Just sharing an event that I’m organising this Thursday. I’m currently driving the Data Innovation Challenge initiative, enabled by DEXTRA over at Newton Circus for the past year or so. And whether you’re a data enthusiast who’s familiar with big data, or are generally just keen on finding out more (and finally understanding what the heck big data is), this event’s will be a great introduction to the world of big data and analytics for you.

The Data Innovation Challenge is an initiative by the iDA to connect User Enterprises and Data Providers with Data Specialistss, so as to harness the value of data for their business, and DEXTRA is the platform created by Newton Circus in support of the initiative. In a nutshell, we provide a challenge platform that connects companies with data-driven challenges to a community of data specialists, so that real-world business challenges are matched with the right solutions that are backed by data.

The concept is pretty cool, if I may say so myself. And if you’re still somewhat baffled, check out the explainer video:

So, 2013 has been an amazing year: We had our launch party in June last year, organised 2 workshops, and rolled out our first challenge by DSM. And you’re invite to come celebrate with us as we usher in the new year!

Here is what we have in store for you:

DSM Sales Forecasting Challenge Round-up: Our winning teams from the DSM Challenge will be giving you lightning presentations on their winning models and ideas. Ms Clara Lee, Director of Business Information Global for DSM, will also be sharing on the experience and memorable moments of running a Data Innovation Challenge from the challenge host’s perspective.

Silverline Challenge Announcement: Our next Data Innovation Challenge host, Silverline, will also be announced at the workshop. Silverline creates the first Mobile Senior Ecosystem with the Smartphone as the Hub, and aims to define the future of mobile media, community, security and health for Seniors. Be part of this amazing revolution of bringing Smartphones to the Seniors by participating in this challenge where you can use data innovation to come up with creative ideas to help shape the development of Silverline!

DEXTRA Workshop Segment:
(1) Structural Equation Modeling by Dr Chan Siew Pang, a practicing medical statistician with formal education in statistics, decision sciences and industrial engineering. He founded the world’s only state-approved Stata User Group in Singapore in 2008, while serving as the programme head of business analytics at SIM University. Keen to apply structural equation models in urban and epidemiological studies, he has published over 90 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals.

(2) Data Visualization by Yin Shanyang (“Yang”), who tinkers with technology through the entity Swarm. Yang is the man behind cool projects like Observing Taxi Behaviour, Observing Train Disruptions, and even the Singapore Elections Tracker for GE2011.

So come and have a few beers with us, chat with our challenge host and exchange ideas with other data specialists and enthusiasts in the DEXTRA community. See you there!