Tanjung Balai-Meral, Riau Kepulauan Aug 25, 2026 (Issuewire.com) The Batam Innovation Center today announced the successful conclusion of the inaugural Batam Singapore Hackathon 2026 (1516 August) and the accompanying RISING Batam Tech Leadership Summit 2026 (16 August), held at the State Polytechnic of Batam (Politeknik Negeri Batam). The dual events brought together regional builders, industry leaders, and stakeholders to address real-world challenges facing Batam and the broader Singapore-Johor-Riau (SIJORI) Growth Triangle, under the theme Build in Batam, Showcase to the World.
Of the 34 teams approved to participate in the tech-agnostic 16-hour hackathon sprint, 21 teams submitted working prototypes across three tracks: Digital Infrastructure Data Centers; Ease of Living & Sustainability; and Tourism Development. Eleven mentors and judges provided intensive on-site guidance during the build phase and subsequently scored the projects. Nine winning teams were announced across the three tracks:
Winners: Team DataMaster, I Can Do IT, Manusia Kuadh
1st Runners-Up: Doa Ibu, Tim gas Terus, Mercedes
2nd Runners-Up: Kabocha, Running on Coffee, MATRIX
Mentors and Judges comprised Krishna Prasad Acharya, Mohamed Hardi, Jose Galarza, Syam Sarosa, Vamshi Nagulapati, Sachidananda Karkala, Hendy Leong, Muthhukumar Malaiiyyappan, Sujayandra Vaddagiri, Muhammad Rizky Syahfie, and Indra Rukmana.
Notable solutions highlighted in post-event updates included AI-powered government API Integration and Intelligent API Service Registry; sustainable data-centre tools such as Digital Twin Monitoring Dashboards and water/energy management solutions; and tourism platforms covering accessible/inclusive tourism, medical tourism facilitation, and eco-rewards systems. Organisers have begun sharing demo videos of selected solutions and indicated ongoing evaluation for potential pilots.
The RISING Batam Tech Leadership Summit featured 14 speakers across four panels who delivered in-depth insights on cross-border opportunities:
Panel 1: Cross-Border Tech Collaboration: Opportunities in the SIJORI Growth Triangle
Speakers: Rudyanto Azhar (Iskandar Regional Development Authority), Irfan Syakir Widyasa (Badan Pengusahaan Batam), Elle Quan (Moderator Asia Tech X), Prof. Edward Tay (National University of Singapore)
Focus: Smart cities collaboration, regulatory enhancements, talent mobility, investment flows, and joint innovation between Singapore tech expertise and Batams execution capabilities and cost advantages.
Panel 2: AI, Data Centers & Sustainable Digital Infrastructure in Island Economies
Speakers: Dr. Hemachandran K (Woxsen), Sachidananda Karkala (Akamai), Cosmas Widyawan (Neuron Digital), Alan Ng (Quikbot)
Focus: Artificial intelligence applications, energy demands, green tech solutions, edge computing, talent gaps, and positioning Batam as a sustainable data hub serving Singapore and regional demand.
Panel 3: Smart Tourism & Medical Tourism Innovation: Building Batams Next Growth Engine
Speakers: Vamshi Nagulapati, Jimmy Nababan, William Du
Focus: Technology for seamless visitor experiences, health-tech integration, sustainable tourism models, and leveraging proximity to Singapore.
Panel 4: Talent, Startups & Ecosystem Building: From Hackathon to Scale
Speakers: Ari Nugrahanto, Hendy Leong, Prof. Edward Tay, Seoyoung Xu
Focus: Bridging talent shortages, startup scaling challenges, mentorship, funding access, and converting hackathon prototypes into real ventures.
The inaugural Innovation Excellence Award 2026 was presented to Dr. Hemachandran K of the AI Research Centre Woxsen University in recognition of impactful AI research and applications.
Post-event feedback from participants, mentors, judges, and organisers underscores the quality of prototypes produced under tight timelines, the value of mentor engagement, and the collaborative spirit across the region.
BuilderBase provided the hackathon organising platform. The Batam Innovation Center extends its sincere thanks to Batam State Polytechnic for the excellent venue support, and to PT IPAS Ventures Indonesia and HQ Connections Pte Ltd for their strong backing in organising this successful dual event.
Batam is perfectly positioned as Singapores strategic partner in digital infrastructure, sustainable growth, and tourism innovation. These events created a platform where serious builders solve meaningful problems that can scale from Batam to the region and the world, noted the organisers.
Follow-up activities include further evaluation of high-potential prototypes and preliminary planning for a larger RISING 60 Batam Tech Summit in 2027 to mark 60 years of Indonesia-Singapore diplomatic relations.
The events reinforce Batams emergence as a practical innovation and tech hub within the SIJORI corridor, just a 55-minute ferry ride from Singapore.
About Batam Innovation Center
Managed in association with PT IPAS Ventures Indonesia and supported by HQ Connections Pte Ltd, the Batam Innovation Center nurtures innovation culture on Batam Island through hackathons, workshops, demo days, and leadership summits. It focuses on cross-border collaboration, technology adoption, and startup growth to position Batam as ASEANs next tech hub complementary to Singapore.
Media Contact
Batam Innovation Center (PT IPAS Ventures Indonesia)
Email: info@ipasventures.com / info@risingbatam.org
Website: https://risingbatam.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/batam-innovation-center
Media Contact
Batam Innovation Center – PT IPAS Ventures Indonesia
Gunawan P
Kota Batam, Batam Island
Source :Batam Innovation Center – PT IPAS Ventures Indonesia
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