and partnership-building, and investment readiness. RENERGii may also discuss deeper co-creation possibilities beyond the three month time frame.
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Each team will receive $2500 USD of seed funding during the incubation.
Participating Universities
Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia
Bataan Peninsula State University, Philippines
De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Philippines
University of the Philippines, Mindanao
Central Philippine University, College of Engineering
University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines
JK Lakshmipat University, India
Adamas University, India
Quest International University Perak, Malaysia
National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia & Vietnam
Academy of Policy and Development, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, Vietnam
Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Massey University, New Zealand
*We are no longer accepting universities into the Mar-Apr cohort.
If you're interested in bringing this programme to your university, get in touch to register for the September 2022 cohort.
We’ll introduce you to our approach to circularity in the urban context — combining circular economy principles, lean innovation, design thinking, and systems thinking to foster new ideas and solutions that reimagine university campuses as ecologically sustainable, highly liveable and resilient ecosystems.
Programme Sessions
Introducing the Circular Economy & Circular Cities Asia’s Framework
MAR 7, 2022
11am-12pm PKT / 2-3pm SGT / 7-8pm NZT
There’s an urgent need to reimagine how our key urban systems can be regenerative, rather than exploitative; how new urban products, solutions and services can be created to keep materials and nutrients at their highest possible value; and how pollution can be designed out to close our waste loops. In other words, how can our cities become more circular, less wasteful and more sustainable — leading to better health and quality of life for its residents? Circular innovation holds the key!
This webinar will introduce circular economy principles, highlight the interdisciplinary nature of circular innovation, and give an overview of the Circular Cities Asia Framework, which identifies three main attributes of a circular city/campus: performance-driven, nutrient-aware and nature-inspired.
Inclusive Design for Startups
by Elena Messiou (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lecturer, DEI Consultant and ClimateLaunchpad Trainer)
MAR 9, 2022
2-3pm PKT / 5-6pm SGT / 10-11pm NZT
In this webinar we will be exploring how you can make inclusion a source of innovation, specifically by zooming on inclusive design methods and how to remedy exclusion. You will learn how to recognise exclusion in the objects, services, and policies that we create and the environments that we inhabit. After this interactive session you will be able to recognise mismatches and exclusions in design, check your own assumptions and biases, and develop a more inclusive approach towards design and innovation.
Circular Innovation Workshop 1: Problem Identification
by Shiva Susarla (Founder of CCAsia and RENERGii) & Alysha Magtuto (Incubation Manager)
MAR 14, 2022
11am-1pm PKT / 2-4pm SGT / 7-9pm NZT
The Problem Identification workshop focuses on uncovering and investigating challenges that exist on or near university campuses. We’ll guide participants through the process of identifying a problem on or near campus, understanding the key stakeholders and processes involved, gathering meaningful data from potential users/customers about their pain points, and interpreting findings to figure out if it’s a problem worth solving.
Value Proposition Canvas
by Vittorio Lepre (Venture Partner at RENERGii)
AVAILABLE WEEK OF MAR 14, 2022
*pre-recorded webinar*
In this Value Proposition Canvas video, you’ll learn ways to identify the pains of your customer/user, their major “jobs to be done”, and what they’ll gain from having their problem solved. Vittorio will provide insight into how you can build a valuable offering that creates gains for your customers/users while also relieving their pain points.
Business Model Canvas
by Vittorio Lepre (Venture Partner at RENERGii)
AVAILABLE WEEK OF MAR 21, 2022
*pre-recorded webinar*
In this Business Model Canvas video, you’ll learn about each building block of the canvas and the process of mapping out your business model. Vittorio will walk you through the right questions to ask when putting together the canvas and the importance of keeping it as a living document.
Circular Innovation Workshop 2: Ideation
by Shiva Susarla (Founder of CCAsia and RENERGii) & Makesense Philippines: Danielle Molina (Community Manager) & Alysha Magtuto (Incubation Manager)
MAR 23, 2022
11am-1pm PKT / 2-4pm SGT / 7-9pm NZT
The Ideation workshop focuses on the ‘what if’ or ‘what could be the future’. Participants will take all of the inspiration and knowledge they gained from the problem discovery phase, and come up with a circular solution that could be implemented on or near campus. We’ll guide participants through an ideation process that includes brainstorming, conceptualising circular ideas and making the business case for their solution.
Fireside Chat with Cleantech Startup Founders
Cquestr8 and Carbonamics;
Moderated by Kelly Chung (Senior Associate of Network Development at The Incubation Network)
MAR 31, 2022
11am-12pm PKT / 2-3pm SGT / 7-8pm NZT
During this fireside chat participants will hear from startups who participated in ClimateLaunchpad, the world’s largest green business ideas competition. The founders will share their experience as early stage startups in the cleantech industry and the opportunities that exist for young people in this space.
Insights Into the Future of Work
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by Richard McClellan (Senior Advisor at RMAC Advisory)
APR 4, 2022
11am-12pm PKT / 2-3pm SGT / 7-8pm NZT
In this webinar, we’ll explore the future of work in the context of industry 4.0, with a specific focus on ASEAN. How are jobs likely to change? What skills will be required in the future? Richard will share his thoughts on the changing landscape of the job market and provide insights from an Asian Development Bank report series which he contributed to (Reaping the Benefits of Industry 4.0 Through Skills Development).
Pitch Workshop
(For Competition Finalists)
by Nhan Nguyen (Associate Lecturer, School of Business & Management at RMIT University Vietnam)
APR 13, 2022
12:30-2:30pm PKT / 3:30-5:30pm SGT / 8:30-10:30pm NZT
During the workshop, teams will gain a deeper understanding about pitching and learn practical pitch formatting and delivery tips. Part of the session will be dedicated to an interactive activity, where teams will practice presenting to the group.
Circular Innovation Competition Finals Event
Hosted by Circular Cities Asia
APR 21, 2022
1-3:30pm PKT / 4-6:30pm SGT / 9-11:30pm NZT
The teams shortlisted for the finals will pitch their circular ideas and have a live Q&A session with the jury. By the end of the virtual event winners of the boot camp prize will be announced!
Meet the Speakers & Facilitators
Shiva Susarla
RENERGii Asia / Circular Cities Asia
Shiva is the Founder of Circular Cities Asia and RENERGii, a venture studio and innovation firm. He has a deep passion for building and scaling ideas through urban circular economy principles and lean innovation. Shiva is also an Edmund Hillary Fellow and ClimateLaunchpad trainer. with over 11 years of experience in cleantech, circular economy innovation and investments.
Elena Messiou
Consultant
Elena is an innovation and entrepreneurship lecturer, a startup trainer for the ClimateLaunchpad global startup competition and a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion consultant, helping companies, educational institutions, and non profit organisations develop, launch and improve their DEI initiatives. She has lived and worked in Europe, the US, Africa and Asia (where she founded two business in Hong Kong) and currently calls Amsterdam home.
Alysha Magtuto
Makesense Philippines
Alysha is the Incubation Manager of Makesense Philippines and the project lead of NOYPI 2025, a coalition building and citizen mobilization program in the Philippines that aims to create alternatives to single use plastics and sachets. They are an experienced startup coach and have mentored idea-stage innovators concerned with urbanization, economic literacy, and governance. Their main areas of expertise are marketing, exploring and creating business models, community building, and storytelling.
Danielle Molina
Makesense Philippines
Dani is a Community Manager for Makesense working as an advocate for health equity and social impact. She currently manages the Health4All Coalition led by Makesense. Through this collaborative platform, she brings together national government departments, foundations, social enterprises, and people's organizations to address access to healthcare for the underprivileged. She coordinates the coalition’s actions on community development through the Imagining Healthy Futures program that empowers young health leaders in developing grassroots health initiatives and innovations.
Jerry Joynson
Cquestr8
Jerry is Cofounder and Director of Cquestr8 Ltd, a company developing a nature mimicking carbon sequestration process to help address the climate crisis. A Chemical Engineer, Jerry has worked 30 years in the oil industry engaged in all manner of technology innovations. He was a partner at a successful start-up providing high-value plant performance improvements in the 1990’s. Jerry was Technology Development Director at $5B company for almost a decade until 2016. Since then, he has been seeking solutions to the climate crisis. Jerry’s passion is in finding value in the juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated ideas.
Vittorio Lepre
RENERGii Asia
Vittorio Lepre is a startup enthusiast and passionate about improving people's lives with impactful products and services. He was a startupper in Italy for half of his career, and subsequently, he achieved an MBA at SDA Bocconi in Milan. He now leads the product development of digital platforms for the startup portfolio owned by the Venture studio Renergii in Singapore. Proud promoter of Agile and Lean, he believes in the strength of such methodologies even outside their traditional application environments.
Ryan Lim
Carbonamics
After Ryan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering last 2021, he entered the startup and corporate world to explore his passion for sustainability and clean energy. Now he is a co-founder of Carbonamics, a clean energy startup that was the first Philippine-based startup to reach the global semifinals at the 2021 ClimateLaunchpad competition. Ryan is also a Sustainability Associate at SGV & Co. where he helps tackle issues related to ESG. He is based in Metro Manila, Philippines and you can talk to him about almost anything.
Richard McClellan
RMAC Advisory
Rich is a seasoned policy and strategy consultant with experience in economic development, sustainability, infrastructure, program development, and project management. Since 2015 Rich has worked independently or in partnership with other firms—for instance, as a Senior Expert to McKinsey, as a part-time executive of an organizational development firm, and as a strategy professor at a top university. He currently resides with his family in Vietnam, where he works on development, ESG, and strategy projects for organizations like the World Economic Forum, Asian Development Bank, USAID, UNDP, GIZ, and others on topics at the intersection of private and public sectors, such as Future Skills, Industry 4.0, startup ecosystems, circular economy, climate change mitigation, plastic waste, etc.
Adrian Syliangco
Carbonamics
Adrian is a venture capital professional that specializes in financial analysis, venture strategy, business planning, and deals. Passionate about startups and entrepreneur empowerment since his undergraduate years, he began his career as a Management Trainee in UnionBank, one of the most innovative banks in the Philippines. He eventually moved on to the venture capital space as an associate focusing on deals, and due diligence. These experiences eventually led him to become a venture builder, seeking to establish impact driven startups in the Philippines. At present, he is currently a board member in a social commerce startup called KITA, and the current CEO of Carbonamics, a climate technology startup. He graduated from Ateneo De Manila University with a degree in Management Economics. Adrian has passed the level 1 exam of the CFA program.
Kelly Chung
The Incubation Network
Kelly is the Senior Associate of Network Development team at The Incubation Network. Kelly works closely with entrepreneur support organizations, SMEs and startups from across SSEA to develop and scale impactful solutions to combat ocean plastic pollution. Kelly's passion for a sustainable inclusive future and experience championing social entrepreneurship drive her to create positive change by optimizing and integrating cross-cutting systems and synergies in the community.
Nhan Nguyen
RMIT Vietnam
Mr. Nhan Nguyen has been volunteering his time and championing environmental awareness in Vietnam since 2006. Since that time, he has started or been involved in numerous environment-related projects. He is a co-founder of Vietnam Clean & Green, an organisation that is dedicated to raising awareness about the negative impacts of littering in Vietnam. Additionally, he is a core member of the Vietnam Zero Waste Alliance, a grassroots group of individuals and organisations actively promoting the practice of zero waste in Vietnam. Most recently, he is founder of Refill, an innovative product delivery concept that beat out 159 teams to win the UNDP’s Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (EPPIC) competition in January 2021. Aside from his volunteer work, Nhan’s full-time job is at RMIT University Vietnam, where he has worked since 2003 in a variety of roles in both Academic and Administrative departments. As an academic, Nhan has delivered courses in Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Management and Tourism/Hospitality Bachelor Degree Programs.
Organiser
Sponsors
Programme Designers:
Suzanna Pomeroy, Platform Director
Roleen Sevillena, Programme Manager
University Partners
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Programme Partners
