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Hong Kong’s Biggest PropTech Contest – “Green PropTech Innovator Challenge” Gives Young Leaders a Platform to Turn Ideas Into Ventures

Co-organised by Y.X Community and HKPTA, it’s Hong Kong’s biggest proptech competition featuring over 50 guest speakers, POC partners, investors and mentors from globally-renowned multinational companies and offering additional funding to develop pitches even during the semi-final.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 1 March 2023 – Y.X Community, a collaborative network for students to enhance their overall well-being and unleash their potential, and the Hong Kong PropTech Association (“HKPTA”) is launching a new competition to find Hong Kong’s green proptech champions and help them transform their ideas into profitable ventures. Called Green PropTech Innovator Challenge, it invites all Hong Kong’s higher education students and student-founded early-stage startups to propose their proptech solutions that address the theme “Reducing the Carbon Footprint.” The Challenge is supported by leading corporates with UOB as the Diamond Sponsor. AEW, Cathay United Bank, China CITIC Bank International Limited and OCBC Wing Hang Bank as Gold Sponsors.

Green PropTech Innovator Challenge is the biggest and first competition of its kind in Hong Kong to create an end-to-end platform for turning ideas into potential ventures. The three-stage competition brings together over 50 guest speakers, proof-of-concept (POC) partners, investors and mentors, such as MTR Corporation Limited, Chinachem Group, Wang On Properties, LAWSGROUP, Gammon Construction, and Great Eagle Group. It offers an ideal opportunity for students to gain first-hand and practical lessons and test their ideas. See Appendix for the complete list of mentors and POC partner organisations.

Funding support begins right after stage 1. The ten finalists will have HK$10,000 each to develop their presentation further and test their prototype for stages 2 and 3. A total of HK$100,000 awaits the final three winners who successfully present their ideas in front of the judges. After stage 3, the winners will get a chance to test their proof-of-concept further at the access point provided by POC partners, co-working space to work on projects and meet potential investors, and the opportunity to pitch for pre-seed funding from Hong Kong’s leading developers and angel investors.

“We strongly believe in the creativity and innovativeness of our students when it comes to solving global issues, in this case, reducing the carbon footprint. After all, it is a problem that the next generation will more keenly feel. The Green PropTech Innovator Challenge offers students the training, comprehensive mentorship advice, valuable access to investors and funding they need to get their ideas from sketch to POC and even transforms into practical solutions. Essentially, it offers a complete journey for future sustainability leaders,” said Nick Lo, CEO of Crystal Properties Development Ltd.

“Over the years, Hong Kong has seen many ideas from young sustainability champions. It is also home to the largest property and construction industry players and investors. This competition closes the gap between ideation and production by bringing both communities together. It allows participants to finetune their ideas and presentations with PropTech mentors, develop and refine their prototypes and minimal viable products with investor funding, and then move into production with the help of Hong Kong’s industry leaders,” said Vivian Chan, Founding President of HKPTA.

Competition details

The Challenge is open for submission from 1 March 2023 until the end of April 2023. For application or enquiries please visit https://bit.ly/3EHQhsg.

It has five categories:

  • Carbon Tech: This category is in-building energy-efficient equipment, appliances, and other tangible ideas to reduce carbon emissions for zero-carbon building or climate-positive initiatives. Potential solutions include those for reducing, reusing, recycling or removing carbon emissions.
  • Smart and Green Building: Solutions for efficient and innovative use of resources through automation and minimising emissions and energy costs using remote maintenance fall under this category. They can include in-building smart systems and those for meeting green building certifications, such as BEAM and LEED.
  • Construction Tech: This category focuses on the construction industry. Solutions can include innovative green construction tools, machinery, modifications, software, etc. Solutions can include those using robotics and augmented reality (AR) for designing, innovative structural items that improve heat insulation and 3-D printed recycled construction materials.
  • Waste Reduction: Technology that helps reduce or eliminate building waste and create self-sustaining buildings will fall under this category. Solutions can include waste monitoring, recycling, and upcycling tech, and better resource management systems.
  • Other Green Solutions: This last category is for solutions that reduce carbon footprint but do not fall into any of the above categories.

All candidates will go through a 3-stage judging process.

Stage 1: Candidates to apply online at https://bit.ly/3EHQhsg. Upon enrollment, candidates will receive a link for submitting a proposal online. See below for details. A knowledge-sharing seminar and a tour of Sino Inno Lab will also guide the candidates in creating their proposals. 10 submissions will be shortlisted for the next stage.

Stage 2: The 10 finalists will be paired with mentors from leading companies. HK$10,000 will be offered to each finalist to develop their pitch deck with their mentors further, create a prototype, and test it.

Stage 3: All 10 finalists pitch their proposals to a judging panel of leading practitioners and academic leaders. Submissions will be judged on genuine creativity and innovation, ease of use, functionality, commercial value, and social impact. The panel will choose the champion, the first and second runners-up.

Prizes and post-competition support

The first prize is HK$50,000, the second is HK$30,000, and the third is HK$20,000.

The competition does not end at the end of stage 3. Y.X Community and HKPTA will promote the video highlights of the three winners, exhibit the proposals at a press conference, and invite POC partners to validate the proposals.

The winners will also have the opportunity to pitch and connect with up to five investors and potentially secure up to HK$1,000,000 in angel-led pre-seed funding. They can also use the workspaces at Y83 to meet investors and potential clients and further develop their solutions.

Proposal submission and more info

The Green PropTech Innovator Challenge is open for submission from 1 March 2023 until the end of April 2023. Interested candidates can now apply online or find more details at https://bit.ly/3EHQhsg.

Appendix

POC Partners and Mentors information

POC partners – to provide access point for proof-of-concept testing:

Asia Allied Infrastructure, Baguio iRecycle, CHI International, Chinachem Group, Chuang’s Group, Crystal Investment, Gammon Construction, Great Eagle Group, Hengli Investments Holding Group, KaiLong, Lan Kwai Fong Group, LAWSGROUP, MTR Corporation Limited, SOCAM Development, Wang On Properties

(in alphabetical order of organisations)

Mentors – to offer one-on-one guidance for proposal/prototype development:

(in alphabetical order of surname)

CH Chung,
Head of Property Management, Hong Kong
Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL)
Harvey Cheung,
Partner
Ernst & Young Advisory Services
Du Yong-Hai,
General Manager, Green Innovation Division
Hong Kong Productivity Council
Francois Lee,
CEO
B4B Challenge
Katherine Kwan,
Principle Product Lead
CLP Holdings
Grace Kwok,
Chairman and Executive Director
Allied Sustainability and Environmental Consultants
Lianne Lam,
CEO and Founder
Hong Kong Sustainable Society
Philip Law,
Partner
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Kevin Lee,
Head of Smart Facilities Management
SOCAM Development
Stanley Tang,
Executive Director
Bright Intelligent Construction
Dr Raymond Wong,
General Manager
Baguio iRecycle


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Y.X Community

Y.X Community is a collaborative network, as part of its dedicated commitment to supporting our younger generation to realise their dreams and make the world a better place to live.

We are here to enhance students’ overall well-being and empower them to learn, realise their potential and contribute to society for a good cause.

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About HKPTA
HKPTA creates a collaborative ecosystem that brings together property developers, investors, and emerging PropTech startups.

The association is committed to encouraging technology-enabled solutions to improve our lives and the environment and integrating the adoption of sustainable strategies that follow the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).

Website:
LinkedIn:

Thailand-US Cobra Gold Military Exercises Resume at Pre-pandemic Size

In this photo released by Royal Thai Army, Thailand Chief of Defence Forces General Chalermpol Srisawasdi, left, shakes hands with Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command Admiral John Aquilino, during opening ceremony of Cobra Gold 2023 in Rayong Province Thailand, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. Thai and U.S. officials presided over the opening ceremony Tuesday of Cobra Gold 2023, one of the biggest joint multilateral military exercises in the world that pulls together the security interests of the United States and six Asian nations. (Royal Thai Army via AP)
In this photo released by Royal Thai Army, Thailand Chief of Defence Forces General Chalermpol Srisawasdi, left, shakes hands with Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command Admiral John Aquilino, during opening ceremony of Cobra Gold 2023 in Rayong Province Thailand, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. Thai and U.S. officials presided over the opening ceremony Tuesday of Cobra Gold 2023, one of the biggest joint multilateral military exercises in the world that pulls together the security interests of the United States and six Asian nations. (Royal Thai Army via AP)

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai and US officials officially opened annual Cobra Gold multinational military exercises on Tuesday, now restored to one of the world’s largest following three years of sharp pandemic cutbacks, reinforcing the security alliances of the United States and six Asian nations.

Ke Huy Quan, Cara Delevingne and Angela Bassett Shine in De Beers Jewellers at The 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards

LOS ANGELES, US – Media OutReach – 28 February 2023 – De Beers Jewellers natural and responsibly sourced diamonds dazzled on nominees and actors Ke Huy Quan, Angela Bassett, and Cara Delevingne at the 29th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, honouring the finest achievements of filmmaking and television.

From left to right: Angela Bassett, Cara Delevingne and Ke Huy Quan in De Beers Jewellers

From left to right: Angela Bassett, Cara Delevingne and Ke Huy Quan in De Beers Jewellers

Key Huy Quan shined in striking Ascending Shadows brooch from The Alchemist of Light High Jewellery collection featuring a 2.70 carat oval fancy grey central diamond set in striking blue aluminium as he made history as the first Asian male to win a SAG award in film for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

Angela Bassett, nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, was radiant in Talisman High Jewellery drop earrings and matching ring featuring rough and polished fancy yellow and white diamonds complementing her vibrant yellow gown.

Making her first SAG Award appearance as a nominee for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, Cara Delevingne, shined in Midnight Aura necklace from The Alchemist of Light High Jewellery collection, featuring a 20.57 carat pear shaped diamond, and matching diamond stud earrings.

Hashtag: #DeBeers #DeBeersHK #naturaldiamonds

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About De Beers Jewellers

Founded in London, with a flagship store on Old Bond Street and a presence in the most exclusive locations around the world, De Beers Jewellers is the pinnacle of luxury diamond jewellery. Building on De Beers’ 130 years of expertise, the House glorifies the world’s most beautiful diamonds through creativity and craftsmanship in bold, distinctive designs.

De Beers is invested in ensuring all the diamonds it discovers create a lasting positive impact for people and the places where they are found. This comes with a pledge to build a better future – one that is fairer, safer, cleaner and healthier, in which communities thrive, ethical practices are maintained, and the natural environment is protected. We call this long-term commitment Building Forever.

De Beers Jewellers has 37 stores globally and ships to 15 markets via debeers.com.

FB: @DeBeers
IG: @debeersofficial

“It’s about your products. Not ours.” – Packaging machine specialist ROVEMA invites to “Customized Experiences” at its Hessian headquarters

The mechanical engineering company ROVEMA is planning a series of customized customer events for various sectors of the food industry in 2023. The events will take place at the company’s headquarters in Fernwald, Germany.

FERNWALD, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 28 February 2023 – “It’s about your products. Not ours.” – with this motto ROVEMA, the German specialist for packaging machines and sustainable packaging solutions starts a series of events in spring 2023 individually adapted to different sectors of the food industry.

Rovema_CustomizedExp_rightRovema2023 (1).jpg

ROVEMA Customized Experience, Key Visual, Event at Rovema Headquarters in Fernwald, Coffee, Sustainable packaging of coffee, Sustainability, Photographer Sönke Schmidt

The guests will be offered intensive personal advice and support from ROVEMA’s Packaging Experts, live demonstrations as well as specific industry lectures and presentations on topics such as sustainable packaging or product protection.

ROVEMA Customized Experience, Key Visual, Event at Rovema Headquarters in Fernwald, Coffee, Sustainable packaging of coffee, Sustainability, Photographer Sönke Schmidt

ROVEMA Customized Experience, Key Visual, Event at Rovema Headquarters in Fernwald, Coffee, Sustainable packaging of coffee, Sustainability, Photographer Sönke Schmidt

Christoph Gusenleitner, CEO of ROVEMA, comments: “We invite our customers of today and tomorrow to discover and experience our customized solutions for sustainable packaging. What makes ROVEMA special are our individually adaptable machines, our special application know-how and our expertise in the field of sustainability. In our Experience Center at our headquarters this can be presented and understood in the most impressive way.”

With Customized Experiences, ROVEMA emphasizes that the company puts customers and their needs first: “We also focus on our customers and their specific product requirements. Our goal is to be at their disposal with all our know-how, which is why we’re rethinking traditional trade show participation and will no longer be exhibiting at Interpack, for example. Instead, we will offer our own highly concentrated and effective events directly on our premises with our Customized Experiences, which are individually tailored to the needs of our customers,” says CSO Florian Lude.

The series will kick off in March 2023 with an event for the coffee sector. Other events, including those for the confectionery and powder industries, are planned for 2023.

Interested parties from the respective industries can register for the event at rovema-experience.com.

Hashtag: #ROVEMA

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About ROVEMA:

With more than 60 years of experience, ROVEMA develops packaging systems that meet the complex requirements of modern recycling management. ROVEMA thinks holistically and sustainably. The specific requirements of the customers and their products are at the center of ROVEMA’s development of efficient and sustainable packaging machines. A successful concept – ROVEMA has delivered more than 30,000 machines and lines worldwide.

Thailand Bans Tipsy Tubing Following Viral Video

Thailand Bans Tipsy Tubing Following Viral Video

Thailand has banned drunken tubing activities along the Pai River in Mae Hong Sonprovince after a video of tourists enjoying the activity went viral.

Lao Government Bonds Sell Out Like Hotcakes on First Day

People waited to purchase government bonds on Tuesday. ( Photo: Vilaysack Soulichanh).

Government bonds at commercial banks across Laos sold out in just a few hours after the government announced they would go on sale today.

Crypto Sets Higher Standards for Proof of Reserves for Traditional Finance: Bybit CEO

  • The new norms after 2022: crypto exchanges have set a high bar in transparency with 100% verifiable proof of reserves
  • DEXs form an important part of a healthy ecosystem by supporting medium and long-term traders
  • Bybit has a calling as a CEX: delivering seamless integration into Web3 for everyday users

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Media OutReach – 28 February 2023 – The future of the crypto industry is one step closer to its full potential, now trust and transparency is at the forefront, said Bybit CEO Ben Zhou. According to Zhou, technology will lead the way in restoring trust in crypto, and legitimate exchanges have what it takes to outperform traditional financial institutions in terms of transparency.

Speaking as part of a panel discussion at Blockchain Life 2023 in Dubai on Monday, Zhou proposed leveraging the open nature and real-time verification that decentralized technology offers. Blockchain is part of the solution, and crypto-native solutions can help armor the financial industry against traditional and new forms of fraud risk. He noted that crypto exchanges are able to offer real-time, verifiable proof of reserves, which is far and above the transparency traditionally offered by financial institutions.

Bybit is committed to managing user funds with the utmost transparency and integrity, which is why it has real-time proof of reserves with a purpose-built Merkle Tree. Users can use their Merkle Leaf code to check that their assets are recorded as liabilities in Bybit’s on-chain wallets down to the granular details.

For Zhou, this kind of technology — powered by blockchain — is the real solution to the constant news of malfeasance in the crypto and wider financial sector. The new industry norm of proof of reserves can offer users more peace of mind and visibility into exchanges’ assets, and this has tilted the conventional power dynamics between the customers and financial service providers, he said.

Zhou went on to talk about the role of crypto exchanges as the industry moves forward from a challenging 2022. While security considerations are a given, Zhou revealed why CEXs are still preferred by serious traders: deep liquidity and powerful infrastructure with millisecond precision.

Referring to institutional clients and professional traders, Zhou said that “centralized exchanges are pretty much their only choice simply because of the liquidity. And you simply can’t do high frequency trading on a decentralized exchange (DEX) due to infrastructure limitations.” However, Zhou suggested that those interested in medium-to-long term trades could consider DEXs as an option.

“Our role — and that of any centralized exchange — is to be ready for mass adoption and be the gateway to Web3 when it happens. So, I still believe in the industry,” Zhou added. “In two years, you will see signs of mass adoption. Your uncles, your aunties, your cousins will all start to use crypto,” he said.

More from Bybit

Hashtag: #Bybit #TheCryptoArk #NextLevelMeetUp

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Bybit

Bybit is a cryptocurrency exchange established in 2018 that offers a professional platform where crypto traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, excellent customer service and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One’s reigning Constructors’ and Drivers’ champions, the Oracle Red Bull Racing team, esports teams NAVI, Astralis, Alliance, Made in Brazil (MIBR), and Oracle Red Bull Racing Esports, and association football (soccer) team Borussia Dortmund.

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Pakse to Build Wastewater Treatment Facility Worth USD 2.1 Million

Pakse Building USD 6 Million Waste Treatment Plant
Water Inlet in Wastewater Treatment Plants ( Photo : pepperl-fuchs )

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) held a groundbreaking ceremony last week to build four decentralized wastewater treatment plants and a city-level excrement treatment facility in Pakse City, Champasack that would benefit around 9,000 people.