Page 16 - Berita Sunway - Issue 76

SUST AINABLE P AR TNERSHIPS
REVVING UP THE SUSTAINABLE
AUTOMOTIV
ECOSYSTEM
More than a century has passed since German
automotive engineer Karl Benz introduced the rst
gasoline-powered car in 1886.
Since then, cars have become ubiquitous in modern
society, with the global number of cars estimated to
reach two billion by 2040 – according to the World
Economic Forum, citing ndings from a report by US
To date, Sunway
research and brokerage rm Bernstein.
While transportation systems are critical for the social
and economic growth of countries, the environmental has invested over
cost globally is exorbitant.
RM200 million
Based on the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), transportation accounts for a quarter of the in start-ups and
world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
venture-building.
In Malaysia, the transportation sector utilises 40% of
the nal energy – total energy consumed by end-users –
and contributes to approximately 30% of the country’s
greenhouse gas emissions, according to Malaysia’s
Transport Ministry.
While the Malaysian government encourages low
carbon mobility via energy-e cient vehicles and public
transportation, private sector entities like Sunway are
similarly doing their part towards achieving net zero
carbon emissions by 2050.
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With more than half of the world’s population currently
living in urban spaces, smart cities are no longer an option
if the world is to achieve net zero carbon emissions – it
must be the standard moving forward.
Based on the International Energy Agency’s (IEA)
‘Empowering Cities for a Net Zero Future’ report, cities
consume two-thirds of global energy and generate more
than 70% of annual global carbon emissions.
POWERING With an estimated 27.3 million, or more than 70%
Malaysians, living in urban areas by 2025, the Malaysian
government believes that smart cities are key to addressing
urbanisation issues.
ACCELERATING AUTOMOTIVE SMART CITIES Besides promoting economic growth as well as improving
SUSTAINABILITY FOR A the quality of life, people and planet, smart cities will also
contribute to Malaysia’s goal of becoming a carbon neutral
Sunway Innovation Labs (iLabs) has announced its partnership nation by 2050.
with Carsome, Southeast Asia’s largest integrated car
e-commerce platform, to launch Carsome Mobility Lab – the
rst automotive ecosystem focused accelerator programme in
Malaysia.
e launch aims to support global tech start-ups in delivering
sustainable solutions in Carsome’s markets – Malaysia,
Singapore, Indonesia and ailand.
Under the Carsome Mobility Lab, US$150,000 (RM668,550)
of funding will be available for up to six selected start-ups,
along with mentorship and partnership opportunities through
Sunway and Carsome’s network of entrepreneurs, venture
capitalists, corporations and industry leaders.
e shortlisted start-ups can also connect with Sunway’s 13
business divisions across Sunway City Kuala Lumpur (SCKL), ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE
as well as Sunway’s extensive funding ecosystem, which SMART CITY SOLUTIONS
includes Orbit Malaysia, SunSEA Capital, Gobi Partners and
e HIVE SEA for potential funding and investment Sunway iLabs recently established a partnership with government agency
introduce a smart city sandbox through the National Technology & Innovation
opportunities. Malaysia Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI) to
SCKL embodies a living laboratory, bridging experts to Sandbox (NTIS) initiative.
generate and test sustainable solutions that are relevant for
future urban spaces, for the betterment of all. NTIS allows researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to test their products and
services in a live environment and qualify for grants to bring products and
To date, Sunway has invested over RM200 million in start-ups services to market via Sunway’s global network of partners.
and venture-building.
is is how Sunway City Kuala Lumpur (SCKL) as a living laboratory comes
“We are excited to work with a successful unicorn like Carsome into play. With “smart cities” as one of the six key verticals, the city has become
that is contributing to Malaysia and Southeast Asia's growth in a test bed for researchers, experts and academia to generate sustainable real-world
the tech scene. We remain committed to enabling businesses to “We are constantly looking out for transformative solutions solutions for the betterment of all.
develop greater local innovations as part of our commitment and working with start-ups, businesses and individuals to test
to nation-building and advancing the 17 United Nations their solutions in our living lab to gain real feedback. e e smart city sandbox will focus on technologies in the eld of sustainability
Sustainable Development Goals,” said Sunway Group chief NTIS collaboration will open doors to create solutions that data tools, technology investment for renewable energy and resource recovery,
executive o cer of digital and strategic investments, Evan Cheah. address societal problems and amplify our e orts in our smart command centre, enhanced arti cial intelligence (AI) security systems,
commitment to nation-building and advancing the United integrated property and facility management system.
"With the networks, market, mentors and funding of Carsome Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
and Sunway, the accelerator is a unique opportunity for tech Sunway is committed towards actively engaging with entrepreneurs and bright
entrepreneurs to build their businesses in the automotive EVAN CHEAH minds to develop sustainable solutions, as seen through our recent initiative – the
industry,” said Sunway Group chief innovation o cer and Sunway Group chief executive o cer National Solutions Forum 2022, as well as various accelerator programmes and
director of Sunway iLabs, Matt van Leeuwen. of Digital and Strategic Investments hackathons by Sunway iLabs.