Over the past three years, e27’s collaboration with Prudence Foundation has focused on the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards. It is a platform dedicated to recognizing and supporting startups with innovative technologies. These technologies mitigate the impact of natural disasters, prevent them, or expedite recovery efforts. This ongoing partnership highlights the importance of fostering innovation to address the growing challenges posed by climate-related crises.

Building on this foundation, the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Community Hub was launched this year in partnership with Prudence Foundation. It benefited from the support of strategic allies such as e27, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Looking ahead, e27 is proud to announce its involvement in organising the D-Tech Awards 2025. This continues the mission of empowering technology-driven solutions for disaster risk reduction.

Advancing the disaster technology system supported by e27 

As SAFE STEPS D-Tech initiative’s strategic partner, e27 is carrying out key responsibilities to advance the disaster technology ecosystem. These include building a global community through the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Community Hub. Through it, diverse stakeholders can come together to discover, create, sustain, and scale innovative disaster technology solutions. e27 also facilitates introductions between potential partners and startups within the hub, fostering meaningful collaborations.

Additionally, e27 is developing a comprehensive global repository for disaster technology solutions. This platform serves as a central platform for related news, resources, events, and programs. To amplify awareness, e27 is creating a series of content spotlighting the hub, the D-Tech Repository, and SAFE STEPS D-Tech’s presence at the Echelon Asia Summit 2024. And this partnership with Prudence Foundation is set to continue. Notably, e27 is leading the organization of the next SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards in 2025. Through these efforts, e27 helps community members access a robust directory of disaster tech solution providers.

Also read: Shaping disaster resilience in APAC through innovation with D-Tech Spotlight

ICYMI: e27 and Prudence Foundation’s collaboration in 2024

In 2024, e27 spearheaded a series of impactful initiatives to foster innovation and collaboration in the disaster technology ecosystem. The year began with a virtual launch on 26 March, featuring a keynote by Sanjay Srivastava from UNESCAP. This featured contributions from industry leaders like Jaron Lim of Wateroam and Brian Eyler of the Stimson Center. This event set the stage for global engagement, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in scaling disaster tech solutions. A workshop held on 19 June, themed “General Partnerships Towards Scaling Reach & Operations in Asia,” attracted over 60 stakeholders worldwide. It resulted in valuable discussions on extending the reach of disaster technology solutions.

Later in the year, e27 hosted two specialized sessions to deepen collaboration. It hosted an exclusive webinar on 23 September, titled “Partnerships for Impact: Strategies for Successful Collaboration in the D-Tech Space.” It featured Matthew Cua from Help.NGO, who provided practical insights on building effective partnerships. On 10 October, it held a roundtable session titled, “Scaling Up – Strategies for Growth and Funding in the D-Tech Sector.” The exclusive event featured expert guidance from Francis Simisim of E88 Ventures. These initiatives collectively strengthened the global disaster tech community, enabling stakeholders to share knowledge, forge partnerships, and drive innovation.

e27 supporting the disaster tech ecosystem through D-Tech Spotlight

On 27 November, Prudence Foundation, supported by e27, brought together innovators, industry leaders, and passionate advocates in a virtual forum. D-Tech Spotlight: Disaster Resilience via Technology, held last 27 November, showcased what technology can do to mitigate disasters. Central to the event were 13 innovative startups revolutionising this space. Joining them were Amazon Web Services (AWS), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and other key organizations.

One clear takeaway was the growing importance of collaboration across sectors to drive change in disaster preparedness. The presence of both private and public organisations underscored why unified efforts can improve disaster resilience. Together, NGOs, startups, and governments reflect the growing recognition that unified efforts are key. This cross-sector collaboration not only strengthens disaster management but also promotes long-term resilience. Ultimately, more lives are saved and economic and social impacts are minimised.

Towards a resilient future: e27 supporting the D-Tech ecosystem

The SAFE STEPS D-Tech Community 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, enabling 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, gaining visibility and connecting with key partners to scale solutions for underserved regions.

Key events such as the Echelon X pavilion showcase, D-Tech Spotlight, and SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards have further propelled the disaster tech ecosystem into the spotlight. Echelon, in particular, has served as a dynamic platform for startups to present innovative solutions to a global audience and engage with influential stakeholders. These efforts, combined with the hub’s emphasis on thought leadership and content creation, have reinforced a collective commitment to advancing disaster resilience worldwide. Through these initiatives, the hub continues to drive meaningful progress in tackling global disaster challenges.

Also read: Can Southeast Asia’s climate tech heroes bridge the gap between profit and planet?

The collaboration continues: SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards

Looking ahead, the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards 2025 promises to continue its legacy of uncovering and promoting transformative solutions that save lives, protect communities, and expedite recovery in the aftermath of disasters. This initiative aligns seamlessly with e27’s mission to empower startups and drive meaningful innovation across Southeast Asia and beyond. The in-person finals will take place at Echelon 2025, a key gathering for tech innovators and entrepreneurs hosted by e27, on 11 June 2025.

Through its robust platform, e27 enables community members to access a comprehensive global directory of disaster tech providers. As a result, it bridges the gap between innovative solutions and the organizations, governments, and NGOs that need them most. By showcasing groundbreaking innovations and fostering collaboration, e27 enhances disaster risk management and preparedness efforts on a global scale. The SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards 2025 is set to further leverage this platform, creating opportunities for startups to shine while reinforcing a collective commitment to building resilient communities worldwide.

Want to join the D-Tech Community Hub? Sign up here!

Also read: Living in the age of disasters: How global partnerships are shaping D-Tech

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This article is produced by the e27 team

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