Together for tomorrow: The role of collaboration in disaster tech innovation

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused unprecedented devastation. Over 30,000 acres have been burned and more than 10,000 structures destroyed, including numerous homes. Approximately 180,000 residents have been evacuated and there have been at least five fatalities, with the death toll expected to rise. The economic losses are estimated between $135 billion and $150 billion. As a result, these wildfires among the costliest in U.S. history. This, and other natural disasters, sow destruction on both lives and livelihoods. The urgent need for innovative and collaborative approaches to disaster preparedness and response is clear.

That’s where the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards 2025 comes in. This platform is designed to identify and support life-saving innovations that mitigate the impacts of natural disasters and accelerate recovery efforts. And there is no better time, as efforts to save lives before, during, and after disasters have never been more critical. The initiative also underscores the urgent need for collaboration. Read on to find out how it brings together diverse stakeholders to address the pressing challenges posed by climate-related and other crises.

The role of collaboration in advancing disaster tech

At the heart of the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards is the Prudence Foundation, a leading advocate for disaster preparedness and resilience in Asia. Since its inception, Prudence Foundation has leveraged its deep expertise and expansive network. It has created a platform dedicated to saving lives through innovation. As the driving force behind the awards, its vision is to inspire transformative solutions that mitigate disaster risks and accelerate recovery efforts, ensuring communities can thrive even in the face of adversity.

This vision is realized through consistent and intentional collaboration. First, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) contributes invaluable expertise in humanitarian response, providing a critical perspective on disaster management. This partnership ensures a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced during crises. As a  result, it facilitates timely and effective interventions that prioritize the needs of affected communities.

Meanwhile, Amazon Web Services (AWS) lends its technological prowess, offering cloud infrastructure and support for disaster preparedness efforts. This includes their work with CropIn to reduce crop loss using climate-resilient technologies. Through this collaboration, AWS helps provide farmers with predictive analytics and real-time weather data.  This optimises agricultural practices, ensuring that crops are better protected against unpredictable climate patterns. Since 2017, they’ve responded to 145 natural disasters, leveraging cloud technology to enable solutions like climate-resilient agriculture.

Finally, e27 plays a vital role as an implementation partner. With its unparalleled connection to the startup ecosystem, it ensures that the initiative resonates with its target audience. Together, these partners exemplify the synergy required to advance the disaster technology ecosystem, proving that collaboration is the cornerstone of resilience.

Read also: e27 and Prudence Foundation champion disaster tech innovation through strategic partnerships

SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards and the real-world impact of disaster tech

The SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards have a proven track record of celebrating groundbreaking innovations. These innovations have made a tangible impact in disaster response and preparedness. Over the years, the Awards have provided a launchpad for startups to scale their solutions and secure key partnerships, expanding their reach and effectiveness. In 2023, Wateroam emerged as a standout winner with its ROAMfilter Plus 2, a lightweight, cost-effective water filtration system that has delivered safe drinking water to over 250,000 people across 40 countries.

The 2021 edition saw EcoWorth Tech Pte. Ltd. from Singapore take the spotlight for its transformative approach to turning local cellulosic waste into super-absorbent materials for oil spill clean-up and water treatment. The inaugural 2019 Awards celebrated FieldSight, a platform revolutionizing field operations with real-time monitoring and management capabilities, particularly in disaster-prone regions. These inspiring success stories underscore the Awards’ commitment to empowering innovators and scaling disaster tech solutions that save lives globally.

Read also: Wateroam emerges victorious at the 2023 SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards

Introducing the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Community Hub

In 2024, the launch of the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Community Hub marked a pivotal extension of the awards’ mission. The hub has cultivated a thriving ecosystem of over 100 members, including startups, NGOs, investors, and policymakers. This vibrant network fosters collaboration and innovation in disaster technology. As a result, it enables stakeholders to share ideas, pool resources, and form impactful partnerships. A cornerstone of the hub’s efforts is its global repository, a central platform for disaster tech news, resources, and events. Startups have also benefited from access to high-impact activities like webinars, workshops, and showcases.

Designed to foster long-term collaboration, the hub serves as a platform where innovators, funders, and enablers can connect, share resources, and scale solutions. It provides an ecosystem for stakeholders to collaborate on groundbreaking technologies that address disaster risks. Complementing the D-Tech Awards, the Hub amplifies efforts to build resilience and promote sustainable solutions, ensuring that the impact of these innovations extends well beyond the awards themselves. Join the Community Hub here.

Read also: Shaping disaster resilience in APAC through innovation with D-Tech Spotlight

Looking Ahead: The D-Tech Awards 2025

As the D-Tech Awards 2025 approach, the emphasis on collaboration remains stronger than ever. The event promises an enhanced focus on partnerships, capacity building, and innovation, driving further progress in disaster resilience. Interested organisations can look forward to the start of the application process in February. The in-person finals will take place at Echelon 2025. This key gathering for tech innovators and entrepreneurs hosted by e27 will be held on 11 June 2025.

The awards promise to continue its legacy of uncovering and promoting transformative solutions that save lives, protect communities, and expedite recovery in the aftermath of disasters.The awards offer an unparalleled opportunity for startups, organisations, and stakeholders to engage in transformative change. By fostering collaboration across sectors, the awards aim to uncover and scale solutions that save lives, protect communities, and expedite recovery during crises. 

The SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards and Community Hub exemplify how strategic partnerships can create lasting impact in disaster tech. Organisations and stakeholders are invited to join the Hub.  Through it, they can contribute to this mission and support the journey toward a more resilient future.

Be part of the innovation that shapes tomorrow’s disaster response! Join the virtual launch of SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards 2025 on 10 February!

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by Prudence Foundation

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Image credit: Prudence Foundation

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