To support the growth of promising startups in the infocomm and media sector, Singapore has launched a new programme called SG:D spark.
The main aim of the programme is to address the challenges faced by businesses in the infocomm media sector and support them through selected Government grants and access to industry community partners.
S Iswaran, Minister for Communications and Information of Singapore launched the programme at the inaugural Singapore Digital Techblazer awards at the Resorts World Sentosa Convention Centre. The programme is aimed at Business to Business and Business-to-Consumer customers.
Emphasising the need for developing the infocomm media sector, Iswaran said, “Infocomm media is a key driver of Singapore's economy, and needs to be developed further to serve new demand.”
“Through the support from subject matter experts within the community together with Government tools, we aim to provide the resources, knowledge and network that are essential to the companies’ growth,” said Iswaran.
The SG:D spark programme will help the start-ups to be able to access and leverage existing TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) manpower programmes to support and scale their businesses.
They will also get priority processing of grant applications by IMDA as well as access to community events and professional service firms and industry mentors, among other benefits.
The industry partners and Institutes of Higher Learning that will support these companies include Facebook and the National University of Singapore.
Howie Lau, IMDA Chief Industry Development Officer, said, “The programme aims to close certain gaps that start-ups face such as getting access to funds and talent and leveraging multiple resources.”
“It is about helping them to get access to potentially new customers – including the Government as a customer, get access to talent and helping them with a community of support services as well – whether it's legal, whether it’s with accounting or others,” he said.
“Companies that we're looking at – AI, blockchain, Internet of Things. But at the same time any of the start-ups that are there that have a very strong tech-innovation angle can apply,” added Lau.
