Huawei Tech4City Competition 2025: Empowering Youths to Shape Singapore’s Digital and Sustainable Future
Fourth edition of flagship innovation challenge invites students and startups to co-create tech-driven solutions for social good, innovating under three crucial themes: Smart Healthcare, Smart Education, Smart City.
[Singapore, 26 March 2025] – Huawei today announced the launch of the fourth edition of Tech4City Competition 2025, its flagship youth innovation competition in Singapore, inviting students and startups to shape Singapore’s future through technology-driven solutions that align with national sustainability and digitalization goals. Under the theme “Empowering Our Shared Digital Future”, the 2025 competition challenges participants to develop intelligent, inclusive, and sustainable innovations that address societal needs while driving digital transformation.
Building on the success of the previous three editions, which inspired over 300 innovative ideas from more than 1,000 participants, the competition is in support of the national Digital for Life Movement, and aligns closely with Singapore’s Smart Nation 2.0, National AI Strategy 2.0, and Singapore Green Plan 2030, emphasizing solutions that uplift communities, protect the environment, and ensure inclusivity in the digital age.
More than just a competition, Huawei Tech4City serves as a platform for young talent to hone their skills, connect with industry leaders, and scale their ideas into impactful solutions. Participants will gain access to networking opportunities, skill-enhancement programs, and fast-track entry into Huawei’s global initiatives, including potential internships. Winning teams will receive mentorship, funding opportunities, and support to transform their concepts into real-world applications.
The Grand Prize-winning team from Tech4City 2024, Golden Gamers, comprised three graduates from the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) biomedical engineering department. They developed PrimePlay, a series of AI-driven arcade-style games designed to keep seniors active and engaged. Featuring senior-friendly dance mats ‘Happy Feet’ and motion sensors ‘Grow your Grip’, the games encourage physical activity while addressing the lack of interest seniors expressed in traditional exercise equipment. Tested at multiple community centres, the games have already received positive feedback, showcasing its potential to transform senior wellness.
Another case is NUS start-up FingerDance, who championed in Tech4City 2022 with their AI-powered sign language solution prototype and launched their business after the big win. Huawei has continued to support the aspiring start-up through the Huawei Cloud Incubator and referred it to its local partners, including SBS Transit. In 2024, FingerDance and SBS Transit jointly launched the AI-powered Sign Language Virtual Assistant SiLViA, which uses advanced AI sign language models to translate spoken or written languages into sign language. SiLViA is being trialled at the North East Line Chinatown MRT Station in Singapore, helping hard-of-hearing commuters to travel independently and safely on public transport.
Maxi Wang, CEO of Huawei International, said, “Transformation begins with the smallest steps, guided by the belief that technology must serve humanity, drive social good, and create meaningful change in communities. At Huawei, our commitment to talent development reflects our mission to empower the next generation of problem-solvers and support Singapore’s vision of an inclusive and sustainable future. Together with our partners, we are paving the way for innovation and collective progress, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for all.”
“Investing in innovation today is vital to co-create a better tomorrow. Synapxe is pleased to be part of Tech4City and partner Ng Teng Fong General Hospital to work with young minds and tech startups to re-imagine the future of healthcare. We look forward to more exciting solutions that can empower our healthcare professionals and enhance the delivery of healthcare for Singaporeans,” said Mr. Glenn Neo, Director, Innovation and Capabilities Enablement, Synapxe.
Themes Driving Impact
Participants will address pressing challenges under three thematic pillars:
- Smart Healthcare: Solutions targeting local challenges such as ageing populations, strained medical resources, and mental health. Innovations could include advancements in preventive care, telemedicine, or personalized treatment within a digital-first ecosystem.
- Smart Education: Tools to reimagine lifelong learning and digital literacy, such as AI-driven curricula, VR classrooms, or gamified platforms that bridge socioeconomic gaps.
- Smart City: Urban sustainability and efficiency powered by IoT, AI, and data analytics. Focus areas include energy optimization, smart mobility, cyber hygiene, and resilient infrastructure.
New for 2025: Dual Tracks to Foster Cross-Generational Innovation
A key highlight this year is the emphasis on collaboration across tracks, enabling seasoned innovators to engage with younger peers and gain fresh perspectives from unconventional ideas. This structure ensures that every innovator, regardless of experience, can contribute meaningfully to Singapore’s smart and sustainable future.
To broaden participation and nurture innovation across all levels, Tech4City 2025 introduces two distinct tracks:
- Budding Youths (ages 16–22): Open to students from polytechnics, ITEs, and JCs, this track encourages younger innovators to pitch bold ideas without requiring a functional prototype.
- Onwards Entrepreneurship: Designed for university students and startups, this track emphasizes market-ready prototypes with scalability and real-world application.
Vibrant Ecosystem Partners
To foster a more dynamic ecosystem for youth and enable them to drive social impact, the Tech4City community has broadened its network by collaborating with diverse partners, including:
- Government agencies: Health Promotion Board (HPB) and National Youth Council (NYC);
- Industry partners: SBS Transit, Synapxe, Ng Teng Feng General Hospital, Young NTUC, Global Green Economic Foundation, SG Enable, Business China;
- Knowledge partners: Nanyang Technological University, NUS Business School, NUS Enterprise, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore Institute of Management, Institute of Technical Education.
For the third consecutive year, our longstanding partner SBS Transit has sponsored an additional cash prize for the “Best Innovation in Mobility,” encouraging technological transformations that enhance the commuter experience in public transportation.
Call to Action: Shape Tomorrow’s Singapore
Registration for Tech4City 2025 is now open until 31 July 2025. Submission criteria are as follows:
- Participants must be aged 16–35, forming teams of 3 to 6 members.
- Proposals should include research insights, a proposed solution, execution plan, and social value.
- Budding Youths Track: Mockups or storyboards are required.
- Onwards Entrepreneurship Track: A demo of a working prototype is required.
- Teams must attend the onsite final pitch in Singapore in late October.
- Use of Huawei technology is encouraged (registered participants will gain access to Huawei’s E-learning platform).
For more information on Huawei Tech4City Competition 2025 and project submissions, please visit http://tech4city.sg/.