Kipin Edutech, Stick’Em, and Dive Analytics claimed the top awards at the inaugural Temasek Foundation Education Challenge, an event aimed at transforming educational tools for teachers across Southeast Asia (SEA). Held at EduTech Asia and co-organized by EdTech accelerator EduSpaze and Temasek Foundation, the competition drew over 250 applications from more than 60 countries, underscoring a global interest in tackling educational hurdles through technology.

Digital Tools for Education Access

• Kipin Edutech, the competition’s grand prize winner, was celebrated for its digital transformation tool, designed to help schools establish an online presence in minutes — even without internet access. The platform promises to enhance educational opportunities in underserved, remote areas, addressing a critical need in SEA, which faces a projected teacher shortage of 4.5 million, according to UNESCO’s 2024 Global Report on Teachers.
• Stick’Em, the first runner-up, offers cost-effective, hands-on STEAM education kits and an online platform, empowering schools to independently launch STEAM programs at a fraction of the usual cost. This approach democratizes access to essential 21st-century skills, especially in areas where such resources are limited.
• Dive Analytics, the second runner-up, provides a productivity suite designed to streamline administrative processes for K-12 schools while also offering data-driven insights into student well-being. The tool has earned recognition from Singapore’s Ministry of Education, aligning with the region’s growing focus on holistic student care.

The winners received a total of S$90,000 in grants, along with market access trips to SEA countries to pilot their solutions. As an additional prize, Kipin Edutech will attend the Global EdTech Startup Awards (GESAwards) 2024 boot camp and Bett London in January 2025, providing a global stage for its work.

“At Temasek Foundation, we recognise that education is a key enabler to uplift communities,” said Ng Boon Heong, Executive Director and CEO of Temasek Foundation. “Our catalytic funding supporting the winning solutions seeks to help these innovators test out their innovations in addressing teaching challenges in relevant SEA markets, to unlock further opportunities to scale in SEA.”

Amazon Web Services (AWS), a Tech for Good partner, supported the competition by offering cloud credits worth up to S$500,000 for the finalists. AWS highlighted its commitment to supporting EdTech solutions that enhance access to quality education through the use of cloud and GenAI.

“We stand ready to provide Edtech innovators with the power of cloud and the latest GenAI to power their mission-driven solutions and increase access to quality education,” said Ashley Tan, International Head of Social Impact & Sustainability at AWS.