Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc.
Wala Usik Hackathon 2021
Got a zero-waste idea?
We asked around and here are some thoughts we liked:
- “Reducing disposables from online shopping and food delivery”
- “An app for recycling in my city”
- “We want to expand our organization’s initiatives for waste reduction, and sustain it with a business plan…“
- “Compostable packaging?”
- “A circular, sustainable business!”
Now is the chance to make your ideas happen!
WHAT IS THE HACKATHON ABOUT?
In this 4-day virtual event on 27-30 August 2021, we’ll help 18 teams to hack their Wala Usik pitch for 48 hours. The teams will be pitching innovative, early-stage concepts of circular products, packaging and systems, which: (1) design out waste and pollution, (2) keep materials in use, and (3) regenerate natural resources. Five (5) teams with the most innovative circular ideas will each receive a Php 100,000 prize along with a 2-month incubation support, to further firm up their circular business plans and make their ideas operational.
Wala Usik Challenge: A Circular Economy Hackathon is also a great opportunity to build a network of advocates, ideators, entrepreneurs and innovators working towards sustainability and a localized circular economy. In the process, we also hope to inspire consumers and the general public to support “Wala Usik”, a Hiligaynon/Bisaya phrase for circular practices where ‘nothing is wasted’ and our natural ecosystems are thriving.
THEMES
1. Product Innovation
- Products made of native, local and naturally compostable materials
- Alternative packaging (e.g. bioplastics, edible wraps, dissolvable materials)
- Reusable or refillable containers
- Solid formats for traditionally liquid products
- Equipment or device for refilling or any waste reduction approach (e.g. dispensers, vending machines)
2. Systems Innovation
- Could be logistical, mechanical or digital
- Safe and accessible refilling or reuse business models
- Voluntary deposit return schemes
- Apps or web-based platforms
- Shared reuse systems and subscription services
- Delivery mechanisms
- Rental and repair business models
ELIGIBILITY
- Teams must be composed of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 members, the majority of whom should be based in the Philippines. The team leader must be at least 18 years old, a Filipino citizen, and based in the Philippines at the time of the Challenge.
- Concepts or ideas are preferred to be in the early stages of business development – prototyping of the minimum viable product, piloting, building a customer base, up to establishing a strong cash flow. Organizations and teams may pitch new ideas as long as these build on their existing track record or existing network of zero-waste or circular initiatives. Ideas must be supported by a well-developed business concept, prototype and/or initial market validation.
- All team members must be available to participate in the 4-day hack dates (27-30 August 2021). Only official team members can present the pitch during judging. At least one team member must be available to participate in the pre- and post-hack virtual meetings and workshops throughout the Wala Usik Challenge, especially the business planning and incubation activities for the winners, with a minimum of 4 hours a week from September-October 2021. Winners will receive the Php 100,000 seed fund in tranches based on milestones from their participation in the post-hack sessions.
CRITERIA
Circularity: The innovation is designing out waste and pollution, keeping materials in use, regenerating natural resources, and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals – 30%
Innovativeness: The innovation demonstrates fresh, creative, and disruptive approaches to tackling waste issues – 20%
Community Impact: The innovation is adapted and tailored to the local context, earning benefits for the community’s development, livelihood, climate resilience, and equal opportunity – 20%
Financial Sustainability: The innovation has the potential to be sustained financially and/or to be attractive to investors, partners and the market – 10%
Community Support: The innovation has existing partners, investors, market reach and a network of support in the community where it is piloted – 10%
Replicability: The innovation has the potential to be replicated and/or scaled- 5%
Team Composition: The team behind the innovation is diverse and inclusive, and each member’s skills and abilities complement with those of others in the team – 5%
TIMELINE
Applications Open on Earth Day: 22 April 2021
Deadline of Applications: 6 August 2021
Announcement of 15 teams as finalists: 14 August 2021
Pre-Hack briefing and orientation meetings (for the selected 15 teams): schedule options to be arranged between 15-25 August 2021
Hack Dates: 27-30 August 2021 (complete program to be sent to the finalists)
Day 1 (Friday, 27 August 2021)
09:30-11:30 – Launch Livestream with Keynote Speaker on Circular Economy 101 (Carlo Delantar of Circulo, Ellen MacArthur Foundation Circular Economy Pioneer in the Philippines)
11:30-12:30 – Introduction of Mentors, Judges and Agenda for the Hackathon
13:30-17:30 – Team Breakouts with Mentors
Day 2 (Saturday, 28 August 2021)
09:30-12:30 – Team Breakouts with Mentors
Plenary Room for Pitching 101 (Anna Oposa of Save Philippine Seas) and Preparatory Phase for Pitch Day
13:30-17:30 – Team Breakouts with Mentors
18:30-19:30 – E-numan Networking and Game Night (Optional Socials)
Day 3 (Sunday, 29 August 2021)
09:30-12:30 – Team Breakouts with Mentors (Optional)
18:30 – Deadline of Pitch Presentations
Day 4 (Monday, 30 August 2021)
Pitch Day
(Final timetable for teams to deliver their 10-minute pitch TBC)
Final Deliberation of Pitches: 30 August 2021
Results Livestream (Announcement of 5 Winners of the Wala Usik Challenge): 30 August 2021, 19:00-20:00
For the 5 winning teams: Business Plan Incubation Period on 4 September-16 October 2021 (details in separate brief; the Php 100,000 prize money will be disbursed in tranches dependent on attendance/ progress in this period; at least 1 team member needs to participate in all schedules).
Saturday, 4 September 2021, 09:00-12:00
Business Planning Lite Workshop: Value Proposition, Company Description, Improving MVP/Service and Product Line, Market Analysis
Saturday, 18 September 2021, 09:00-12:00
Business Planning Lite Workshop: Sales and Marketing, Financial Projections, Fundraising/Pitching to Investors
Saturday, 2 October 2021, 09:00-12:00
Presentation and Critiquing of Business Plans
Saturday, 16 October 2021
Final Submission of Business Plans
Winners’ Summit / Demo Day (Livestream): 9 January 2022
PROJECT PARTNERS
This hackathon is organized by the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PRRCFI) for the ‘Rethinking Plastics – Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter’ project, co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ and Expertise France.
Hosted in the cities of Bacolod and Talisay in the Philippines, the virtual events and the incubation program are in collaboration with the Design Thinking Factory, Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), Association of Negros Producers (ANP), Circulo, Save Philippine Seas, and the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-DTI Negros Occidental Center for DELIGHT (Design, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Innovation, Good Ideas, Human Development and Technology Transfer).
