Eight start-ups from the UK, Singapore, US, Japan, Estonia and France were selected from 1,500 submissions across more than 100 countries to compete in the ninth edition of The Liveability Challenge (TLC) final on May 20 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore [1, 2].
Launched in 2018, TLC focuses on sustainability challenges specific to tropical cities. This year’s competition targets two themes: decarbonisation and cool earth, addressing carbon emissions reduction and climate adaptation in vulnerable regions [1, 2].
Two winners—one per theme—will each receive $1 million in grants from Temasek Foundation. Additionally, the top two decarbonisation solutions will receive funding of up to $1 million each from research agency A*STAR, representing the largest funding injection in TLC’s history [1, 2].
The total funding available at the final is up to $4 million. Since its launch, TLC has shortlisted and supported 54 start-ups globally, deploying over $16 million in grant funding to date [1, 2].
Two finalists are Singapore-based: Metha8, which develops methanol-to-power generation, and FlueVault, focusing on low-cost carbon capture and storage technologies [1, 2]. TLC is presented by Temasek Foundation and organised by Singapore-based Eco-Business media [1, 2].
Meaghan See, Chief Commercial Officer of Eco-Business, said, "While global politics remain divided, the urgency of the climate crisis continues to intensify, with rising temperatures and increasing climate-related disasters" [1]. She added that as companies innovate solutions, "governments, financiers and corporates must now match this ambition with sustained support to scale these solutions and see them to fruition," especially in tropical regions [2].
The finalists will pitch to judges and stakeholders on May 20, with winners announced during the event at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre [1, 2].
