About the Award

We believe that the urban social challenges in many Asian cities are quite alike (e.g. ageing population, environmental degradation and poverty), these pressing problems need to be solved immediately, and whenever the traditional model does not satisfy the needs of the society, innovations are demanded. It is time for City Re-think!

Everyone can take a first step to kick start an innovative and sustainable business solution to improve the city we live in.

Asia Social Innovation Award (ASIA) was launched in 2008 and aims to promote social entrepreneurship and business 2.0 concepts in Asia through a social innovation idea competition. The Award provides a platform for idea-stage entrepreneurs to kick start projects through cross-country networking and expertise exchanges.

How to start?

• Start From a Business Solution and Think Social
• Choose an urban issue that you are most concerned about and committed to tackle.
• Think of a business idea that can address the urban issue, either by creating a new social start-up or by incorporating the social solutions in an existing business.

The Award Structure

The Award consists of three phases:

1st Phase: Local Region Competition

Winner will be selected from submissions in each region including Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Other Asia for “Best Social Start-up Idea” award in their respective region.

2nd Phase: Coaching in CVC Entrepreneurs’ Lab

The regional winners of “Best Social Start-up Idea” will be invited to Hong Kong for a social startup weekend on 17-19 February, 2017, they will have the opportunity to sharpen their idea and business model through coaching from the social start-up workshop.

3nd Phase: Asia Region Competition

One grand final winner will be selected from Pitch Day for Grand Award of Social Innovator 2016..

Awards

1. Best Social Start-up Idea
An awardee each for Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Other Asia region, and compete for the Grand Award of Social Innovator 2016.
Grand Award of Social Innovator 2016
2. The best of Social Start-up idea in Asia.
3. Best Multimedia Award (Hong Kong Regional Only)
4. The Best idea presented in multimedia format.
The “Best Multimedia Award” for the best idea presented in multimedia format among the HK entries. It is more focusing on the presentation quality of the video quality, the technical and communication skill.

Prizes

HK$2,000 (~US$250) each award winner. Additional HK$4,000 (~US$500) for Grand Award of Social Innovator 2016.
Social Start-up weekend in Hong Kong on 17-19 February 2017.
Coaching in Social Start-up Workshop
Hong Kong winners: One-year membership in the “House of Social Innovators” to meet professional firm partners to seek for support in their projects.
Asia winners: Complimentary trip from Asian countries1 to Hong Kong for social start-up weekend on 17-19 February 2017. 

Deadline: 30 November 2016