Three teams from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) won the top awards at the DST Innovation Awards Ceremony for Catalyst Programme Cycle 3, presenting digital solutions designed to address everyday needs in Brunei.
Team JimatBah! claimed the Champion title and a cash prize of $2,500 for their online platform that connects restaurants and cafés with buyers seeking affordable, quality meals. Their solution aims to reduce food waste, enhance food security and promote responsible consumption.
First runner-up Team BruWang received $1,500 for developing a local freelancing platform. It connects skilled individuals, such as plumbers, bakers and delivery runners, with clients, empowering communities by transforming everyday skills into income opportunities.
The second runner-up prize of $1,000 went to Team FinLab for their prepaid digital wallet designed for fuel stations. The innovation enables fast, secure and cashless fuel payments while offering loyalty rewards and data-driven insights to improve customer engagement.
Catalyst Programme Cycle 3 was a direct collaboration with UNISSA, with all participants coming from the university as the academic partner. Hosted and led by DST InnoLab, the programme is DST’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to support youth innovation and national talent development. This partnership reflects DST’s broader commitment to engaging Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) to nurture a strong innovation ecosystem in Brunei.
Through such programmes, DST provides students and researchers with real-world entrepreneurial exposure, industry mentorship, and opportunities to develop market-ready solutions. The initiative aims to accelerate the creation of digital solutions that are commercially viable, socially impactful, and aligned with Brunei’s digital economy opportunities.
DST InnoLab serves as the primary platform for nurturing digital innovation within the DST ecosystem. It empowers young talent, start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs by providing access to mentorship, technical resources, business guidance, and commercial pathways. Furthermore, InnoLab collaborates with partners like the Brunei Innovation Lab (BIL), offering participants the space, tools, and support to prototype, test, and validate their solutions, moving ideas from theory toward real-world application and potential commercialisation.
The journey for the participating teams continues beyond the awards. They will receive ongoing start-up support through the Brunei Innovation Lab (BIL), gaining access to resources, mentorship, and development programmes. Selected participants will also join the DST Apprenticeship Programme, a 12-month placement offering hands-on experience, industry mentorship, and exposure to real-world innovation practices within DST’s ecosystem.
DST’s Catalyst Programme continues to serve as a launchpad for Brunei’s innovators, fostering a spirit of creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship among youth and professionals alike.
The ceremony was attended by Rector of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Norarfan Haji Zainal and Chief Executive Officer of DST Radin Sufri Radin Basiuni.
For more information about DST InnoLab and its programmes, contact (+673) 7191515, email innolab@dst.com.bn, or follow @dstinnolab on Instagram.
THE BRUNEIAN | BRUNEI-MUARA
