Three youth-led teams from Brunei Darussalam recently showcased their sustainability innovations on a regional stage at the ASEAN-China-India Youth Leadership Summit (ACIYLS) 2025 in Singapore.
The teams, PhytoBrunei, BotaNovi and BrewCycle secured their place at the Grand Finals after emerging as the top three winners of the Brunei Darussalam Round Sustainability Startathon.
This national competition, which concluded in early September, challenged participants over five intensive weeks with a startup bootcamp, workshops, mentorship, pitch clinics, and sessions with industry experts, all aimed at fostering youth capacity in entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability.
PhytoBrunei, which took first place, developed a Floating Phytoremediation Platform designed to tackle water pollution and strengthen wooden stilts in Kampong Ayer using eco-treated bamboo and vetiver grass.
“We began this journey as part of ACIYLS, but we came away with a deeper understanding of the real struggles faced by communities in Kampong Ayer. This experience strengthened our commitment to creating meaningful and lasting change,” said Izzuddyn Zulaiani, Team Lead of PhytoBrunei and a native resident of Kampong Ayer.
BotaNovi, securing second place, created AgriFlo, a biodegradable sanitary pad made entirely from underutilised banana agricultural waste, addressing both plastic pollution and menstrual health challenges.
“When you want to protect the environment, you can’t just read about it – you have to touch the waste, meet the people, and see where change must begin,” reflected Aida Nabilah Pg Hj Dahlan, Team Lead of BotaNovi.
“Winning 2nd place was an honour, but the real reward was finding our purpose in sustainability.”
BrewCycle, the third-place winner, explored biofuel innovation by repurposing spent coffee grounds into sustainable energy briquettes, offering an alternative to traditional charcoal and reducing waste and pollution.
The Brunei Darussalam Round Sustainability Startathon was led locally by ThinkX Global in collaboration with OSG Youth Alliance and Resolute Communications, the main organisers of ACIYLS 2025.
The initiative received strong support from key institutions, including Universiti Brunei Darussalam, which hosted workshops and Finals Pitch Day, and SDG Secretariat Brunei Darussalam and Brunei Climate Change Office, which provided expert mentorship to align solutions with national sustainability priorities.
Corporate partner Armada Properties Sdn Bhd also played a crucial role, providing mentorship and sponsoring BrewCycle’s travel to Singapore.
“Mentoring the teams really reminded me how much potential young people have when they’re given a platform. With just a bit of guidance, they can turn their ideas into something tangible and meaningful,” said Ms Diana Ramli, Strategic Management Manager of Armada Properties.
The Grand Finals at SWITCH – the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology – will bring together top youth teams from across ASEAN, China, and India. Delegates will showcase their sustainability-driven solutions, participate in dialogue sessions with global leaders, and explore regional collaboration opportunities.
“We are proud to see Bruneian youths representing our country on a regional innovation stage like SWITCH. This is more than just a competition. It is about empowering young leaders to build a future that is mindful, sustainable, and entrepreneurial,” said Angie Ang, local country partner of ACIYLS 2025 Brunei Darussalam Round Sustainability Startathon and Director and Brunei Lead of ThinkX Global.
Brunei’s participation in ACIYLS 2025 underscores the nation’s growing innovation ecosystem and the critical role of youth in driving sustainable, climate-resilient solutions for the future.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
