Sands China Expands Its Initiatives To Drive Innovation and Technology Development in Macao

Las Vegas Sands

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 4, 2024 / At the end of last year, Sands China announced the inaugural winners of the Sands Innovation Challenge, a smart-tourism competition to drive innovation and technology development in Macao. It was the latest offering in the company's extensive roster of initiatives targeting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a core commitment Sands China has made to the health and prosperity of Macao and the Greater Bay Area region.

A collaboration between Sands China and BEYOND Expo, the challenge was held in conjunction with the new Sands Resorts Incubation Centre, a program that draws on Sands China's extensive industry expertise and business acumen to offer participating companies access to valuable knowledge, resources and an integrated resort setting where digital solutions can be applied.

Through the center, participating technology businesses develop and refine products and services at Sands China's properties, which provide a real-world environment to turn ground-breaking ideas into viable solutions that can lead to actual business opportunities. The initiative is part of Sands China's support for the Macao SAR government's efforts to develop smart tourism and high-tech industries.

As one of the center's first major initiatives, the Sands Innovation Challenge encouraged development of technology solutions to improve the visitor experience in Macao as well as stimulate improved performance in sustainability and environmental impact. The challenge's three winners - Hai Robotics; Jiangsu OWIN Biotechnology Co., LTD; and Laiye HK Limited - created projects in the areas of intelligent warehouse robotic solutions, food waste resource recycling solutions and AI consumption identification technology, respectively.

The Sands Resorts Incubation Centre and the Sands Innovation Challenge are the latest offerings in Sands China's multi-faceted approach to delivering tangible support for SME advancement. The company focuses SME programs in two areas: building their capacity for success and helping them generate business opportunities.

The Sands Resorts Incubation Centre provides support to technology entrepreneurs in both areas by offering seminars and workshops, as well as business competitions and technology development opportunities at the company's resorts.

Building Capacity

In conjunction with the launch of the Sands Resorts Incubation Centre, Sands China announced a partnership with Parafuturo de Macau Investment and Development Limited (PFM) to offer workshops, classroom trainings and competition events aimed at enhancing the development of Macao's young entrepreneurs and support the growth of local small, medium and micro suppliers.