Lyna Mohamad
Recycling startup Tebalik Plastik won the heart of judges in the BSM Disrupt hackathon event. Inspired by Precious Plastic in tackling the plastic problem in Brunei, Tebalik Plastik was adjudged the winner of the competition.
Organised by Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd (BSM), BSM Disrupt is a hackathon programme that serves as a platform for BSM to collaborate with new business partners.
Set with the objective of crowdsourcing ideas on how to solve a problem or improve a current service within the BSM Company’s sphere of influence, the platform targets startups and businesses with at least a minimum viable product (MVP) and a proven operation track record.
The top three winners were announced at a prize presentation and closing ceremony for BSM Disrupt, at the PGGMB Building in the capital yesterday with Deputy Minister, Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw, as the guest of honour.
BSM Managing Director, Muhammad Norshafiee bin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil in his opening remarks highlighted BSM’s commitment to building partnerships and working with businesses to improve customers’ experience in innovative ways.
“When the BSM Disrupt programme was conceptualised two years ago, we aspired to create a platform that not only benefits BSM, but also support innovative businesses run by talented technopreneurs,” he said.
“Today, one of the winners of the previous BSM Disrupt is now one of their business partners and the other two winners to pilot soon as they are working actively with the winners in refining their offerings.”
He noted that the programme has always been about building new partnerships with new businesses to solve their (BSM) organisation’s day-to-day challenges and opportunities to improve their customers’ experience.
Tebalik Plastik, Recap Sdn Bhd and Tag Technologies were the top three teams that pitched the most feasible business ideas, demonstrating application to innovation, proven business model, and a working prototype with Tebalik Plastik walking away as the first-place winner and won BND5,000 prize money.
“I am thankful of this win. It was so unexpected as I believe we had an amazing lineup of business which are very innovative and very modern,” said Tebalik Plastik founder Syahmi Zulfadhli.
Second-placed winner, Recap won the BND3,000 prize money while Tag Technologies in third place won the BND 1,000 prize money.
