Enterprise Singapore expands GIA network to London; launches new acceleration programmes
SINGAPORE (Nov 13): Enterprise Singapore on Wednesday announced a series of Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) partnerships and programmes at the Singapore FinTech Festival and the Singapore Week of Innovation and TeCHnology (SFF x SWITCH 2019).
Through these, Enterprise Singapore aims to help support the foray of local tech startups and SMEs into the UK, China, Indonesia and Japan.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced that Enterprise Singapore will be expanding its GIA network to include London, which will help integrate these startups and SMEs into London’s innovation ecosystem, and boost innovation and business partnerships between the two countries.
To drive this, Enterprise Singapore inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UK-based accelerator IoT Tribe, to facilitate a two-way exchange of companies between the two countries.
As part of the GIA, IoT Tribe will run two GIA Acceleration Programmes – IoT Tribe SG Plus and IoT Tribe SG – supported by Enterprise Singapore. The inaugural cohorts for both programmes will commence in 1Q20, with up to 10 participants in each.
IoT Tribe SG Plus is targeted at local startups and SMEs which are keen to expand into the UK and Europe. The in-market programme comprises of workshops, networking opportunities and a one-week immersion in London, where participants will meet potential customers, investors and partners in the UK.
On the other hand, IoT Tribe SG is a soft-landing programme for Europe-based startups, enabling them to leverage the established ecosystem and talent here to springboard into Asia.
Edwin Chow, Assistant CEO for Innovation and Enterprise at Enterprise Singapore, says, “To transform an idea into an innovative solution that can scale globally, startups and SMEs need to have the right partners. Through the Global Innovation Alliance, Enterprise Singapore has set up a network of partners globally that our companies can tap for ideas, contacts and collaborations.”
Separately, Enterprise Singapore is also working with three new GIA partners in Beijing, Jakarta, and Tokyo. These cities will provide further assistance to Singapore startups and SMEs in the respective markets.
The GIA network now has connections to 13 countries globally. These include Bangkok, Suzhou, Shanghai, Berlin, Munich, Paris, San Fransisco, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangalore.
