The partnership will connect Nigeria's maritime ecosystem to global standards, networks, and capital by leveraging Plug and Play's international corporate partnerships, accelerator expertise, and cross-border innovation infrastructure.

At its core, the collaboration will launch a dedicated maritime & energy innovation platform focused on advancing engineering-led technologies across maritime, energy, supply chain, and logistics sectors. The initiative will involve the development of a startup pipeline between Nigeria and Singapore, widely regarded as one of the world's most advanced maritime & energy innovation ecosystems serving as a neutral and trusted testbed for technology validation. 

Through this program, selected startups will receive:

• Access to cutting-edge technologies and global industry insights
• Structured mentorship from international maritime & energy innovation leaders
• Pilot and proof-of-concept opportunities in a globally benchmarked ecosystem
• Commercialization pathways into the Nigerian market
• Business development and investor-readiness support
• Opportunities for cross-border partnerships and market expansion

By ensuring that solutions being scaled into Nigeria have been validated in overseas markets the program minimizes adoption risks while accelerating technology transfer and investment flows into the Nigerian maritime & energy sector.

"Engineering-driven innovation is critical to solving some of the world's most complex challenges—from sustainable shipping to the decarbonization of marine operations," said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner, APAC, Plug and Play. "By partnering with NIMENA, we are creating a trusted bridge between global innovation ecosystems and Nigeria's maritime & energy sector, unlocking pathways for international collaboration and long-term competitiveness."

"This partnership marks a transformative step for Nigeria's energy and maritime innovation ecosystem," said Dr. Eferebo Sylvanus, National Chairman, NIMENA. "By aligning with global standards and connecting our local talent to international platforms, we are creating new opportunities for Nigerian innovators to scale their solutions beyond borders while strengthening our national capabilities."

Addressing Critical Ecosystem Gaps

1. Strengthening Ecosystem Alignment

To address fragmentation across government, academia, and industry stakeholders, Plug and Play has conducted a comprehensive ecosystem assessment. This data-driven evaluation examines capital access, talent pipelines, infrastructure readiness, and regulatory frameworks—culminating in a Strategic Ambition and Vertical Map for Nigeria's maritime sector.

2. Creating a Stronger Investment Pipeline

While sector-specific funding opportunities exist, structured validation and vetting mechanisms remain limited. Under this partnership, Plug and Play will curate high-potential stage agnostic startups directing capital toward scalable, innovation-driven ventures with strong technical and commercial viability.

3. Enabling Global Market Access

The partnership will provide stage-agnostic startups with exposure to large corporations, regulators, and investors. Successful technologies will transition into exploring scaling opportunities in Nigeria for commercialization, positioning Nigeria as a high-growth destination for innovation across Africa.

A Bridge Between Global Trust and Local Scale

More than an accelerator program, the Plug and Play–NIMENA partnership is designed as a long-term platform for trust-building, knowledge transfer, and ecosystem anchoring.

Singapore will serve as the gateway for technology validation and international credibility, while Nigeria will serve as the destination for scaling, commercialization, and impact. This dual-ecosystem model ensures that cutting-edge solutions are introduced with global benchmarks while enabling sustainable, locally anchored growth.

As international startups expand into Nigeria, they will establish local operations, drive knowledge transfer, build intellectual property, and create high-value employment opportunities. Over time, this approach will not only attract foreign innovators but also catalyze the rise of homegrown Nigerian startups capable of contributing solutions to the global maritime industry.

By combining NIMENA's technical leadership with Plug and Play's global innovation infrastructure, the partnership represents a decisive step toward positioning Nigeria as an innovation hub for Africa, and a leader for maritime, energy, and adjacent industries for the region, ultimately strengthening competitiveness, accelerating entrepreneurship and advancement of technologies in their market, and aligning the national ecosystem with global best practices.

For partnership and participation inquiries:

Industry stakeholders interested in partnering are invited to connect with the team. We are actively seeking corporate and institutional partners to collaborate on pilot projects, proof-of-concept initiatives, and ecosystem development efforts. Global startups developing solutions across maritime, energy, logistics, supply chain, and related sectors are also encouraged to reach out to be considered for participation in the program.

For more information, please contact  nimena-program@pnptc.com

About the partners:

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is the leading global innovation platform connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Plug and Play operates in more than 60 locations across five continents, helping corporate partners and founders in every stage of the innovation journey — from education to execution. Plug and Play runs startup acceleration programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house venture capital platform that has invested in hundreds of successful companies, including Dropbox, PayPal, Honey, LendingClub, N26, and Rappi. For more information, visit https://www.plugandplayapac.com/

About the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA)

The Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA) is a professional body consisting of Naval Architects, Marine Engineers, and allied professions. NIMENA is dedicated to strengthening professional standards, fostering technological innovation, promoting capacity, and sustainable development in Nigeria's maritime sector. The institution provides thought leadership, professional development opportunities, technical workshops, and industry events to support maritime engineering excellence and capacity building. For more information, visit https://nimena.org.ng/home.html

Plug and Play, with its vast global ecosystem of startups, corporates, and mentors, as well as a proven track record in designing and operating accelerator programs, brings valuable expertise in scaling climate technologies and fostering meaningful industry connections.

"Plug and Play focuses on helping the best startups move faster, from idea to impact," said Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play. "At Plug and Play, one thing we've noticed is how hard it can be for great technologies to make the leap from pilot discussions to real adoption. We've worked with thousands of startups and hundreds of large enterprises, and we see how long timelines, complex decision layers, and uncertainty around next steps can stall even the most promising solutions. Through this partnership with the Amazon Devices Climate Tech Accelerator, we're giving tech companies the best chance for success by providing access to the connections and resources they need to scale."

"We're excited to partner with Amazon to support the growth of companies looking to make a real impact in reducing carbon emissions," said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner of Plug and Play APAC. "Together with Amazon, we've built a different type of accelerator. One that focuses on senior leadership engagement, accelerated integration pathways, faster feedback loops, and measurable carbon-reduction outcomes – ensuring the right decision makers are in the room to assess opportunities for integration into millions of Amazon devices. Plug and Play will leverage our network and expertise to provide them with dedicated, hands-on guidance, presenting a unique opportunity to translate their ideas into scalable solutions that yield tangible results."

Streamlining the path from validation to adoption opportunity, this program breaks down traditional industry barriers and accelerates collaboration between climate tech innovators and enterprise decision-makers. Participating companies will be equipped with skills and opportunities to explore potential collaborations with Amazon devices.

As part of the program, companies will engage with Amazon's senior leadership and receive technical mentorship from Plug and Play's venture team of engineering, sustainability, and manufacturing experts. The program structure includes bi-weekly progress reviews, weekly cohort office hours, and specialized workshops focused on technical integration and Amazon-specific processes. Plug and Play and Amazon will support participating companies in building their Integration Assessment document, including technical analysis, cost/benefit evaluation, and commercial viability assessment, leading up to their final pitch to senior leadership from Amazon Devices & Services. Additionally, eligible companies will receive up to $100,000 in AWS Activate Credits to build, grow, and scale. Companies do not have to give up any equity to participate in this program.

"The primary goal of our Climate Tech Accelerator is simple — to speed up efforts to reduce the carbon impact of our devices," said Maiken Moeller-Hansen, Director, Energy & Sustainability, Amazon Devices & Services. "Participants will receive dedicated support from Amazon technical leaders, who will evaluate and help validate the deployment potential of their technologies. This is a unique and collaborative program that resembles how Amazon works—we're excited to work with participants in the 2026 cohort, and excited about the potential to accelerate the inclusion of climate-friendly technologies in our devices."

The program's inaugural cohort in 2025 comprised 14 companies of various stages, each developing technologies to reduce device and supply-chain emissions.

"As a publicly traded company, developing strategic enterprise accounts is critical. This program condensed three to four years of pitching and validating into six months. It gave us a more direct path to engage with Amazon's technical and leadership teams," says 2025 cohort participant Ronnie Tao, VP of Sales, Amprius Technologies, which manufactures advanced silicon batteries that deliver greater energy and power density.

"For companies at that next growth inflection point, this is a great program. We've shipped a million units over eight years to hundreds of customers. But there's a gray zone for companies like ours — too established for traditional company programs, but not yet at consumer electronics scale for enterprise partnerships. This accelerator bridges that gap." Mike Casper, Co-founder & CEO, Azumo, a display technology company and a 2025 cohort participant.

"Being immersed in the mechanisms that Amazon has used to go from a bookstore to launching rockets, that alone is incredibly insightful. That's been the most surprising thing about the program, the openness with which Amazon has shared their processes and tools with us — enabling us to collaborate seamlessly using the same decision-making frameworks." Mark Herrema, Co-Founder & CEO, Aircarbon, a company making a biomaterial made from air and greenhouse gas, a 2025 Accelerator participant.

The Amazon Devices Climate Tech Accelerator is open to companies in the following sectors:

• Displays: Innovations that can decarbonize displays or components that support them across initial design, manufacturing, customer usage, and recycling.
  
  
• Printed Circuit Boards and Assemblies (PCBs and PCBAs): Innovations for PCBs and PCBAs that can increase material usage efficiency and waste reduction, such as biodegradable PCBs and additive manufacturing processes.
  
  
• Low Carbon Materials: Innovations that significantly reduce carbon emissions in device components, plastics (PC and PC/ABS), textiles, and packaging materials, with a focus on sustainable alternatives to styrofoam and other high-impact packaging materials. Examples include sustainable polymers, recycled materials, bio-based alternatives, and low-carbon manufacturing processes.
  
  
• Semiconductors: Innovations that reduce the environmental impact of semiconductor manufacturing, including energy-efficient fabrication processes, sustainable materials for chip production, and technologies that can increase lifetime and enable reuse or minimize water usage, chemical waste, and emissions from semiconductor facilities.
  
  
• Device Batteries: Innovations for Amazon device batteries that can increase recycled content, promote efficiency, extend battery life, and/or reduce their manufacturing footprint.
  
  
• Energy efficiency: Innovations that can reduce energy needs on displays, cameras, and speakers. Examples are sensors, microphones, networking equipment, and other components impacting power consumption.
  
  
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI Innovations that can unlock new pathways to optimize product life cycle energy consumption and product carbon footprint. Examples include identifying alternative design and manufacturing techniques, enabling more energy-efficient product use, improving data collection and lifecycle assessment (LCA) for emissions measurement, extending hardware lifetime, and enhancing circularity through repairability, recyclability, and reuse.
  
  
• Circularity: Innovations that can facilitate Amazon's shift towards closed-loop materials management and a more circular economy for Amazon devices and data center hardware, such as product lifetime expansion, and recovery and reuse of critical components (e.g., magnets, batteries, PCBs, lithium, copper, nickel), and advanced robotics and AI-enabled processes for component extraction and refurbishment.
  
  
• Manufacturing Processes: Innovations in manufacturing processes that transform traditional factories into smart, sustainable operations through advanced digital technologies and flexible automation. Examples are digital twin simulations that can reduce the number of builds and support MFG (Manufacturing Technology), standardized eco-friendly adhesive and primer applications, factory footprint reduction opportunities, and reconfigurable robotics and adjustable machine fixtures to reduce the need for multiple specialized fixtures.

The deadline for applications is 24 February 2026. Successful applicants will kick off the program in May 2026 with a launch event in Hong Kong SAR.

Interested companies can apply online here.

About Plug and Play 

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we're present in 60+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries, where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies, including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. 

Our Asia Pacific headquarters was launched in Singapore in 2010, and we are now present in five cities in Southeast Asia with additional locations in China, Japan, Korea and India. We work closely with both the public and private sectors with programs, innovation initiatives, and startup investments across the region. 

For more information, visit https://www.plugandplayapac.com 

Designed to equip Cambodian startups with the knowledge, connections, and inspiration to scale across the region and beyond, this half-day event brings together founders, corporate leaders, investors, and government stakeholders. The agenda features a workshop on successful business expansion, a regional market insights panel focused on Southeast Asia, a Startup Open Mic session for founders to pitch their ideas, and networking opportunities to spark new collaborations.

Plug and Play, a Silicon Valley-based global open innovation platform, has an established presence in Asia Pacific through its Singapore headquarters, connecting corporates, startups, and venture capitalists within its vast ecosystem. Its expansion into Cambodia reaffirms the organization's commitment to nurturing high-potential markets and accelerating growth through strategic collaboration and global reach.

"Through our Community Series and the partnerships we've built with MPTC and ATC, Plug and Play aims to empower local startups with the resources, networks, and expertise they need to scale regionally and internationally. Founders, corporates, and investors are welcome to join us at this event and be part of shaping Cambodia's innovation story," said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner, Plug and Play APAC.

"Cambodia's startup scene is entering a new chapter—defined by partnership, investment, and regional scale," said H.E. So Visothy, Secretary of State, Ministry of Post and Telecommunications of Cambodia. "Together with Plug and Play and the AUPP Technology Center, we are connecting startup founders to global networks and opportunities to grow across ASEAN and beyond. We invite corporate leaders and investors to join us in turning Cambodia's talent and ideas into world-class companies. By nurturing innovation and bold ideas, we are laying the groundwork for Cambodia to become a regional hub for entrepreneurship and digital innovation—strengthening the startup ecosystem, driving regional leadership, and shaping not just the future of startups, but the future of Cambodia's economy as a whole."

As Plug and Play Cambodia officially begins its journey with support from MPTC and ATC, this Community Series event represents the beginning of a broader effort to accelerate innovation, attract investment, and enable Cambodian startups to scale internationally through its Silicon Valley connections and global ecosystem.

More information about the event is available on the official event website: https://www.plugandplayapac.com/cambodia-community-series

About Plug and Play 

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we're present in 60+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries, where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi.

Our Asia Pacific headquarters was launched in Singapore in 2010 and we are now present in five cities in Southeast Asia with additional locations in China, Japan, Korea and India. We work closely with both the public and private sector with programs, innovation initiatives, and startup investments across the region.

For more information, visit https://www.plugandplayapac.com

About the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC)

The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) is the government ministry managing Cambodia's postal and telecommunications systems. Based in Phnom Penh, MPTC promotes effective network infrastructure connectivity and accessible services of Post, Telecommunications, and ICT sectors across the Kingdom of Cambodia, the region, and the world in order to contribute to socioeconomic development.

MPTC focuses on expanding effective, reliable, and secure infrastructure, modernizing services, and ensuring nationwide coverage. The ministry promotes digital development at all levels of government to enhance public service delivery, supports ICT awareness and capacity building, encourages investment and R&D, and upholds regulatory compliance to ensure fair competition and consumer protection.

For more information, visit https://mptc.gov.kh/en/

About AUPP Technology Center (ATC)

The AUPP Technology Center (ATC) is a platform where technology startups, corporates, and professionals can create value and unlock potential. By providing space, resources, guidance, and mentorship to selected tech startups in Cambodia, ATC helps propel them to a global scale, contributing to the transformation of the Cambodian digital economy. At the same time, global technology companies gain access to Cambodia's growing market and emerging talent through ATC.

ATC is also home to the Center of Leadership and Professional Development (CLPD), which hosts professional and leadership training programs focused on corporate and leadership development. These programs bridge skill gaps along the corporate growth journey by developing industry-specific and key management capabilities, equipping Cambodian professionals and employers with world-class learning and development solutions.

For more information, visit https://www.aupptechcenter.com

"We're proud to welcome Plug and Play to Taoyuan City," said Cheng Chang, Director, Economic Development Department of Taoyuan City Government. "This collaboration reflects our commitment to becoming a global hub for innovation and advanced technology. We look forward to supporting local and international startups as they grow and thrive here."

To build on the momentum of its recent launch, Plug and Play Taiwan is now opening applications for Batch 1. The program, focused on startups innovating in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, IoT, and deeptech, aims to accelerate early- and growth-stage companies with disruptive technologies and global potential.

Plug and Play Taiwan Batch 0, which served as a pilot, successfully brought together startups who had the opportunity to present at Plug and Play's Silicon Valley June Summit 2025. The experience showcased the strength of Taiwan's startup ecosystem and its global relevance.

"Taiwan is rapidly gaining recognition as a global innovation hotspot," said Johannes Rott, VP, Plug and Play. "With our new office and accelerator program, we're excited to support the next generation of game-changing startups from this region."

Startups selected for Batch 1 will receive:

• Tailored mentorship from industry experts and successful founders
• Matchmaking with Plug and Play's network of over 550 global partners
• Fundraising support and direct VC introductions
• Exposure at global summits, including in Silicon Valley
• Soft-landing and go-to-market support across Asia and the U.S.

The deadline for startup applications is July 7, 2025, with the program projected to launch in August 2025.

Startups interested in joining the program can apply here: plugandplaytechcenter.com/locations/taoyuan-city

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we're present in 60+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs, run startup acceleration programs, and have invested in hundreds of successful companies, including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. For more information, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/.

Media Contact

press@pnptc.com 

"This collaboration marks a significant step forward in strengthening Cambodia's position as a center for digital innovation and entrepreneurship. By partnering with Plug and Play and ATC, we are fostering a dynamic ecosystem where startups can thrive, access critical resources, and scale globally. Through this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting technology-driven growth, attracting investment, and empowering Cambodian innovators to make a lasting impact in the region and beyond," says MPTC Minister H.E. Vandeth Chea.

Plug and Play intends to expand its Cambodian network by engaging corporations and organizations through deal flows and industry events. Focusing on five key sectors—Financial Services, Education, Travel & Hospitality, Food & Agriculture, and Logistics, the Plug and Play Cambodia Program's objective is to expand Cambodia's startup ecosystem by accelerating the growth of high-potential startups, supporting their commercialization, and enabling international expansion. Additionally, it will offer investment services to develop Cambodia's venture capital asset class. Plug and Play's Open Innovation Services will further empower corporations by building their innovation capabilities and facilitating mutually beneficial collaborations with startups.

Plug and Play, a Silicon Valley-based global open innovation platform, has an established presence in Asia Pacific through its Singapore headquarters, connecting corporates, startups, and venture capitalists within its vast ecosystem.

"We are excited to launch Plug and Play Cambodia, a milestone that reflects our commitment to fostering innovation across Southeast Asia. Cambodia's rapidly evolving startup ecosystem and growing pool of entrepreneurial talent make it a promising hub for global innovation," says Jupe Tan, Managing Partner of Plug and Play APAC. "Through this platform, we aim to connect local startups with our international network of corporate partners, investors, and mentors to help them scale and succeed on a global stage."

To engage early-stage startups, the Plug and Play Cambodia Program plans to collaborate with the ATC, the university's dedicated startup platform. By onboarding startups from ATC's incubator, the Plug and Play Cambodia Program will build on ATC's existing initiatives through organizing events, programs, and training sessions.

"At ATC, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Partnering with Plug and Play and MPTC allows us to provide startups with greater access to mentorship, funding, and global market opportunities. This collaboration will strengthen Cambodia's startup ecosystem and empower local talent to drive impactful innovation on an international scale," says Chea Somphors, General Manager of ATC.

As a rapidly digitalizing country, Cambodia holds great potential to become a thriving startup ecosystem. With support from MPTC and in partnership with ATC, a leading institution already driving startup growth initiatives, Plug and Play seeks to accelerate these efforts and establish innovation practices in Cambodia. This partnership with MPTC and ATC will empower local innovators and startup owners to pursue regional and global opportunities, tapping into Plug and Play's Silicon Valley connections and expertise to scale promising startups beyond borders.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we're present in 60+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi.

Our Asia Pacific headquarters was launched in Singapore in 2010 and we are now present in five cities in Southeast Asia with additional locations in China, Japan, Korea and India. We work closely with both the public and private sector with programs, innovation initiatives and startup investments across the region.

For more information, visit https://www.plugandplayapac.com

About the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC)

The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) is the government ministry managing Cambodia's postal and telecommunications systems. Based in Phnom Penh, MPTC promotes effective network infrastructure connectivity and accessible services of Post, Telecommunications, and ICT sectors across the Kingdom of Cambodia, the region, and the world in order to contribute to socioeconomic development.

MPTC focuses on expanding effective, reliable, and secure infrastructure, modernizing services, and ensuring nationwide coverage. The ministry promotes digital development at all levels of government to enhance public service delivery, supports ICT awareness and capacity building, encourages investment and R&D, and upholds regulatory compliance to ensure fair competition and consumer protection.

For more information, visit https://mptc.gov.kh/en/

About AUPP Technology Center (ATC)

The AUPP Technology Center (ATC) is a platform where technology startups, corporates, and professionals can create value and unlock potential. By providing space, resources, guidance, and mentorship to selected tech startups in Cambodia, ATC helps propel them to a global scale, contributing to the transformation of the Cambodian digital economy. At the same time, global technology companies gain access to Cambodia's growing market and emerging talent through ATC.

ATC is also home to the Center of Leadership and Professional Development (CLPD), which hosts professional and leadership training programs focused on corporate and leadership development. These programs bridge skill gaps along the corporate growth journey by developing industry-specific and key management capabilities, equipping Cambodian professionals and employers with world-class learning and development solutions.

For more information, visit https://www.aupptechcenter.com

GIFT City's MD and Group CEO, Mr. Tapan Ray, said, "Our vision at GIFT City is to drive fintech innovation by creating a climate-resilient, inclusive ecosystem that empowers diverse entrepreneurs and builds workforce competitiveness in emerging technologies. With the support of prominent partners in fintech education and incubation, we are committed to nurturing a new generation of talent that will be well-equipped to meet the needs of an evolving global economy."

Manav Narang, Head of Financial Services for Plug and Play APAC and Program Lead for the GIFT Incubator and Accelerator added, "We are thrilled to bring Plug and Play's global expertise to GIFT City. Our vision is to create India's largest industry-wide fintech program - a collaborative platform where banks, payments corporations, venture capital and corporate venture capital firms, accelerators, and ecosystem partners unite. Together, we aim to catalyze transformative fintech solutions and nurture fintech unicorns that will shape the future of finance in India."

The program will support fintech startups with resources, mentorship, capital, and networking to navigate and excel globally in the dynamic fintech landscape. The first batch of startups will be unveiled in January 2025.

Find out more about IFIH: giftifih.in

About GIFT City

GIFT City, India's first operational smart city and maiden International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), is a global financial and IT services hub, a first of its kind in India, designed to be at or above par with globally benchmarked business districts. As a leading Central Business District (CBD), GIFT City offers significant advantages such as reduced operational costs, favourable tax policies, and a vibrant community, making it the top choice for global and domestic companies in BFSI, IT/ITeS, fintech, international education, and other service sectors.

A 'Project of National Importance', GIFT City encompasses office spaces, residential areas, school, hospital, hotels, clubs, retail outlets, and recreational facilities, creating a truly 'walk-to-work' environment. Pioneering innovations and sustainable solutions implemented in GIFT City, such as the District Cooling System, Automated Waste Collection System, and Utility Tunnel, have set new standards in urban development.

For more information, visit www.giftgujarat.in.

Follow GIFT City on Twitter @GIFTCity_

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 60 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed globally. With over 80,000 startups and 620+ corporate and government partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading VCs and host more than 1,000 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $12 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, N26 and PayPal.

Our Asia Pacific headquarters was launched in Singapore in 2010 and we have since expanded into Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and India. Since then we have invested in more than 100 startups and have collaborated with various governments as well as multinational and regional corporations to multiply their innovation efforts through initiatives such as industry-specific accelerator programs.

For more information, visit www.plugandplayapac.com

For more information, contact:

GIFT City
Nisarg Acharya: +91 89800 06441
nisarg.acharya@giftgujarat.in 

Plug and Play
Manav Narang
m.narang@pnptc.com 

The event will showcase groundbreaking ICT solutions developed by 10 selected Korean Startups as part of KICC's initiative to foster global partnerships and drive technological advancement. Together with Plug and Play's expertise in fostering startup ecosystems, this event will be a unique opportunity for attendees to witness firsthand the latest advancements and collaborative potential between Korea and Singapore.

"Through this initiative, we've seen the great potential for collaboration between Korea and Southeast Asia, and we remain committed to fostering more opportunities like this to strengthen and expand cross-border partnerships", said Sung Wook Hur, President of National IT Industry Promotion Agency.

The Demo Day will feature presentations from a select group of promising Korean startups, each showcasing their ICT solutions spanning various sectors including sustainability, health, energy, logistics, cybersecurity, and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with these startups, explore partnership possibilities, and gain insights into emerging technology trends.

Featured Startups: 

AETECH
www.aetech.co.kr
AETECH is a waste management startup specializing in waste sorting solutions. Their innovative technologies include Atron, an AI sorting robot, and airo-MRF, an unmanned AI robot material recovery facility. 

DolbomDream
https://en.dolbomdream.com/
DolbomDream is a mental healthcare startup that collects data with wearable devices and provided health care guides. 

Enki WhiteHat
www.enki.co.kr
ENKI WhiteHat is a specialized offensive security company that proactively responds to cyber threats from a hacker's perspective. We provide offensive cybersecurity solutions in a SaaS model, including OFFen-PTaaS (Penetration Testing as a Service), OFFen-ASM (Attack Surface Management), OFFen-CR (Cyber Range), and OFFen-TI (Threat Intelligence).

Inka Entworks
www.inka.co.kr
INKA Entworks is a global leader in content security and mobile app security. Through its flagship products, PallyCon and AppSealing, the company provides robust multi-DRM, anti-piracy solutions, and advanced mobile app security to protect OTT platforms, BFSI, E-commerce, and live streaming content. These solutions help businesses ensure secure content delivery and app integrity across all digital environments.

Muzlive
www.kitbetter.com
Muzlive provides a new physical music format called the KiTalbum, making music albums compatible with all smart devices. To date, KiTalbum has been released in over 1,000 titles, sold 9 million copies, and is used in more than 200 countries. We have collaborated with top artists like Seventeen, Blackpink, NCT, Snoop Dogg, and Jason Mraz, and also offer an on-demand PHYGITAL platform, KiTbetter.com, allowing artists to create KiTalbum at no cost through an automated production system.

QUVE
https://www.nexwaysusa.com/
QUVE remotely provides AI-driven design and manufacturing services to dental clinics and dental labs. Through this, we intend to provide digital dental services around the world and further implement one-day care dentistry. 

Saesol Tech
www.saesol.tech
Saesol Tech is a V2X all-in-one security solution provider for fully autonomous driving and mobility to save lives and happiness. We prevent accidents on the road with V2X technologies and solutions including security module, PKI server, misbehavior detection, PKI conformance testing and cryptographic verification module. We are actively partnering with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to bring these solutions to life. 

Stratio Technology
www.stratiotechnology.com
STRATIO, INC. (STRATIO) was founded in 2013 as the culmination of a decade of work done at Stanford University. We are committed to bring infrared vision to the mass market through our new image sensor structure & deep know how knowledge in Germanium (Ge) based nanofabrication processing.

Willog
www.willog.io
Willog is a real time supply chain monitoring solution startup. Combined with hardware sensing iOT devices along with Software platform, we help our BIO customer to fully transparent their sensitive medical shipments information by capturing crucial parameters like temperature, humidity, geo-location in the land and ocean transportation.

The Carbon Studio
www.thecarbon.studio 
The Carbon Studio pioneers advanced carbon nanomaterials for PEM fuel cells and water electrolysis, critical to realizing a sustainable hydrogen society. With cutting-edge nano technology, they aim to revolutionize clean energy by producing high-performance materials essential for hydrogen generation and fuel cell efficiency.

Event Details:

• K-Global @ Singapore: ICT Growth Demo Day
  

• • Date: 18/11/24
  • Location: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Pl, Singapore 179555, Level 2, River Room and River Terrace
  • Time: 2:30 PM - 7:00 PM SGT

Interested attendees can register for the event through this link.

About Korea IT Cooperation Center (KICC) Singapore

Opened in 2014, KICC (Korea IT Cooperation Center) Singapore serves as NIPA's (National IT Industry Promotion Agency) strategic hub for promoting business opportunities between Korea and ASEAN countries in the ICT industry. KICC Singapore offers a range of solutions and programmes to help Korean IT companies expand and grow in ASEAN and Oceania, harness and leverage Korean technologies, and drive ASEAN's digital revolution.

Find more information about Korea IT Cooperation Center (KICC) Singapore visit kicc.sg 

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 60 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 80,000 startups and 620 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $12 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal.

Our Asia Pacific headquarters was launched in Singapore in 2010 and we have since expanded into Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Since then we have invested in more than 100 startups and have collaborated with various governments as well as multinational and regional corporations to multiply their innovation efforts through initiatives such as industry-specific accelerator programs.

For more information visit www.plugandplayapac.com

At the event, Khazanah Nasional ("Khazanah") shared about the Future Malaysia Programme and its commitment to accelerating innovation within the country. Together with other Malaysian conglomerates such as CelcomDigi, Sime Darby Plantation, and EDOTCO Group, Plug and Play aims to scale the startups' solutions and drive substantial socio-economic impact within Malaysia. The Malaysia Accelerator program focuses on pivotal founding themes such as Digital Society & Technology Hub, Sustainability & Climate Resilience, and Food Security & Agriculture.

Khazanah Managing Director Dato' Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said, "Khazanah, through our Advancing Malaysia strategy, is committed to nation-building and economic empowerment, in support of the government's aspiration of bolstering the nation's resilience, advancing economic transformation and improving socioeconomic outcomes. The Future Malaysia Programme, an initiative under Dana Impak, is a representation of that commitment specifically for local entrepreneurs, startups, and businesses to spur innovation and economic growth, by driving strategic collaborations within Malaysia's startup and corporate venture ecosystem."

"It is encouraging and exciting to be part of something that is driven by innovation, especially creating new synergies between startups and corporates. We are committed to collaborating with other companies and exploring new solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence/machine learning, IR4.0, Web 3.0, digital SME solutions, electrification, etc. This is further made possible through CelcomDigi's Innovation Centre, which is dedicated to exploring and developing innovative technologies while creating a vibrant ecosystem where startups can thrive and make a meaningful impact," shared T. Kugan, Chief Innovation Officer, CelcomDigi.

"Sime Darby Plantation takes pride in contributing to the development of Malaysia's innovation ecosystem. Transformative solutions to navigate the contemporary challenges confronting our world can come from anyone, anywhere. It is therefore important that we support opportunities and platforms for these ideas to shine, whilst fostering an environment that nurtures ingenuity.

As a company that is committed to revolutionize century-old ways of working in oil palm plantations, we understand too well the importance of collaborating with innovative technology partners. Reducing the reliance on manual labor through mechanization, automation, and digitalization is a transformative shift that requires more than just a change in mindset. It demands an overhaul of our operational approach, including the development and application of bespoke machines and technological solutions that suit our specific needs.

The Malaysia Accelerator Program is exciting for us because it presents the potential for synergies that can help us explore these solutions and elevate our internal capabilities. We are looking forward to the prospect of working with participating start-ups in this program and reinforcing our commitment to shaping a better future for our industry." said Dr Shariman Alwani, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Sime Darby Plantation.

Kevin Chong, Director of Digital & Analytics at EDOTCO Group mentioned, "At EDOTCO Group, we are immensely proud to collaborate with Plug and Play Malaysia. This partnership offers us a unique opportunity to tap into a wealth of innovative ideas and technologies presented by global startups. By engaging in this vibrant ecosystem, we gain access to cutting-edge solutions that enhance our capabilities. Through our participation in this initiative, we benefit directly from the dynamic and creative energies of these emerging start-ups. We are excited to leverage these new relationships to further our vision of a connected, technologically empowered, and environmentally conscious Malaysia."

"The inaugural Plug and Play Malaysia Accelerator Expo Day has been a tremendous success, and we look forward to the potential outcomes for the startups that have successfully completed our program," said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner at Plug and Play APAC. "As we expand our activities in Malaysia, we are excited to continue our partnerships with the leading Malaysian conglomerates to contribute to the robust innovation ecosystem in the country."

In addition to startup pitches, the Expo Day featured a keynote address by Fairul Azida Shahabudin, Deputy Undersecretary, Technology Transfer and Commercialisation of R&D Division, Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation. Fairul Azida Shahabudin shared valuable insights into the current state of Malaysia's innovation ecosystem, policies that have created a positive impact on startups, as well as the government's vision for the future.

The Plug and Play Malaysia Expo served as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and networking among key stakeholders in the innovation landscape. Plug and Play looks forward to continued collaboration with its strategic partners and the vibrant Malaysian startup community to drive innovation and contribute to the growth of the country's thriving ecosystem.

Find out more about the Plug and Play Malaysia Accelerator Program: Click Here

The 10 startups from the inaugural Malaysia Accelerator program include:

AlphaSwift
Alphaswift provides customized drones (UAV) and robotics design and development for industrial clients.
http://alphaswift.com/ 

Bizbaz
Bizbaz are catalysts of transformation, merging cutting-edge AI, data analytics, and behavioral science to redefine industries. Pioneers in innovation, they empower businesses and individuals with profound insights, enabling these parties to make informed decisions that drive positive change.
https://bizbaz.tech/ 

Cropx
CropX, an innovative ag-analytics company, is leading farmers around the globe into the era of connected soil. Its user-friendly, cloud-based soil sensor platform delivers the soil intelligence farmers need to dramatically increase crop yield and reduce water, fertilization, and energy costs.
https://cropx.com/ 

Dagangan
Dagangan is the trusted rural commerce platform revolutionizing access to affordable daily necessities for rural communities in Indonesia. With a mission to tap into the $131B untapped potential, Dagangan proudly serves 87% of Indonesia's population.
http://dagangan.com/

Hillridge
Hillridge has built a platform to help farmers buy targeted, affordable insurance against climate extremes such as droughts, typhoons, heat stress, and too much rain.
http://hillridge.com.au/ 

Lohum
LOHUM powers next-gen li-ion battery mobility & energy solutions; gives batteries multiple lives through reuse technology, and makes battery materials last forever through lithium ion battery recycling.
http://lohum.com/ 

Seadling
SEADLING utilizes innovative bio-manufacturing technology to transform sustainably farmed seaweed into the highest quality, nutrition-rich products.
https://www.seadling.com/ 

Sensegrass
SenseGrass is a Soil Intelligence Platform that helps companies and farmers to reduce the excessive nitrogen and fertilizers from the soil, using a patented NPK sensor and optimizing the crop data through Artificial Intelligence Agronomist to grow better with low fertilizer intake to make future of food.
http://sensegrass.com/ 

Tanalink
Tanalink is a Malaysian Agritech firm with a mission to equip tropical plantations with innovative solutions that improve operational efficiency, minimize losses, and increase sustainability and yields.
https://www.tanalink.com/ 

Transitry
Transitry leverages AI, satellite data, and smart devices to offer nature-based solutions for reversing climate change.
https://www.transitry.com/ 

About Khazanah Nasional Berhad
Khazanah Nasional Berhad ("Khazanah") is the sovereign wealth fund of Malaysia entrusted to deliver sustainable value for Malaysians. In line with its long-term strategy of Advancing Malaysia, Khazanah aims to deliver its purpose by investing in catalytic sectors, creating value through active stewardship, increasing its global presence, as well as building capacity and vibrant communities for the benefit of Malaysians.

For more information on Khazanah, visit www.khazanah.com.my. 

About CelcomDigi Berhad

CelcomDigi Berhad (formerly known as "Digi.com Berhad") is Malaysia's largest mobile network operator with more than 20 million users on its network. Established on 1 December 2022, the company aims to serve the growing digital needs of its customers by leveraging its newly combined widest network footprint, distribution touchpoints, innovative range of digital products and services, and superior customer experience powered by over 4,000 top industry experts. The company has clearly defined ambitions to advance the nation, inspire Malaysian society, and be a leader in inclusion and responsible business practices. For more information on CelcomDigi, visit www.celcomdigi.com. 

About Sime Darby Plantation Berhad

Sime Darby Plantation (SDP) is the world's largest producer of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO), with a production of 1.887 million MT (as of 31 December 2022). 

As a fully integrated global plantation company, SDP is involved in various activities along the full spectrum of the palm oil value chain, including upstream and downstream operations, Research & Development, renewables as well as agri-business. Its upstream operations are spread across Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Its downstream business, also known as Sime Darby Oils, spans 12 countries worldwide and involves the trading, manufacturing, as well as the sales and marketing of refined oils and fats products, oleochemicals, palm oil-based biodiesel, nutraceuticals and other palm oil derivatives.

With a workforce of over 86,000 employees and a strong focus on operational excellence, research, innovation, and sustainability, Sime Darby Plantation is one of the largest companies in Bursa Malaysia, with a market capitalisation of RM31.54 bil (USD 6.75 bil) as of 15 Dec 2023.

About EDOTCO Group

Established in 2012, EDOTCO Group is the leading digital connectivity infrastructure services company in Asia, providing end-to-end integrated solutions in the tower services sector. Its mission is to help nations across Asia to advance their connectivity infrastructure with leading-edge solutions and achieve equitable connectivity.

With a portfolio of over 54,000 towers across nine countries, the company is present in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Laos - fulfilling connectivity demands innovatively and sustainably to help its customers and partners accelerate sustainable growth. EDOTCO prioritises prudent portfolio expansion for organic and inorganic opportunities that carry the right scale, economics, and returns for its shareholders.

EDOTCO Group was named Asia Pacific Telecoms Tower Company of the Year for six consecutive years by Frost & Sullivan and was recognised as one of three ASEAN Unicorns based in Malaysia.

For more information, visit www.edotcogroup.com. 

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since its inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 50 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 80,000 startups and over 550 official corporate and government partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with hundreds of leading Silicon Valley VCs and host more than 1,000 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $12 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, and PayPal.

For more information visit: www.plugandplayapac.com 

Plug and Play is renowned for connecting forward-thinking corporations with innovative startups to drive technological advancements. Through this partnership, Samyang Chemical Group will be able to leverage Plug and Play's vast network and resources to explore cutting-edge technologies, promote collaboration, and drive investment opportunities across the globe.

As a key player in the global chemical industry, Samyang Chemical Group is committed to staying at the forefront of innovation. By joining forces with Plug and Play, the company aims to identify and adopt emerging technologies that will enable it to address evolving market demands and environmental challenges.

Plug and Play will provide Samyang Chemical Group with access to a diverse ecosystem of startups through its VC as a Service platform. It will support the entire process of scouting, identification, and due diligence with the goal of driving early-stage investments. By participating in Plug and Play's programs and events, Samyang Chemical Group will have the opportunity to engage with innovative solutions in areas such as digitalization, sustainability, and supply chain optimization.

"At Plug and Play, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change. We are excited to welcome Samyang Chemical Group to our ecosystem and look forward to working together to accelerate innovation across multiple industries," said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner at Plug and Play APAC.

This strategic partnership between Samyang Chemical Group and Plug and Play signifies a significant step towards fostering a culture of innovation, sustainability, and resilience to catalyze technological advancements.

About Samyang Chemical Group

Samyang Chemical Group(SCG) is a comprehensive chemical company that based its core business on petrochemicals, a modern vital energy source. With its promising investment on R&D, SCG has grown to a global scale that exists today, continuing the effort to provide the best products and services for its customers. SCG has since expanded into various industries, including cross-border trading, distribution, steel business, real estate development, IT, etc., and strives to grow further with society, altogether. To fulfill its dream, SCG established DREAUM, SCG's spin-off for its new business development and investment, to actively search and invest into startups who have the potential to co-create and disrupt the world. SCG promises to put startups' growth forth to build an ongoing corporate-startup partnership relationship for a brighter future.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 50 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 80,000 startups and 550 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $9 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal.

For more information visit: www.plugandplayapac.com

"As the telecommunications industry continues to evolve, companies must stay ahead of the curve by embracing innovation and technology," said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner, Plug and Play APAC. "We are excited to join forces with EDOTCO to create a collaborative platform that brings together startups, corporations, and industry experts to bolster Malaysia's growing tech scene and drive innovations in connectivity and infrastructure in the country."

Through this partnership, startups working on groundbreaking technologies such as 5G infrastructure, IoT connectivity, network optimization, and sustainable solutions will have the opportunity to engage directly with EDOTCO's vast experience and resources. This collaboration will also enable EDOTCO to tap into Plug and Play's global ecosystem, gaining access to a diverse range of innovative solutions that can help drive operational excellence and enhance customer experiences.

"In today's rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape, staying at the forefront demands an unwavering commitment to innovation and technology. This partnership between Plug and Play and EDOTCO is a testament to our shared dedication to shaping the future of connectivity in Malaysia and across our eight other markets in Asia. Together, we'll forge an innovation bridge that unites Malaysia's thriving tech community, redefining how we connect and advancing equitable connectivity across the nation," said Adlan Tajudin, Group CEO, EDOTCO Group.

The partnership will involve various initiatives, including innovation workshops, dealflow meetings with startups, and networking events that facilitate meaningful interactions between startups, corporate partners, and EDOTCO's experts. These efforts will contribute to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the telecommunications ecosystem.

Find out more about Plug and Play's initiatives in Malaysia:
https://www.plugandplayapac.com/malaysia-program

About EDOTCO

Established in 2012, EDOTCO Group is the leading digital connectivity infrastructure services company in Asia, providing end-to-end integrated solutions in the tower services sector. Its mission is to help nations across Asia to advance their connectivity infrastructure with leading-edge solutions and achieve equitable connectivity.

With a portfolio of over 54,000 towers across nine countries, the company is present in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Laos - fulfilling connectivity demands innovatively and sustainably to help its customers and partners accelerate sustainable growth. EDOTCO prioritises prudent portfolio expansion for organic and inorganic opportunities that carry the right scale, economics, and returns for its shareholders.

EDOTCO Group was named Asia Pacific Telecoms Tower Company of the Year for six consecutive years by Frost & Sullivan and was recognised as one of three ASEAN Unicorns based in Malaysia. 

For more information, visit www.edotcogroup.com.  

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 50 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 80,000 startups and 550 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $9 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal.

For more information: visit www.plugandplayapac.com

The GIA is an initiative of Enterprise Singapore, comprising a network of Singapore and overseas partners in major innovation hubs and key demand markets with a focus on technology and innovation^[1]. The GIA San Francisco Acceleration Programme is organised by Plug and Play, a global innovation platform with a proven track record of fostering startup success.

The programme is set to begin this October and aims to empower Singapore-based early-stage tech companies with the resources and knowledge to thrive in one of the world's largest and most diverse markets.

San Francisco Bay Area - A World Leader in Innovation

A global leader in entrepreneurship and tech, San Francisco emerged as one of the 20 leading cities for startup growth, outpacing other cities such as Los Angeles and New York. Home to a staggering 7.5 million people, the city boasts one of the largest consumer markets in the world and ranks top in GDP growth at 4.8%; its thriving economy making it an attractive destination for startups. Some well-performing tech industries in San Francisco include social media, mobile apps, AI, big data, biotech and clean tech – setting the stage for tech startups to achieve new success in this exciting market.

Amidst the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the region continued to see an optimistic increase in over 100,000 new jobs between 2021 and 2022. San Francisco remains at the forefront of innovation and is attractive to startups due to its highly-educated demographic, accessibility to funding opportunities, and business-friendly policies that make it a highly-sought after destination for startup expansion. Some reasons for San Francisco to be an attractive hub for startups to grow include:

Access to Funding Opportunities

A significant influx of venture capital investments and deal flows in the region presents startups with the promising opportunity of raising funds and a highly favorable environment to further scale their companies.  In 2022, the region witnessed an impressive $238.3 billion in venture capital investments and more than 15,800 deals. Such numbers reflect the continued interest from investors in funding startups and the promise of the startup ecosystem in San Francisco.

Beyond the sheer volume of investment, startups can also benefit from the attractive nature of the fundraising rounds, with seed rounds averaging $2.1 million, and median series A funding rounds standing at an impressive average of $14 million. With such robust financial support and access to capital, startups are better positioned to scale their companies and pursue their growth ambitions.

Skilled Talents

San Francisco's allure extends beyond its thriving economy, with its influx of skilled tech talents from all corners of the globe. The Bay Area has earned a reputation for attracting the brightest minds in the world, making it a hub of innovation and technological advancement. One major reason for this is the direct pipeline to tech and innovation roles, thanks to its proximity to prestigious educational institutions such as Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UCSF, where talents often find themselves seamlessly transitioning into the region's dynamic tech ecosystem.

The demand for international talent is also on par with that of domestic talent. According to a California 100 Report on the Bay Area, the city also draws in professionals from around the world with highly-sought after expertise in engineering, computer science, and biotech, fostering further innovation and promoting diversity at large tech companies.

Innovation Culture

San Francisco also has a rich culture and history of innovators who have grown through trial and error. The presence of 7 leading tech companies, including the likes of Google and Apple, in San Francisco cements the city's reputation as a hotbed for innovation and technological advancements. The interaction between startups and established tech companies also plays a crucial role in the region's innovation culture. Startups often serve as a breeding ground for fresh ideas and agile experimentation, while established companies provide resources, mentorship, and market access to fuel growth. This symbiotic relationship fosters a cycle of innovation and continuous improvement, benefiting both the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the tech industry as a whole.

What to Expect from the GIA San Francisco Acceleration Programme

The GIA San Francisco Acceleration Programme offers three main pillars to support participating startups:

1. Practical Training: Interactive workshops led by industry experts will cover essential topics such as understanding the business culture in San Francisco, navigating the investment and fundraising landscape, legal and finance considerations, and talent acquisition. These workshops will be accompanied by one-on-one discussions through office hours to provide personalized guidance.
2. Targeted Mentorship: Each startup will be matched with a mentor who will provide tailored support across various aspects, including marketing, product development, partnership building, investment assistance, and pitch polishing.
3. Business Development Opportunities: The programme will culminate with a 2-week in-market immersion in San Francisco featuring panel discussions, business meetings with startups, investors, and corporates, and a showcase during Plug and Play's Silicon Valley Summit. This summit will provide startups with an opportunity to pitch and showcase their solutions to a regional network of corporate partners, investors, and industry leaders.

Throughout the 6-week programme, startups will receive support and pitch polishing both virtually and in-person for each respective segment.

Innovation Partnership Between Enterprise Singapore & Plug and Play

The GIA San Francisco Acceleration Programme is designed to mitigate market expansion risks and accelerate startups' global business development. Early-stage tech startups looking to gain insights into the US market will benefit from the San Francisco programme's offerings, while startups with an existing presence in San Francisco can also tap into its resources to further scale their business.

"The United States presents immense opportunities as a market for business growth and San Francisco is a good starting point for Singapore companies and startups, in many areas of tech such as biotech, fintech, sustainability and digital economy," said Lim Seow Hui, Director for Americas, EnterpriseSG. "We are very heartened to partner Plug and Play to support tech startups in building connections and capabilities to grow their businesses as they expand into the United States."

Jupe Tan, Managing Partner at Plug and Play APAC, added, "We believe that the GIA San Francisco Acceleration Programme will be an exceptional opportunity for Singapore startups to tap into the innovation culture and networking opportunities in Silicon Valley. Through our tailored mentorship and business development support, we aim to empower startups to make valuable connections and accelerate their growth trajectory."

Batch 1 Launch

Interested startups can participate in the upcoming cohort of the GIA San Francisco Acceleration Programme by applying through this application form. Startups can also find out more about the programme on our website here.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform headquartered in Silicon Valley, driving technological advancement through accelerator programmes, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC. Since 2006, Plug and Play's presence has grown to 51 locations worldwide, supporting startups across diverse industries in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 30,000 startups, 500 corporate partners, active investments from 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and over 700 networking events per year, the Plug and Play ecosystem has raised over $9 billion in funding, boasting successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, and PayPal.

Plug and Play launched its Asia-Pacific (APAC) headquarters in Singapore in 2010, expanding into Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, multiplying innovation efforts through industry-specific accelerator programmes with investments in 50+ startups and collaborations with various governments and multinational corporations.

For more information, visit www.plugandplayapac.com.

With this launch, the Hitachi Group has extended its association with Plug and Play in Asia Pacific. Plug and Play already has an existing association with Hitachi group in Japan and the United States.

This partnership's primary objective is to bring innovative products and platforms into the Hitachi Payments ecosystem. It seeks to provide start-ups the capital, integration with the Hitachi Payments' stack, access to extensive customer network and platform to launch and scale up. Additionally, it will endeavour to expand the impact of these solutions beyond India, accelerating the growth and innovation of the global fintech industry.

Hitachi Payments has been at the forefront of the digital payment revolution in India, bringing innovative solutions that have furthered merchant acceptance, as well as enabled accessibility of digital payments for the masses.

Anuj Khosla, Chief Executive Officer - Digital Business, Hitachi Payment Services, said, "Hitachi Payments is committed towards innovating and introducing new technologies to enhance the overall merchant and customer digital payments journey. The Digital Payments Innovation Hub will help in building future-ready offerings in the digital payments arena. The collaboration aims at investing in, co-creating, and deploying cutting-edge digital payment and fintech solutions that cater to the evolving needs of businesses and consumers.  It is an exciting time for the Indian fintech ecosystem, and we look forward to working closely with Plug and Play and start-ups to drive growth and innovation in the payments industry."

Jupe Tan, Managing Partner of Plug and Play APAC, said, "We are delighted to be working with Hitachi Payments and to be able to deepen our relationship with the overall Hitachi group. Our goal is to provide Hitachi Payments with a line-of-sight into the most innovative start-ups that are shaping the financial services industry across India and Asia Pacific."

Hitachi Payments is a pioneer in the payment industry in India, offering a comprehensive range of end-to-end payment solutions including ATM Services, Cash Recycling Machines, White Label ATMs, POS Solutions, Toll & Transit Solutions, Payment Gateway Solutions and innovative offerings such as SoftPOS, POS Value Added Services and Digital Merchant Onboarding. The company is committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving financial inclusion across India.

About Hitachi Payment Services

A 100% subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Payment Services is an integrated payment solutions provider empowering financial institutions, payment aggregators and fintechs with a comprehensive array of end-to-end payment solutions focused on security, reliability and innovation. A pioneer in the Indian payments space, Hitachi Payments caters to over 3 Mn merchant touchpoints and processes over 7 Mn POS and Payment Gateway transactions daily. In addition to this Hitachi Payments manages over 66,500 ATMs (including 27,500 Cash Recycling Machines) and 9,000 White Label ATMs.

Find out more here: https://www.hitachi-payments.com/ 

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 35 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 80,000 startups and 550 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $9 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal.

Find out more here: www.plugandplayapac.com 

The Future Malaysia Programme aims to transform technologies via stakeholder involvement that benefits participating startups, corporations, investors, and governments who look to invest and scale emerging technologies in the country. Plug and Play will support this through its accelerator programmes, a platform that leverages its impact through international ties, promoting the attraction and development of tech talent, investments, and more. Startups of all stages from around the globe will be considered to participate and work with the relevant stakeholders to pilot, scale, and commercialise solutions in Malaysia in line with the programme themes.  

Dato' Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad said, "We are pleased to collaborate with Plug and Play to establish a Malaysia-based corporate innovation platform that enables Malaysian corporates to discover and match innovative technology to their business needs. This initiative is in line with our Advancing Malaysia strategy and commitment to delivering sustainable economic and societal benefits for the nation.

As corporate innovation is vital for corporates to remain at the forefront of technology trends, we will leverage this platform to create more opportunities for both local and international startups to collaborate with leading Malaysian corporates, pooling resources and expertise to solve real business and innovation challenges and drive potential value creation for both parties. By announcing this collaboration alongside prominent Malaysian corporates, such as CelcomDigi and Sime Darby Plantation, we hope to crowd in more Malaysian corporates to participate in this programme as an all-of-Malaysia approach will be crucial to boosting the local startup ecosystem in Malaysia."

"Plug and Play is excited to be part of this new initiative with Khazanah Nasional, CelcomDigi and Sime Darby Plantation as its initial set of partners. With our global presence spanning more than 50 locations and a network of more than 80,000 startups, we are confident that we will be able to identify the world's best top potential startups that will be able to drive their innovative solutions across the thriving innovation landscape in Malaysia. "said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner of Plug and Play APAC. "We look forward to being able to contribute to the growth of the innovation ecosystem in Malaysia in the coming months, as well as setting up our office in Kuala Lumpur."

The programme also looks to partner with Malaysia's leading conglomerates to leverage their domain and vertical expertise to pilot, commercialise and invest into emerging technology companies both locally and from across the globe looking to enter and add value to Malaysia. Joining Khazanah Nasional and Plug and Play would be the likes of communications conglomerate CelcomDigi, and the world's largest producer of certified sustainable palm oil, Sime Darby Plantation, with more partners set to come onboard in the coming months. Corporations who join the programme will also be able to explore and match technology and ideas with their innovation needs. The programme also looks to incubate corporate best practices and early-stage investment capabilities for participating corporations.

"The Future Malaysia Programme provides CelcomDigi with a unique opportunity to connect with over 80,000 startups in stimulating innovation and synergy between startups and corporates. We are committed to collaborating with other companies and exploring new solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence/machine learning, Web 3.0, digital SME solutions, metaverse, etc. This is further made possible through CelcomDigi's Innovation Centre which is dedicated to exploring and developing innovative technologies, while creating a vibrant ecosystem where startups can thrive and make a meaningful impact. CelcomDigi's focus on innovation and exploration has always pushed us to explore new boundaries and we look forward to playing a significant role in shaping the future of Malaysia's technological landscape," shared T. Kugan, Chief Innovation Officer, CelcomDigi.

"Sime Darby Plantation is challenging conventions in an industry that has operated in almost the same way for over a century. When the world shut down three years ago, we realised that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, unless we changed – our thinking and the way we work. For years, we had set standards, producing the best quality palm oil, produced sustainably and with cutting-edge technology to guide us. Thus, we already had the building blocks in place to develop the plantation of the future.

"Today, we have drones and advanced machinery working alongside our people. We use AI and digital data. We use genomics to improve the yields of what is already the most versatile, nutritious, and productive edible oil in the world. We are collaborating with some of the brightest in Universities, at startups, and among young entrepreneurs, both in Malaysia and in other countries to develop automation and robotic solutions. We had imagined a different sort of oil palm plantation and today, we are creating it together with other visionaries.

"The Future Malaysia Programme is a tremendous opportunity for us to further explore new technologies and innovations that can strengthen not only our climate resilience and renewable energy initiatives but also our capabilities in digitalisation and robotics.  We are truly excited about the prospect of co-innovating with other corporates and new startups to tap into new ideas and synergies that can help us to find solutions. We are committed to working closely with all programme partners to leverage on our collective expertise and deliver meaningful and sustainable results to our business and industry," said Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, Group Managing Director, Sime Darby Plantation.

The Future Malaysia Programme is set to launch in the latter half of 2023, and recruitment is underway for startups and additional new corporate partners. Interested parties who wish to participate in the newly established innovation platform may submit their interest below.

Find out more about the Future Malaysia Programme: Click Here

About Khazanah Nasional Berhad

Khazanah Nasional Berhad ("Khazanah") is the sovereign wealth fund of Malaysia entrusted to deliver sustainable value for Malaysians. In line with its long-term strategy of Advancing Malaysia, Khazanah aims to deliver its purpose by investing in catalytic sectors, creating value through active stewardship, increasing its global presence, as well as building capacity and vibrant communities for the benefit of Malaysians.

For more information on Khazanah, visit www.khazanah.com.my.

About CelcomDigi Berhad

CelcomDigi Berhad (formerly known as "Digi.com Berhad") is Malaysia's largest mobile network operator with more than 20 million users on its network. Established on 1 December 2022, the company aims to serve the growing digital needs of its customers by leveraging its newly combined widest network footprint, distribution touchpoints, innovative range of digital products and services, and superior customer experience powered by over 4,000 top industry experts. The company has clearly defined ambitions to advance the nation, inspire Malaysian society, and be a leader in inclusion and responsible business practices. For more information on CelcomDigi, visit www.celcomdigi.com.

About Sime Darby Plantation Berhad

Sime Darby Plantation (SDP) is the world's largest producer of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO), producing over 2.12 million MT or 14.7% of global CSPO production (as of 31 December 2022).

As a fully integrated global plantation company, SDP is involved in various activities along the full spectrum of the palm oil value chain, including upstream and downstream operations, Research & Development, renewables as well as agri-business. Its upstream operations are spread across Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Its downstream business, also known as Sime Darby Oils, spans 12 countries worldwide and involves the trading, manufacturing, as well as the sales and marketing of refined oils and fats products, oleochemicals, palm oil-based biodiesel, nutraceuticals and other palm oil derivatives.

With a workforce of over 80,000 employees and a strong focus on operational excellence, research, innovation and sustainability, Sime Darby Plantation is one of the largest companies on Bursa Malaysia, with a market capitalisation of RM30.08 bil (USD6.51 bil) as of 24 May 2023.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since its inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 50 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 80,000 startups and over 550 official corporate and government partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with hundreds of leading Silicon Valley VCs and host more than 1,000 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $12 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, and PayPal.

Our Asia Pacific headquarters was launched in Singapore in 2010 and we have since expanded into Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Since then we have invested in more than 50 startups and have collaborated with various governments as well as multinational and regional corporations to multiply their innovation efforts through initiatives such as industry-specific accelerator programs.

For more information: visit www.plugandplayapac.com 

"Equinor Ventures is pleased to partner with a world-renowned platform Plug and Play as we aim to deepen our engagement with start-ups in Asia Pacific. The partnership will support us in identifying exciting climate tech and energy transition related opportunities in the region. Through this collaboration, we will also support and partner with start ups to scale up their businesses." says Lars Klevjer, Managing Director of Equinor Ventures.      

"We are excited to partner with Equinor to drive innovation in the energy industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Sustainability continues to be a key focus area for us globally. As our populations grow and our oceans rise and climate changes, humanity is faced with more and more challenges." said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner, Plug and Play APAC. "We believe that by combining our network of startups with Equinor's industry expertise, we can identify and develop the most promising new technologies and solutions that can help accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy future in this region."

Through the partnership, Equinor Ventures will work closely with Plug and Play's sustainability vertical to identify and evaluate startups developing new solutions in areas such as green fuels, carbon management, grid & mobility, and clean power.

Find out more about Plug and Play Sustainability:
https://www.plugandplayapac.com/sustainability

About Equinor Ventures

Equinor Ventures is Equinor's corporate venture capital arm dedicated to investing in ambitious early-phase and growth companies.

We believe innovation, creativity and agility of startups can drive change towards a low-carbon future and are committed to support management teams who have the drive to build successful world-class companies.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since its inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 50 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 80,000 startups and over 550 official corporate and government partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with hundreds of leading Silicon Valley VCs and host more than 1,000 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $12 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, and PayPal.

Our Asia Pacific headquarters was launched in Singapore in 2010 and we have since expanded into Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Since then we have invested in more than 50 startups and have collaborated with various governments as well as multinational and regional corporations to multiply their innovation efforts through initiatives such as industry-specific accelerator programs.

For more information: visit www.plugandplayapac.com

Powered by global innovation platform Plug and Play, MetLife launched the Collab 6.0 program in February aiming at identifying startups from around the world that offer solutions in healthcare, retirement, and new tech. In total, Metlife received over 70 startup applications from across 9 countries.The winners were among seven finalists selected to pitch to a panel of Metlife leaders during a Demo Day held in April 2023. 

The winners of Collab 6.0 are:

1. Teoul - Provides medication guides for A4 and A5 medications, medical boxes, and a medical wholesale management platform and outpatient prescription information system that uses AI for real-time big data. This enables healthcare companies to procure all medical-related information and requirements.
2. Lydia.AI - A health AI insurtech startup on a mission to insure the next billion people by making insurance personalized, easier to buy, and more inclusive.
3. Wayne Hill's Bryant AI - Wayne Hills is developing an algorithm that extracts dictionary meanings from text and voice data with AI technology and automatically converts them into digital content by combining images, animations, and sound effects that match them.

Other finalists include - Intellect, Silvia, 솔루투스(주), and Mosaic Inc.

"We will be able to transform customer experience when our long-standing experience and expertise are combined with innovative technologies of startups. MetLife will continue to identify and support startups to leverage them to enhance our digital capabilities."  we will be able to dramatically improve customer experience." We will continue to do so, and through this, we will develop MetLife's digital competitiveness." said Young-Rok Song, GM of MetLife Korea.

"Plug and Play is thrilled to partner with MetLife for the Collab 6.0 program. As the leading innovation platform globally, we can leverage our extensive experience in corporate innovation and startup acceleration to help founders grow their businesses and unearth groundbreaking technologies." said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner for Plug and Play APAC. "We look forward to the potential results of Metlife's collaboration with the startups."

To learn more about MetLife Collab 6.0 program, visit https://www.plugandplayapac.com/metlife-en.

About MetLife

About MetLife - MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 50 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 80,000 startups and 550 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. Companies in our community have raised over $9 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Rappi, Dropbox, Lending Club, and PayPal.

Find out more: www.plugandplayapac.com

SINGAPORE, Oct. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MiRXES, a Singapore-headquartered biotechnology company focused on saving lives and improving health economics and outcomes through RNA-powered disease early detection and precision genomic tests, today launched the first edition of MiRXES Translator Program, Southeast Asia's first business and clinical advisory program backed by science that bridges post-incubation ideation and post-accelerator growth, at Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH)^{[Annex 1]}.

MiRXES Translator Program, a collaboration with global innovation platform Plug and Play, is the first of its kind which will support selected high-growth potential companies to fast-track the commercialization and adoption of preventive healthcare solutions and translate that to revenue growth, with the end-goal of improving population health outcomes collectively.

Dr. Lihan ZHOU, Co-Founder and CEO of MiRXES, said, "With our rich startup experience and extensive networks, MiRXES is excited to expand our role in the biotechnology and preventive healthcare sector by enabling multi-stakeholder partnerships and connecting companies with resources to increase the adoption of preventive healthcare solutions globally. Besides investing capital through the MiRXES Translator Program, MiRXES is delighted to share our knowledge from operating some of the world's most sophisticated laboratories where we pioneered clinical applications of cutting-edge research in RNA biomarkers, and help these startups gain a footing in the industry."

Through this investor-partner partnership, MiRXES will play an active role to co-generate measurable business milestones and results while sharing risks and rewards with companies enrolled in the program, resulting in assisting them to grow and scale their business efficiently and effectively. MiRXES will also enable the acceleration of their growth by contributing its research, manufacturing and clinical diagnostic capabilities to validate products and provide cost advantage through economies of scale, facilitating partnership between venture funds, medical partners, government, hospitals and adopters, as well as providing a platform at MiRXES's Early Medical Centre^{[Annex 2]} for the commercialization of solutions. These companies will also receive support from MiRXES in the regionalization of their businesses through MiRXES's infrastructures in Southeast Asia.

Plug and Play, a highly successful investor and preferred innovation partner for major corporations, will assess applicants and curate suitable emerging preventive health-focused technology startups for the MiRXES Translator Program. MiRXES will collaborate with the shortlisted startups to run an extensive program to develop and enhance their reach within the preventive healthcare sector. Depending on the startup's maturity, the collaboration could span across solution optimization, pilot production, clinical advisory and market validation.

Mr. Jupe TAN, Managing Partner of Plug and Play APAC, added, "We are delighted to be working with MiRXES for their Translator Program. With more than 15 years of experience in early stage investing and scaling corporate innovation, Plug and Play has a keen ability to identify, attract, and accelerate founders who want to solve industry challenges and scale new technologies. Our goal is to provide a line-of-sight into the most innovative start-ups that are shaping the healthcare and biotechnology industry globally."

MiRXES Translator Program

Applications for the inaugural 2022-2023 MiRXES Translator Program will be rolled-out at the end of October 2022 with six focus areas – diagnostic solutions, complementary health products, health management programs, digital health solutions, healthcare financing solutions and healthcare supply chain. Post-revenue startups across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America, with innovations aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of preventive healthcare, are eligible to apply for this program.

The MiRXES Translator Program supports startups in accelerating the commercialization of their products through:

• Revenue contracts and/or benefits in-kind of up to US$1,000,000 in value
• Scientific and clinical advisory
• Workflow optimization and market positioning strategy
• Price and revenue channel discovery
• Expansion opportunities to target markets
• Access to multi-stakeholder ecosystem of investors, policymakers, payors, solution providers and healthcare delivery providers, including MiRXES's delivery arm

For more information about and to apply to the MiRXES Translator Program, visit: https://bit.ly/mirxes-translator 

Annex 1

Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) 2022

SWITCH 2022 brings together leaders, entrepreneurs, creators, accelerators and investors from the Global-Asia innovation ecosystem, to catalyse meaningful collaboration between different fields and markets. At the event's SLINGSHOT 2022 segment, a deep tech startup competition, MiRXES will be issuing a problem statement for the Healthcare and Biomedical challenge domain. The strategic launch of the MiRXES Translator Program at this platform will widen its outreach to and open doors for the startup community.

Annex 2

Early Medical Centre

Located within the thriving ecosystem of healthcare and life sciences companies in Singapore Science Park 1, Early Medical Centre is the region's first healthcare innovation center that takes a unique, individualized approach to health, designed to deliver a new standard in the preventive healthcare experience and serve as an aggregation hub for diagnostic solutions.

Equipped with world-class facilities to conduct molecular blood tests and imaging scans, Early Medical Centre brings together precise, targeted, integrated suite of diagnostic and preventive care tools to the masses. Startups under the program will be able to validate pricing and business viability with exposure at Early Medical Centre.

About MiRXES 

Founded in 2014, MiRXES is a leading biotechnology company focused on saving lives and improving health economics and outcomes, through RNA-powered disease early detection and precision genomic tests. MiRXES effects clinical and social-economic impact via our unique 4-D approach: MiRXES discovers and develops accurate and affordable preventive healthcare solutions, making them accessible to all, as well as deliver early, actionable and personalized diagnoses across the care continuum. MiRXES is headquartered in Singapore, with physical operations in United States, China and Japan, and commercial activities in broader Asia-Pacific markets. In 2019, MiRXES launched GASTROClear, the world's first microRNA blood test for early detection of gastric cancer. In 2022, Project CADENCE (CAncer Detected Early caN be CurEd), an ambitious undertaking to develop a single blood test for early detection of nine high mortality cancers, powered by our first-in-class miRNA & methylation biomarker combination and technologies, was launched. MiRXES currently has a staff strength of more than 360 globally, with over 100 staff focused on research & development. MiRXES has raised USD 130 million in venture funding since 2016, which is among the largest for Asia based, privately held molecular diagnostic companies.

For more information, visit https://mirxes.com/

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About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before.

Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 40 locations globally, giving start-ups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 64,000 start-ups and 500 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate start-up ecosystem in many industries.

We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 1,000 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $9 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal. For more information: visit www.plugandplayapac.com.  

With more than 15 years' experience of early stage investing and scaling corporate innovation, Plug and Play is a highly successful investor and a preferred accelerator partner for major corporations, with a keen ability to identify, attract, and accelerate founders who want to solve industry challenges and scale new technologies. With its APAC regional headquarters in Singapore, Plug and Play will curate access to suitable emerging maritime focused technology start-ups which complement RightShip's business, with a specific focus on sustainability.

RightShip will collaborate with identified start-ups to scale their solutions and enhance their reach within the maritime industry, and in doing so advance RightShip's vision of zero harm in the sector. Depending on start-up maturity, collaboration could span anything from solution co-creation, data provision and pilots, to proof of concepts.

Tarun Mehrotra, Chief Strategy Officer at RightShip, said: "For us, this exciting collaboration enables and accelerates our ability to understand the landscape of emerging technology solutions around key ESG themes, with a view to starting partnerships or co-creating and scaling solutions.

"Our collaboration with Plug and Play also allows us to focus on specific sub-themes such as crew welfare, emissions monitoring and provenance transparency, to search for emerging solutions that can be scaled within the maritime industry. We are specifically joining the Sustainability vertical of Plug and Play where they aim to bring global start-ups to partner with us around our areas of priorities. This will also accelerate the partnership ecosystem of RightShip."

Jupe Tan, Managing Partner of Plug and Play APAC added: "We are delighted to have RightShip, the world's leading maritime digital platform, be a part of Plug and Play's global innovation ecosystem. Our goal is to provide line-of-sight into innovative start-ups that are shaping the future of the maritime industry as well as supporting the sustainability and social responsibility practices on shore and at sea."

About RightShip  

Established in 2001, RightShip is the world's leading ESG focused digital maritime platform, providing expertise in global safety, sustainability and social responsibility practices. Founded with the mission to drive operational improvements in the global shipping industry, more than 3,000 people use RightShip's due diligence, environmental and inspections services to help them manage risk and improve overall maritime safety standards.

https://www.rightship.com/

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before.

Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 40 locations globally, giving start-ups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 64,000 start-ups and 500 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate start-up ecosystem in many industries.

We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 1,000 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $9 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal.

For more information: visit www.plugandplayapac.com 

AboitizPower will work hand in hand with Plug and Play APAC to discover new technologies and trends to accelerate its 10-year renewable energy growth strategy to achieve a 50:50 balance mix between its thermal and renewable portfolios by 2030. The partnership will also boost AboitizPower's digitalization strategy, which is a key driver of its sustainable energy transformation journey.

"Sustainability has always been at the core of AboitizPower's operations. Our balanced mix strategy has enabled us to supply our customers with reliable and affordable energy while keeping our environmental impact at a minimum. We expect that our partnership with Plug and Play will provide us with increased agility, adaptability, and innovative solutions that will allow us to achieve our growth aspirations and build a more sustainable future," said Emmanuel V. Rubio, President and CEO, AboitizPower

"With increasing uncertainty comes opportunities for adaptation. At AboitizPower, we believe that we must innovate to both sustain our current business and to create the future of energy. We believe that we cannot do this alone and that we must do this as a community. It is with belief that we join the Plug and Play community," said Carlos Aboitiz, Chief Corporate Services Officer, AboitizPower.

"We're delighted to have AboitizPower, the largest subsidiary of the Philippines' most respected conglomerate Aboitiz Group, join the Plug and Play global innovation platform. Our goal is to provide the line of sight into the most innovative startups shaping the future of sustainable energy as well as digital transformation across other relevant Smart Cities industries," said Shawn Dehpanah, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Innovation and Investment at Plug and Play APAC.

Plug and Play's Smart Cities startups will now be able to work alongside AboitizPower and collaborate on new ideas and relationships towards its '4D's Modern Energy System strategy including Decarbonization, Digitalization, Decentralization and Democratization. Some of the key focus areas this year include Hydrogen, DERs & Virtual Power Plants, Energy Marketplace Platform, Carbon Capture & Storage and EV/EV Infrastructure.

About AboitizPower

AboitizPower is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group's investments in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services. It advances business and communities by providing reliable and ample power supply at a reasonable and competitive price, and with the least adverse effects on the environment and host communities.

The company is one of the largest power producers in the Philippines with a balanced portfolio of assets located across the country. It is a major producer of Cleanergy, the company's brand for clean and renewable energy with several hydroelectric, geothermal, and solar power generation facilities. AboitizPower, together with its partners, is the Philippines' largest owner and operator of renewable energy based on installed capacity. It also has thermal power plants in its generation portfolio to support the country's baseload and peak energy demands.

The company also owns distribution utilities that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including the country's second and third largest private utilities.

In the next 10 years, the company will significantly expand its Cleanergy portfolio, in support of the government's efforts to promote renewable energy in the country. AboitizPower will build an additional 3,700 MW of renewable energy, growing its existing Cleanergy capacity threefold by 2030.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 35 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 30,000 startups and 500 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $9 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal.

For more information: visit www.plugandplayapac.com

The strategic partnership, which spans across Southeast Asia, will see Income working with regional insurers, start-ups and digital ecosystem partners within Plug and Play's network to scale its innovative products and services to serve consumers across the ASEAN region.

The partnership will be the first regional collaboration between Plug and Play and Income that not only focuses on cross-vertical business collaborations but also enhances financial access and value-adds to the existing customer journeys of non-financial ecosystem partners.

Over the last few years, Income has created and launched innovative insurance products such as lifestyle-based microinsurance propositions, Droplet and SNACK to fit the needs of increasingly digitally-savvy customers in Singapore.

These innovations and know-how are folded into and powered by HIVE by Income's Insurance-as-a-Service (IaaS) API platform where regional partners will be able to connect to and take advantage of pre-built insurtech integrations with minimal additional cost and development time. This value-adds to partners' existing solutions and strengthens their value propositions, allowing them to capture new customer segments and drive greater accessibility to insurance.           

"One of the key enablers for redefining the playing field is trust. As Income continues to expand in the region, it is important for us to partner reputable like-minded brands to build on valuable customer relationships to expand into adjacencies. We believe digital platforms have the ability to orchestrate end-to-end visibility through a wide array of data, to continue to create value with customers' need at the heart of the proposition. This partnership with Plug and Play is very timely as it brings speed to our recent foray overseas via HIVE's Insurance-as-a-Service platform." said Edlyn Khoo, Deputy Vice President, Digital Transformation Office, Income. 

As part of the strategic partnership, Income and Plug and Play will jointly launch a series of regional innovation showcases to provide a springboard for exchange of ideas and sharing of best practices. The first of such events, known as HIVE Innovation Day, will take place via a hybrid format in Vietnam on 25 March. It will discuss the sharp advantage that data can bring to digital ecosystems to drive innovative financial offerings via various industry case studies. 

"Since the launch of our Insurtech accelerator in Singapore in 2018, we have always been keen on a partnership with Income, given that it's a reputable household name in Singapore and amongst the largest composite insurer in the country. More significantly, this partnership with Income denotes our first regional foray into launching our corporate partners in new markets, where we will look to ideate, pivot, localize and scale products and ventures, through in-market partnerships within our network of over 500 corporations across the world. We are eager to see how this exciting partnership with Income will unfold given the diverse and extensive opportunities that are set to come with our multi-industry partner ecosystem in Asia Pacific," added Jupe Tan, Managing Partner at Plug and Play APAC.
    
About NTUC Income

NTUC Income is Singapore's leading composite insurer, offering life, health and general insurance that serve the protection, savings and investment needs of different life stages and for as of society.  Income's innovative, data-driven and omni-channel approach puts us at the forefront of customer-centric solutions that meet rapidly evolving needs and empower better financial well-being. Income was established in 1970 and remains the only insurance co-operative in Singapore. We remain committed to creating a positive social impact through our products, services and people. Our financial strength and diversified investment portfolio is reflected by our strong credit ratings which underpin the delivery of our commitment to customers.  For more information, please visit www.income.com.sg

About HIVE by Income

HIVE by Income is a Singapore-based Insurance-as-a-Service (IaaS) platform, enabling any insurer and digital platform owner across the region to launch, localise and scale innovative embedded insurance propositions. Our pre-built insurtech integrations enhance our partners' speed to market, and their ability to capture new customer segments and engagement with minimal additional cost and a competitive advantage that is data-driven. For more information, please visit: hive.income.com.sg.      

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and a global VC to facilitate technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since its inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 25 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 40,000 startups and 500 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $7 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal.

Our Singapore office was launched in 2010 to invest in high tech startups in the region. Since then we have invested in more than 50 startups and have collaborated with various agencies of the Singapore and Indonesian governments, as well as partnered with multinational and regional corporations to run industry-specific accelerator programs. For more information, please visit www.plugandplayapac.com

As one of the largest markets within ASEAN, the Philippines is increasingly becoming a hotspot and prime location for market expansion.

With the objectives of de-risking the risky nature of market expansion and to shorten startups' learning curve, this five-to-eight week market-sensing program aims to support early-stage, growth-driven tech companies that wish to gain a deeper understanding about the Manila market by providing them a soft-landinginto the market. Startup companies that already have a presence in Manila may also wish to tap on the program to accelerate their access to capital, customers, and talent.

Program Content: What to Expect?

The main pillars that make up the GIA Manila Program are content workshops, targeted mentorship sessions, and sales and fundraising pitching opportunities to Plug and Play's corporate and investor network.

The interactive content workshops are led by industry experts who discuss a variety of essential topics ranging from the ins and outs of Manila Business Culture, Sales Environment, Investment Landscape, Enterprise Legalities, and Talent Acquisition–all of which are accompanied by focused one-on-one discussions with the speakers through office hours sessions. Secondly, throughout the duration of the program, each startup will be matched with a mentor who will provide each startup with tailored and relevant professional guidance, whether in marketing, product development, partnership building, pitch and investment assistance, or overall business development. Lastly, the 8 weeks will culminate in the APAC Summit, Plug and Play's largest 3-day summit where startups will be able to pitch and showcase their solutions to Plug and Play's regional network of corporate partners, investors, and other ecosystem enablers. Pitch polishing workshopsand pitch video production will be provided in preparation for these events as well, and Plug and Play will facilitate introductions with business leads post-event.

While the program and its benefits are open to businesses from any sector, a special look-out is placed on Proptech, Construction-tech, Retail Analytics, e-Commerce and e-Commerce enablers for the upcoming batch. A previous batch of GIA Manila startups saw over 300 introductions made among 10 participants who came from an exciting variety of verticals such as Robotics, Healthtech, Gaming, Data, Martech, Edutech, Proptech, Fintech, and Enterprise Solutions.

PnP Network, and benefits: How is this possible?

The program provided the cohorts with heightened access to Plug and Play's robust startup and corporate ecosystem in Manila and the wider Southeast Asia. From market experts, to investment firms and corporate innovation arms, Plug and Play's community partners demonstrated their support through business introductions, targeted dealflows, and office hours sessions.

Cases in point

Plug and Play takes pride in the tailored approach of matching each startup to mentors who will provide them with access to relevant industry information, partnerships, and guide them through their market entry strategy. One of the startups from the previous cohort, frankie, a mental health and wellness tool, was mentored by Jong, a mentor with deep experience in healthcare sector and business development activities. With his strong background and expertise in business development for major companies, Jong not only imparted his knowledge of the healthcare sector in Manila, but also leveraged his network to link frankie up with a well known and established hospitality corporation, to explore a suitable marketing channel angled towards travel and wellness packages as an alternative way for frankie to enter Manila.

Wallet Engine, another participant in the recent batch, is a fintech startup which enables apps to seamlessly embed finance gateway for cross-border apps. They operate in a niche and heavily regulated industry that typically requires months (or even years) of setting up and obtaining licenses. Their mentor, Arnold Moralejo, founder of an investment firm, who helped ease these struggles by fostering a partnership between Wallet Engine and one of his portfolio companies, Qwikwire, a startup that specializes in global banking payment facilities. This partnership allows Wallet Engine to leverage on their existing remittance license while minimizing the regulatory processes.

In the Philippines, where the business culture is heavily driven by relationships with key decision makers, access is naturally a main hurdle with corporates who are selective with their partners. The value and importance of an in-market enabler and targeted support is hence second to none. From more structured elements via the program, such as market deep dives and workshops that unlock access to operators, practitioners and professionals, to ad-hoc support that connects startups with key corporations such as JG Summit or SM Retail, Plug and Play together with ESG, is more than ready to assist any Singapore companies that are looking into the Philippines.

Launching of Batch 3

To participate in the upcoming cohort, you may visit this registration link.

About Enterprise Singapore

Enterprise Singapore is the government agency championing enterprise development. We work with committed companies to build capabilities, innovate and internationalise. We also support the growth of Singapore as a hub for global trading and startups. As the national standards and accreditation body, we continue to build trust in Singapore's products and services through quality and standards. With Enterprise Singapore's global network in over 35 locations, it connects businesses with relevant Singapore companies for their business expansion.

The Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) is a network of Singapore and overseas partners in major innovation hubs and key demand markets, with a focus on technology and innovation. The GIA network currently spans 16 cities in 12 countries. The GIA has partnered in-market players around the world to run inbound and outbound GIA Programmes to connect companies to overseas business and tech communities, and potential opportunities. Plug and Play is our GIA Partner in Jakarta and Manila.

For more information: visit https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/gia

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 35 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 30,000 startups and 500 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $9 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal.

Our Asia Pacific headquarters was launched in Singapore in 2010 and we have since expanded into Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Since then we have invested in more than 50 startups and have collaborated with various governments as well as multinational and regional corporations to multiply their innovation efforts through initiatives such as industry-specific accelerator programs.

For more information: visit www.plugandplayapac.com

About Infocomm Media Development Authority

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore's digital transformation with infocomm media. To do this, IMDA will develop a dynamic digital economy and a cohesive digital society, driven by an exceptional infocomm media (ICM) ecosystem – by developing talent, strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore's ICM infrastructure. IMDA also regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while fostering a pro-business environment, and enhances Singapore's data protection regime through the Personal Data Protection Commission.

For more information: visit www.imda.gov.sg