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The startups beat 700 submissions from Africa, Australia and Asia Pacific

Somchai Lertsutiwong (CEO, AIS, Thailand), Arch Wongchindawest and Aliza Napartivaumnuay (Socialgiver, Grand Winner of 2015 Singtel-Samsung Regional Mobile App Challenge), Chua Sock Koong (Group CEO, Singtel), Edgar Hardless (CEO, Singtel Innov8)

Thailand’s Socialgiver was crowned champion of the second Singtel Group-Samsung Regional Mobile App Challenge in Jakarta, Indonesia today, while Australia’s OTTO was crowned winner of the Samsung Innovation Award.

The winners get the chance to market their apps to Singtel’s group footprint across Asia, Australia and Africa. They will also get prime product placement in Samsung’s content and device platform.

The competition began in May 2015 with local contests in Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Madagascar, Niger, Australia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Two finalists were chosen per region and the teams participated in a two-day mentorship programme in Singapore in October.

The competition ended with a pitching session judged by William Tanuwijaya of Tokopedia, as well as senior representatives of Singtel Group and Samsung in Jakarta today.

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Socialgiver won for creating a platform that connects businesses, consumers, and charities.

The startup offers consumers special rates from business with excess capacity such as hotels with extra rooms or restaurants with extra tables, with part of the money gained donated to charity. Companies that participate also get the opportunity to get a tax rebate.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Innovation Award is for companies with the greatest level of synergy with Samsung’s product portfolio. This year, the title went to OTTO, which provides voice-controlled mobile apps for drivers.

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The two startups beat 700 submissions from across Asia Pacific, Australia and Africa in a competition to seek app developers who can grow their companies and market their innovations.

“As income levels rise in the emerging markets and smartphones become ever more affordable, what was once a luxury good is now fast becoming a basic necessity. The right mobile apps now have the power to create new economies and improve people’s lives by helping them save time, energy and money,” said Mark Chong, CEO of Singtel International.

“Enjoy 2-for-1 tickets to Echelon Indonesia 2016 now. Do not miss out on Indonesia’s biggest international tech conference!”

The post Socialgiver and OTTO win Singtel-Samsung mobile app challenge appeared first on e27.

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