The SIA AppChallenge is back for its sixth edition and it’s looking for the biggest breakthroughs in travel technology to solve six key pain points. The deadline for entries is July 12.
The AppChallenge is one of the initiatives from the airline seeking to build its relationships and networks with startups from all around the world. This year’s six themes challenge startups to consider the following questions:
- Seamless Travel Experience – How can we automate the process of identifying damaged baggage? How can we manage in-cabin baggage to ensure a smooth boarding experience? How can we re-imagine a customer’s life onboard Vistara flights? How can we use technology to reduce catering waste and automate the inflight delivery of pre-ordered meals?
- People and Operations – How can we use gamification to assess the suitability of candidates for Cabin Crew roles? How can we leverage intuitive digital tools to assist engineers in pre-departure activities?
- Beyond Travel – How can we enable new shopping experiences at physical touchpoints through personal mobile devices?
- Travelling in the New Norm – How can we build robust capabilities that address customers’ concerns on their health and safety across their travel journey, both on ground and in flight?
- New Business Opportunities – How can we leverage SIA’s assets and global brand to launch new products, services and businesses that are adjacent to and complement our core business?
- Sustainability – How can we develop new approaches to broaden our sustainability initiatives?
“This challenge is an opportunity for startups at the forefront of innovation to work with the world’s leading airline and be part of the driving force in changing the way we travel,” the company said in a released statement.
Following the submissions round, selected startups will be invited to pitch their solutions virtually to SIA, Scoot and Vistara business teams, and incorporate feedback from the session.
Shortlisted participants will then enter the “prototyping round” – where they will be required to build or fine-tune their product, in preparation for their pitch to SIA. Participants will receive weekly virtual mentoring from SIA and NUS Enterprise to guide them in their prototyping.
Lastly, finalists will be invited to pitch to Singapore Airlines senior management and top executives in October. Solutions with business potential will be fast-tracked into the SIA Accelerator Programme, where startups will build a proof-of-concept of their solution with Singapore Airlines.
Up to five startups from the Grand Finale round will fast-track implementing their solutions through the SIA Accelerator Programme and will:
- Participate in a 10-week programme to implement their solution through a proof-of-concept
- Be matched with a dedicated SIA business mentor and NUS advisor to co-develop their solution
- Gain access to Singapore Airlines and key partners’ APIs
- Access a workspace and facilities at Singapore Airlines Digital Innovation Lab, KrisLab
- Receive funding Support
The AppChallenge is open pre-seed to Series A startups worldwide. Apply here. Deadline: July 12.
WiT is proud to be a Singapore Airlines AppChallenge media partner.
