Sparking Goodwill: GoodWhale Collaborates with BLab Singapore to Support SUTD’s Create4Good Hackathon

In a dazzling display of creativity and teamwork, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) pulled off the Create4Good Hackathon, drawing in close to 200 sharp minds from both SUTD and ESSEC. GoodWhale and BLab Singapore were delighted to contribute to this year’s hackathon, leading the Impact Ideation Workshop and adding a new dimension to the event.

 

The SUTD Hackathon pushes participants to think outside the box and come up with solutions that really hit home. What makes this hackathon stand out is the chance for participants to get up close and personal with the issues at hand, offering insights and solutions that are as real as it gets.

This year’s Create4Good Hackathon was structured into four tracks, each with a targeted problem statement to steer the participants towards impactful solutions. In the Social – End of Life Care track, teams tackled how to improve elderly care, drawing insights from a visit to Oasis@Outram. The Social – Women in Tech track focused on enhancing career guidance for women, inspired by an engagement with the Codette Project. The environmental tracks addressed crucial issues; the Reduce Food Waste track prompted ideas to cut food waste, influenced by insights from Moonbeam, while the Sustainable Food Production track explored urban agriculture solutions, spurred by a visit to Vidacity. Each track not only provided a clear direction but also connected participants with real-world contexts through corporate engagements.

B Corp Movement: Leading the Charge for Business with a Heart

A big shoutout to B Lab Singapore for being a pivotal part of this year’s hackathon. The B Corp movement is shepherded by B Lab, a nonprofit organization that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good. B Lab’s vision is to redefine success in business, so that one day all companies compete not only to be the best on the planet but also the best for the planet. The presence of B Corp at the Create4Good Hackathon brings this vision to life, inspiring participants to think critically about the role of business in society and encouraging them to innovate with purpose, empathy, and a deep sense of responsibility towards the greater good.

GoodWhale’s Impact Ideation Workshop

At the SUTD hackathon, I was eager to bring GoodWhale’s ethos to the forefront, emphasizing the importance of starting with actionable tips and accessible entry points to kickstart the ideation process. My goal was to encourage participants to focus on progress and openness, rather than striving for perfection from the get-go. By sharing our design thinking approach, I aimed to inspire a culture of continuous dialogue, inclusivity, and the willingness to embrace diverse perspectives and ideas. It was crucial to convey that the spirit of the event wasn’t about individual triumph, but about collectively nurturing the best ideas to fruition, highlighting that in the realm of innovation, it’s the strength of the idea, not the individual, that truly shines.

I must express my admiration for the incredible energy and commitmentdemonstrated by the participants. They were tasked with delivering and pitching their ideas within just two and a half days—a feat that is truly commendable. Considering that my team and I usually spend days, if not weeks, to navigate through the entire process, the participants’ ability to condense this into such a short timeframe while maintaining a high level of creativity and insight was nothing short of remarkable. This experience not only showcased their talent and determination but also highlighted the dynamic and fast-paced nature of innovation in such collaborative environments.

A Fresh Collaboration and Plenty More Ahead

The SUTD Hackathon, Create4Good (C4ghack.com) was like a big gathering where ideas, energy, and innovation just bubbled over, all thanks to the amazing teamwork between everyone involved. The workshops were first-class, and the enthusiasm levels were sky-high.

This event is more than just a one-off; it’s really starting to feel like a movement. It’s all about pushing each other to think bigger, shake things up, and work towards building a brighter future together, right here in our own backyard.

Big thanks to Daniel and Weiren from SUTD for getting B Lab Singapore, Frances, and us on board for the Impact Ideation workshop. Here’s to many more opportunities for innovation, teamwork, and making a positive impact in Singapore!

 

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