SINGAPORE: Global smart device brand Oppo has announced the five winning proposals of the 2023 Oppo Inspiration Challenge, following the completion of its global final demo event here yesterday.
They were selected from among 15 finalists by a panel of judges comprising members of the Oppo Research Institute and investment department, and experts from Temasek International, GSMA, Fidelity International and XNode.
The proposals were evaluated based on four criteria - feasibility, innovation and originality, long-term potential and social values.
The winning proposals are Bluepha Co Ltd (China), Woola (Estonia), Aiverest (China), SkiteLight (China) and Orbit (US).
Each received a US$50,000 grant plus opportunities to further develop their ideas in collaboration with Oppo and its partners.
These teams will go on to engage in further collaboration with Oppo and its partners to bring their ideas to life.
This year's Inspiration Challenge saw entrants submit proposals in two categories, namely "Inspiration for People" and "Inspiration for the Planet".
Each is aimed at identifying powerful solutions that support Oppo's belief in "virtuous innovation," according to Jason Liao, president of OPPO Research Institute.
People's Choice awards were given to the 3D interactive platform and Flint Paper Battery in the "Inspiration for People" and "Inspiration for the Planet" categories respectively.
Flint Paper Battery and Impulse (nonsurgical hearing aid) also received Media Choice awards.
The 15 finalists were chosen from 687 proposals submitted by teams based in 66 countries and regions worldwide, he said.
The competition was initiated by the OPPO Research Institute and supported by Qualcomm, GSMA 5G IN, Amazon Web Services and LinkedIn.
"Following five months of extensive evaluation, we have seen many innovative and cutting-edge solutions to a number of critical but overlooked social issues raised by start-ups from around the world.
"Together, through the Inspiration Challenge, we look forward to working with these teams to bring the power of virtuous innovation to all corners of the world," said Liao.
Meanwhile, Oppo collaborated with six startup teams from this year and last year to showcase their cutting-edge products and prototypes at the Global Final Demo Event.
Bluepha collaborated with Oppo to develop environmentally friendly mobile phone packaging as well as biodegradable art installations that highlight both the lightness and flexibility of Oppo's foldable smartphones and environmental commitment.
Woola demonstrated its recycled wool packaging for the Oppo Watch.
TangTang Quan, one of last year's Inspiration Challenge winners, showcased the results of its collaboration with Oppo, promoting a blood glucose monitoring function for the Oppo Watch 4 Pro that allows diabetes patients to monitor their blood glucose levels in real time using a customised smart watch interface.
Oppo also collaborated with Deloitte China this year to launch an acceleration camp prior to the global final demo event.
During the camp, experts from the Oppo Research Institute joined members of its software, hardware, investment, universities and research, IoT departments, and industry experts from Deloitte to engage in discussions with the 15 finalists and provide advice on technology, industry trends, and the business prospects of their proposals.