Deft at blending AI with design practices? Granite Asia wants you

Finalists of the Design AI and Tech Awards will be given consultation hours with Jenny Lee, Granite Asia’s senior managing partner. / Photo credit: Granite Asia

Innovators from enterprises big and small, get ready to rally.

The newly launched Design AI and Tech Awards (Daita) has a fresh backer: multi-asset investment firm Granite Asia. The company is offering all finalists a golden ticket to its network and consultation hours with its senior managing partner, Jenny Lee.

Jointly organized by The Business Times and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Daita aims to stir innovators from startups and companies into harnessing design and technology to develop groundbreaking solutions that tackle real-life business challenges.

Lee said the true potential of AI lies in its capacity to solve real-world problems and to deliver meaningful value to businesses and communities.

“Daita provides a vital platform to spotlight innovations that showcase the practical impact of AI in addressing complex challenges,” she added. “By supporting this initiative, we are not just recognizing great ideas. We are opening doors to capital, connecting entrepreneurs to Granite Asia’s network of operators and advisors, and offering exclusive master classes from leaders across our portfolio.”

Lee also highlighted that the goal is to foster meaningful conversations, build trust, and inspire more people and businesses to unlock AI’s transformative potential. Her portfolio includes 21 companies valued at more than US$1 billion each.

Tai Lee Siang, SUTD’s deputy president and chief innovation and enterprise officer, said that “Granite Asia’s endorsement is significant on so many fronts, not least the fact that it immediately exposes all participants to a wide network of potential investors and partners.”

He chairs the Daita judging panel, which comprises Chen Huifen, editor at The Business Times; Dawn Lim, executive director at DesignSingapore Council; Farizan d’Avezac De Moran, senior partner at GreenA Consultants; Laurence Liew, director for AI innovation at AI Singapore; and John Ochsendorf, founding director of MIT Morningside Academy for Design.

“Granite Asia’s dedication to supporting innovation aligns with the award’s mission to celebrate outstanding design and technology solutions that address real-world challenges,” said The Business Times‘ Chen. “We are confident that its support will empower shortlisted companies, unlocking new opportunities and driving further innovation.”

Daita has three award categories: Product Design, System Design, and Spatial Design. They will have three finalists each, and a prize will go to the top solution in each category. Winning contenders will be invited to a presentation event.

The nine finalists will gain access to Granite Asia’s events, master classes, and networking opportunities, and the three top solutions will land additional consultation hours. Participants have until January 15, 2025 to submit their entries.

More information about Daita is available here.

This story was republished with permission from The Business Times. It was moderately edited to reflect Tech in Asia’s editorial guidelines.