Republic Polytechnic’s Digital Business Challenge (DBC) 2025 returned with a meaningful twist – this year’s theme? Empowering groundups.
Held in collaboration with National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) and BAGUS (Building All Groundups for Success), this two-day challenge saw students diving headfirst into the world of digital innovation, coming up with bold, sustainable solutions to help groundups thrive..
From Ideas to Action
The challenge featured seven inspiring groundups: Fashion Parade, Museum of Food, Digi-up!, 32 Pages, Together for Good, Migrant Health Matters, and Project Gift of Song.
For many students, this was their first brush with industry projects – a rare opportunity to apply creativity to real-world causes. After attending a hands-on workshop in digital marketing, teams had just two days to brainstorm, prototype, and pitch their solutions. Their final task? Present their ideas in a compelling ten-minute pitch to a panel of judges from Republic Polytechnic and the partnering groundups.
The Power of Music: Project Gift of Song
One of the most moving groundups featured this year was Project Gift of Song, a youth-led groundup started by NTU medical student Loh Pei Yi. The initiative works with palliative care providers to co-create personalised songs for terminally ill patients, offering them comfort and honouring their life stories through music.
“We celebrate life while embracing mortality,” said Pei Yi. “Through music, we bring emotional support to families and raise awareness about end-of-life issues.”
At the event booth, visitors got a glimpse into this mission – including touching sheet music composed for past patients.
Sixteen-year-old Tan Jing Yang, a longtime volunteer and project leader, shared what fuels the team: “We don’t have big dreams or want to fix the world. We just want to bring joy to people. Music helps people open up and embrace their emotions, even with strangers.”
Building Visions — One LEGO® Brick at a Time
In a surprising and memorable moment, students were challenged to build their team’s vision using LEGO® bricks – turning childhood toys into tools of reflection and storytelling.
Ms Majella Tay, a Certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Facilitator and Lecturer at Republic Polytechnic’s School of Business, encouraged students to translate their values and aspirations into a tangible creation, promoting team bonding, purpose alignment, and a playful approach to serious problem-solving.
“The LEGO® activity was simple but powerful. It helped us understand each other better and think more creatively,” said one participant from Compassvale Secondary School.
Spotlight on Innovation: Team 12’s “Mortality Mixtape”
Among the standout entries was Team 12 from Compassvale Secondary School, who walked away as Cluster 3 winners. Representing Project Gift of Song, their campaign idea, Mortality Mixtape – invited the public to create personal mixtapes for patients.
It wasn’t just about music. It was about empathy, connection, and giving voice to emotions that are often hard to express. The judges were impressed by the team’s emotional intelligence, creativity, and sharp grasp of digital engagement.
The Bigger Picture: Learning to Lead with Purpose
While the challenge culminated in awards and applause, its true value lay in how it shaped students’ mindsets.
Through real-life exposure to groundup work, participants learned what it means to be purpose-driven entrepreneurs. From digital upskilling to storytelling, the DBC experience equipped students with tools that go far beyond the classroom.
To extend the impact of their campaigns beyond the classroom, students also took part in an online People’s Choice Award. Each team’s marketing post was published on Instagram, where the public voted by liking their favourites.
Zhenghua Secondary (Team 19) and Hua Yi Secondary (Team 16) emerged as the top two teams, each garnering over 300 likes, a testament to their strong messaging and public appeal.
Celebrating Excellence: DBC 2025 Winning Teams
The challenge wrapped up with winning teams across three clusters, recognised for their creativity, social impact, and strength in digital storytelling. Schools that emerged as winners included Hua Yi Secondary School, Zhenghua Secondary School, Compassvale Secondary School, CHIJ St Joseph’s Convent, Christ Church Secondary School and Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School.
Looking Ahead
DBC 2025 wasn’t just a competition – it was a launchpad for a new generation of changemakers. Whether helping migrant workers, supporting mental health, or promoting sustainability, every idea shared carried one common thread: the belief that young people can create real impact.
And judging by the energy, passion, and thoughtfulness in the room, that belief is already becoming reality – one brilliant idea at a time.
