The cohort will feature a company working on zero-waste organic toothpaste, a tech-enabled hiring platform for migrant workers, and a social learning platform for kids.

HyperSpark, an early-stage, sustainability-focussed startup programme in Asia, will hold its Demo Day on Wednesday (May 6).

The virtual Demo Day will feature 10 companies in the first cohort of its 10-week-long pre-accelerator programme. The cohort includes a company working on zero-waste organic toothpaste, a tech-enabled hiring platform that cuts out the middleman for migrant workers, and a social learning platform for kids.

These startups will share real stories about their challenges and commitment to tackling global sustainability issues.

HyperSpark is a part of HyperX, the global hackcelerator programme launched by StartupX and Temasek, to propel innovative solutions that can help shape a better, smarter, and more sustainable world. It aims to provide a platform for startups to get support, mentorship, resources, and funding regardless of the stage they are at.

The programme pivoted to an online format midway through, as the teams adjusted to the circuit breaker measures that were introduced in early April.

Over the course of ten weeks, the HyperSpark teams worked with mentors and coaches on various aspects of their business, building up their product and acquiring their first users and customers.

Each team was also provided with a US$10,000 grant to support them in their product development and user adoption to define their product-market fit and gain traction.

StartupX’s CEO Durwin Ho said that the first cohort of HyperSpark shows that there is still much work to be done to help sustainability-focused startups grow in Asia’s ecosystem.

“We have seen so much potential in the first cohort. These companies are working to improve education, achieve zero-waste in different industries, and provide greater access to underserved communities, to name a few. But 2030 timeline to achieve sustainable development goals is looming and more needs to be done to support founders and innovators in this space,” he added.

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Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash