Jonathan Lun wins Singularity U’s Global Impact Challenge Southern Africa

Jonathan Lun, a Wits and Stellenbosch University alum, has been named the winner of Singularity University’s Global Impact Challenge Southern Africa 2017.

Lun, 32, was last night (10 May) given the honour at a Johannesburg pitching event hosted by Singularity University.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to be offered this life-changing experience. The support from friends, family and colleagues has been astounding and I hope to make them proud,” he tells Memeburn.

Climate change was the central theme of this year’s challenge, with other entrants focussing on recycling and transport among other novel solutions. But Lun’s ambitious asteroid metal-fueled rocket solution was deemed the most promising by the judges.

Entrepreneurs and business people Benji Coetzee, Michael Schmid, Brett Jordaan and Spencer Horne were among the five finalists who also pitched their innovations.

Jonathan Lun has been given a full scholarship to attend Singularity University’s Global Solutions Programme in Silicon Valley

When Memeburn interviewed Lun prior to the event, he called Singularity University “the perfect place to share and refine this idea with like-minded people who pursue ambitious and grand efforts to build the future.”

Lun will now be afforded that opportunity.

Along with earning the title of Global Impact Challenge Southern Africa 2017 winner, Lun has been awarded a complete scholarship to Singularity University’s nine-week Global Solutions Programme (GSP), taking place in Silicon Valley.

The GSP will begin on 17 June and will run until 17 August.

Memeburn is SingularityU Cape Town and Johannesburg Chapters’ official media partner.