Singapore, 29 June 2016 – Singtel has today launched the Singtel Future Makers programme to help young entrepreneurs or start-ups with socially impactful ideas grow and scale their business.

Under this six-month programme, up to seven promising social impact start-ups will receive cash funding of up to S$20,000. 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.

Singtel Vice President of Group Corporate Social Responsibility, Mr Andrew Buay, said:

“Social impact start-ups want to bring about meaningful and impactful change to society. 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: “Companies can play an important role in transforming the lives of the vulnerable in our community. Through Singtel Future Makers, we want to contribute to the public’s understanding and support of social entrepreneurship, and help change makers build a more inclusive society through innovative technologies.”

Last year, Singtel was a strategic partner in the Enabling Change Social Innovation Programme, Singapore’s first social impact tech incubator programme that focused on persons with disabilities. It saw six social start-ups launch their solutions in the market after a five-month incubation programme.

These start-ups have gained much business traction and are now in the process of scaling up their businesses. Some examples include BevEat, a social enterprise that has developed applications that support persons with disabilities to manage customer orders in the F&B and retail sectors, and (these)abilities, a start-up that comes up with innovative product designs to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Application for the Singtel Future Makers ends on 14 August 2016. Candidates may find out more and submit their applications at: https://futuremakers.singtel.com.