September 2020

Thailand

SC launched “Intrapreneurship” programme named “0 – 1 Challenge” since 2018. With the aim of accelerating the creation of new next-generation businesses, the programme allows employees to propose new businesses regardless of their day-to-day responsibilities.

This year, SC held “0 – 1 challenge 2020” pitch contest in September 2020. We are proud to share that from SCAO Group region, SCTL and SCOP were shortlisted to participate in the pitch contest. Let’s hear from the participants about their proposal and what they have learned from this experience.

SCTL proposes retirement in a self-sustained community

Both of us are mothers with a daughter. We do not want our child to take double responsibility in the future. Hence, we want to plan for our retirement when we can afford to maintain good health and live happily. Our research revealed that senior citizens do not only expect to live longer but also live well and surrounded by people who are understanding. Living with nature, using green energy and low cost living in a sustainable village located at the suburb of Thailand is the answer for us. Hence, this year we participated in 0 – 1 challenge contest to share our idea with Japanese retirees. 

SELF (Sustainable Efficient Love Facilities Smart) Village aims to design and develop a community where residents can share facilities, good health advisories and products, participate in activities and spend quality time.  Residents will save their money on cost of living by learning to produce local food, and taking care their own vegetable farm from the locals. These activities can also keep them healthy. Residents can also eat their own produce from their farm, hence, reducing their cost of living. Moreover, the community arranges weekend activities where the residents could showcase their skills, such as farming, wood furniture making, craft etc. and sell the products, generating some income for themselves.

What we have learnt from the challenge is that people are more concerned of sustainable development goals and that many ideas are sustainable for not only our company but for our World too. Although we could not pass through to the Demo day, it was a good experience for us having learnt many good ideas from the other 12 teams.

SCOP to compete in 0 – 1 Challenge Finals

SCOP has been chosen as a finalist of the 0 – 1 Challenge 2020 for SORTY, a mobile application aimed at solving the garbage segregation problem in the Philippines. SORTY is a play on words for “Sorting the Garbage”. SORTY was conceptualised by Mr Joshua Armea of SCOP’s Energy Unit. The other members of the 3-man team are Ms Maita Quiocho of SABDU and Mr Jeff Ayo of Infrastructure department.

SORTY connects sellers and buyers through a mobile application. Eco-preneurs may use SORTY after they collect recyclables from their communities, then alert SORTY (once the minimum volume is met) to pick up and deliver them to junkshops (Phase 1) or a recycling center (Phase 2). With just three easy steps – locate, collect and reward, SORTY will allow the unemployed to earn income while helping the environment at the same time.

The team submitted its entry in July. By August, the 0 – 1 Secretariat announced that 14 teams had qualified for the pitch contest: 11 Japanese and 3 non-Japanese (from the Philippines, Thailand and China) teams. The pitch contest was held on 8 September. Each team presented their idea to the judges. At the end of the contest, they announced the finalists for Demo Day on January 2021. The SCOP team was one of the 7 teams and the second non-Japanese team in the 3-year history of 0 – 1 Challenge to reach the finals!

The criteria for judging on Demo Day are: 

1. can the business plan expand to a variety of domains; 
2. if any business partner agree with the idea; and 
3. if the team shows passion and commitment.

The winner will receive up to 3 billion yen from SC to fund the start up. Acceptance of external funding is also possible.