Lyna Mohammad
Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd (BSM) initiated the BSM Disrupt programme, providing a platform for BSM to collaborate with new business partners.
BSM conceptualised a hackathon programme two years ago to create a platform that benefits BSM and support innovative businesses by technopreneurs.
With the objectives of crowdsourcing ideas on solving a problem or improving a current service within the BSM’s sphere of influence, the platform targets start-ups and businesses with at least a minimum viable product (MVP) and a proven operation track record.
This year, three teams made it to the top three and may well be part of the business partnership pending on what they have to offer BSM as the programme has always been about building new partnerships with new businesses to solve the company’s day to day challenges and improve customers’ experience.
The idea behind the programme’s winner, Tebalik Plastik, was to set up plastic collection hubs for BSM’s lubricant containers at retail stations.
“Tebalik Plastik hopes that a partnership will come to fruition in making the idea into reality,” said Founder Syahmi Zulfadhli.
A possible collaboration with the other finalists was also discussed to create a more robust recycling experience.
Syahmi shared Tebalik Plastik have a penchant for creation.
“We address the plastic crisis by giving second life to post-consumer plastic,” he said.
Currently, the company’s product is the imperfect coaster, based on a quote, “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly”, by Anne Marie Bonneau also known as the zero waste chef.
The material is 100 per cent locally sourced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) post-consumer plastic from small businesses and individuals and it is handmade.
Taking pride in being a ‘Made in Brunei’ product, Syahmi said with a purchase of the coaster, “Customers play a hand in preventing 30 grammes of plastic from ending up in Brunei’s landfill”.
Moving forward, Tebalik Plastik is working on establishing collection hubs within the Brunei-Muara and Belait districts.
“Within the first half of next year, we will acquire machines that will improve our operation’s efficiency in processing post-consumer plastic and to allow us to extend our catalogue outside of just coasters.”
Syafiq hoped to have their first studio, which will function as a plastic recycling community centre. He hoped that the centre will provide a safe space to collaborate, share and create.
He plans to establish a Plastik Realiti education programme to educate on plastic types, plastic pollution and ways to recycle plastic in the second half of 2023.
As for now, with the limited items they have, Tebalik Plastik is just penetrating into the online market through its Instagram account and pop-up events.
“Our company’s main drive stems from the lack of resources and outlets to recycle plastic in the country. We are aware that there is a zero-waste movement to reduce plastic pollution in the Sultanate and we are here to play a part.”
First runner-up, Recap shared that the programme has been a great opportunity, allowed them and other start-ups to showcase their capabilities and ideas, which can contribute to Brunei’s digital roadmap.
Established in 2017, Recap’s vision is to shift the digital ecosystem towards meaningful impact and growth through the development and management of digital talent.
A portion of car owners are uninformed on how to properly maintain their cars, and this includes when to service, the best products to use and where to get them, said Recap’s spokesperson Hani Khadizah.
Recap aspires to make up for what is lack through digital methods – and when they saw the lack of awareness in car services and products among the citizens, it was the perfect opportunity to come up with their concept: Azurite.
The ‘brain’ behind the design process is based on a concept from a book on building habit-forming products and the team’s research on Brunei’s market and habits.
Essentially, Azurite is a community group and rewards programme for loyal and active consumers. This digital platform is designed to create value for the consumers, distributors and workshops by digitally connecting them. With Azurite, drivers and car owners will be guaranteed on-demand consultations regarding their car.
Currently, the product is in its ideation and product analysis stage and by the end of next year, it should be ready to use by those in the automobile industry.
“Our plan is to gather more information through market research and ensure Azurite has the best user experience. We aspire to fuel Brunei’s future digitally.”
Second runner-up Tag Technologies’s Aamirul Aqlan said, “We believe that change is inevitable and it is for the good.
“The next big change is the wave of digitalisation and we believe that Brunei must get on top of this trend as soon as possible to take the full advantage of it. We hope we can do our part in making Brunei digitalised and much more environmentally responsible.”
The winning product is a business card integrated with near field communication technology (NFC Tech) where it is a convenient way of sharing NFC business cards by tapping it on Apple and Android devices in a bid to reduce paper waste.
Tag Technologies started ideation phase in July this year and started selling the product by October 2022.
“We have a few clients from local companies. We want the cards to be used by companies, business, entrepreneurs or individuals that use paper business cards on a daily basis,” he said.
Tag Technologies will be releasing new lines of products and to expand internationally.
BSM Disrupt has paved the way for local entrepreneurs to venture into the corporate world.
Having one of the winners of the previous programme as one of the company’s partners is evidence of such effort while the other two winners to pilot soon.
