The Social Venture Challenge 2010 is part of Digi’s Deep Green Challenge for change programme that features the best of Malaysian green technologies and ideas. It is open to universities and colleges nationwide. It is aligned with Digi’s Deep Green programme which addresses energy efficiency within the company’s business and broader areas of sustainability with related stakeholders. Deep Green includes key initiatives involving Digi’s network, information technology (IT) systems, building and facilities, fleet and initiatives with employees, customers, partners and the community.

The aim of the Social Venture Competition was to bring together Malaysians to showcase the best ideas that can be taken through to commercialisation, covering the categories of energy, environment, agriculture and education. The EvZone Team from the Engineering Campus, USM beats 8 other finalists to win the RM10,000 grand prize with their entry of Ezone – Web Based Solution, called My One Village. It provides services such as e-Agriculture, Agri-Tourism and e-Trade that can enhance the value of our community broadband centres (CBCs) in the communities Digi serve. Digi has 14 CBCs nationwide.

The team has come up with the solutions because they realised that each community has unique attractions, ranging from food to handicraft. The other team from USM who made it to the final was the Green Buzz team.

Twenty-seven teams from 13 local universities took part in the competition and 9 teams made it to the finals. Through this competition, the finalists gain experiential learning from the social entrepreneurs and industry experts, and was exposed to the Digi’s business culture.