In its goal to transform urban areas into more sustainable and liveable places, SCIL provides a platform for the growth and development of these startups, encouraging collaboration and partnerships between the private sector, governments, and development partners.

"We're extremely excited to create a platform for collaboration, see these partnerships evolve, and support the implementation of innovative solutions for sustainable urban development," said Harry Federspiel, Managing Director of Programs at Seedstars.

The selected startups are tasked with tackling unique city-specific issues through their innovative solutions, which range from smart waste management to shared mobility services and beyond. Here are the shortlisted startups and their respective initiatives:

Soul Parking (Indonesia): An innovative urban parking solution that utilizes compact motorcycle storage and digital management to tackle traffic and illegal parking issues.

Cityplan (Indonesia): Revolutionizing business decision-making through location intelligence, Cityplan provides comprehensive data, analytical tools, and business consultation.

Duitin (Indonesia): An innovative waste management platform that leverages technology and informal waste sectors to offer sustainable waste management solutions.

Surplus Indonesia (Indonesia): Providing an end-to-end solution that enables local food businesses to sell their overstock product & imperfect produce, reducing food waste.

Jaramba (Indonesia): A public transport services integration platform that enhances services, reduces dependence on private vehicles, and assists in solving mobility and environmental problems.

Buangdisini (Indonesia): Offering solutions that turn waste into valuable commodities, promoting sustainable outcomes through transparency and data-driven decisions.

SMEs Pack (Indonesia): A B2B commerce aggregator export addressing supply chain problems and distribution, connecting SMEs with direct buyers.

Haupcar (Thailand): A shared mobility startup aiming to solve urban problems such as smog and transport congestion through innovative technology and carsharing solutions.

GEPP (Thailand): Providing an all-inclusive and data-driven sustainable waste management solution, ensuring customer assurance on waste journey traceability and data transparency.

ETRAN (Thailand): Designing electric motorcycles for commercial uses with a flexible financing option, aiming to regenerate a healthier environment and better living.

Developpa (Thailand): Enables users to find local places with clean air.

ila Generation (Thailand): Turning local venues into safe spaces by training staff to spot and stop harassment through their B2B mobile application, ALLY by ila.

BookMeBus (Cambodia): A platform enabling users worldwide to easily book transportation in Cambodia, promoting digital transformation in the local tourism market.

Wonderpass (Cambodia): Leading smart ticketing solution, offering a cashless, hassle-free experience to book events and attractions.

Trambellir (Malaysia): An online marketplace for wellness holidays, expanding the definition of medical tourism and democratizing the medical tourism business.

Federspiel expressed, "We've always believed in the power of entrepreneurship to drive meaningful change, and we're excited to see how these talented teams will contribute to the smart city ecosystem. It's a great step toward long-term partnerships between tech communities in high-impact markets worldwide."

The shortlisted startups will present their solutions in Sihanoukville on 4th July, Chiangmai on 11th July, and Surabaya on 18th July. This venture is part of ESCAP and Seedstars' initiative to scale sustainable smart city solutions in the Asia Pacific region, thus promoting urban sustainability and enhanced living standards.

"By involving these innovative startups, we are fast-tracking the development of our smart cities. This partnership goes beyond technological advancement; it's about improving people's lives and creating sustainable futures," added Federspiel.

To keep updated, visit the SCIL website here: https://seedsta.rs/SmartCitiesInnovation.

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ABOUT SEEDSTARS

Seedstars is a Swiss-based company with a mission to impact people’s lives in emerging markets through technology and entrepreneurship. Seedstars works with the private and public sector to implement entrepreneurial capacity-building programs in order to create jobs and fuel economic growth.

The group runs Seedstars Programs that are designed to support entrepreneurs in varying stages of growth via training, education, mentoring, and access to resources. The company also partners, operates and invests in emerging venture capital funds in emerging markets and makes direct co- and follow-on investments in their portfolio companies through Seedstars Capital. To further support the next generation of changemakers, Seedstars Academy, a talent incubator, provides digital skills and startup-based immersive education.

Through these initiatives and partnerships, Seedstars is building a world-class community and network of changemakers in over 90 emerging ecosystems. For more information, visit https://www.seedstars.com/.

ABOUT ESCAP

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The Commission promotes cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges. ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. The ESCAP secretariat supports inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development in the region by generating action-oriented knowledge, and by providing technical assistance and capacity-building services in support of national development objectives, regional agreements, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ESCAP also provides support to partners at the national level. ESCAP’s national offer is rooted in and linked with the implementation of global and regional intergovernmental frameworks, agreements, and other instruments. For more information, visit https://www.unescap.org/.

CONTACTS

Program

Pagna Ukthaun

Program & Partnerships - Asia

[email protected]

Media

Michaela Villaroman

Media Relations

[email protected].