Youths Innovate for Social Good at River Hongbao Hackathon 2025

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence (SG60) and to usher in the Year of the Snake, River Hongbao 2025 at Gardens by the Bay will feature innovative products that emerged as solutions to social challenges. These solutions were developed by young innovators who triumphed at the Mapletree-SCCCI River Hongbao Hackathon (RHBHacks) 2025.

Themed “Celebrating SG60: Innovating for Social Good”, this year’s hackathon, supported by Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd (Mapletree) and organised by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI), brought together young innovators to tackle pressing social challenges. Participants were tasked to showcase the nation’s journey of resilience and unity while addressing pressing social challenges through innovation to build a brighter and more inclusive future.

Speech by Guest-of-Honour, Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development

Ms. Sun Xueling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development, graced the finals and prize presentation ceremony as  the Guest-of-Honour. Commending the participants for their active participation, Ms Sun said: “Over the years, Singapore has grown stronger through resilience, innovation and unity. Social challenges are inevitable as with progress, there will need to be changes to how things are done and the views of young people matter as we navigate change, in coming up with solutions to the social challenges and participating in the discourse. I am delighted to see our youths participate in bringing Singapore forward by using innovation to tackle social challenges.”

Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree, added: “Mapletree has proudly supported RHBHacks each year since 2019, offering aspiring young entrepreneurs an exciting platform to share and showcase their innovative and socially responsible ideas. We hope this platform will continue to ignite their passion to take bold steps towards realising their entrepreneurial dreams.”

Guest-of-Honour, Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development, and Mr Wan Kwong Weng, Group Chief Corporate Officer, Mapletree Investments, interacting with the participants

This year’s hackathon, open to tertiary students aged 18 to 29, drew strong participation, with 32 proposals submitted. Ten finalist teams pitched their ideas to a distinguished panel at the RHBHacks held at Mapletree Business City on 18 December 2024. The top four teams were awarded with S$2,000 in prize money, S$5,000 in seed funding, and an opportunity to run a stall at River Hongbao 2025. The most innovative and best pitch teams also won S$500 respectively in prize money.

Top Four Finalist Teams (no particular order):

Team Impact Collider receiving one of the Top 4 Finalists Award from Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development (left); Mr Wan Kwong Weng, Group Chief Corporate Officer, Mapletree Investments (second from right), and Mr Phua Kiah Mai, Deputy Secretary-General, SFCCA (right)

Team RTE Technologies receiving one of the Top 4 Finalists Award from Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development (left); Mr Wan Kwong Weng, Group Chief Corporate Officer, Mapletree Investments (second from right), and Mr Phua Kiah Mai, Deputy Secretary-General, SFCCA (right)

Team SUSFeed receiving one of the Top 4 Finalists Award from Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development (left); Mr Wan Kwong Weng, Group Chief Corporate Officer, Mapletree Investments (second from right), and Mr Phua Kiah Mai, Deputy Secretary-General, SFCCA (right)

Team Memory Mates receiving one of the Top 4 Finalists Award from Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development (left); Mr Wan Kwong Weng, Group Chief Corporate Officer, Mapletree Investments (second from right), and Mr Phua Kiah Mai, Deputy Secretary-General, SFCCA (right)

Special Awards:

Team Algy receiving the Most Innovative Award at RHBHacks 2025

Team Clara Nature Spice Art receiving the Best Pitch Award from RHBHacks 2025 Judging Panel

Participants started their journey with an information-sharing session and virtual retail workshops led by a retail expert from Mapletree on 21 and 22 October 2024. These preparatory sessions gave the teams essential marketing knowledge and tools to refine their ideas.

Winning teams will operate stalls at River Hongbao, held from 27 January to 5 February 2025, alongside food, retail, and games booths. The team that generates the highest profit by the event’s conclusion will earn an additional S$300 in prize money.  Additionally, 70% of each team’s proceeds will be donated to IPC-registered charities, aligned with Mapletree’s corporate social responsibility pillars.

Group photo of shortlisted RHBHacks 2025 teams, judges and guests at Mapletree Business City