Boundless ideas at innovation fest
More than 6,000 global entrepreneurial players participated in the largest-ever InnovFest unBound, held at Marina Bay Sands from 17 to 18 May. The innovation festival and digital conference, which showcased 350 tech innovations and start-up exhibits, anchors the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore’s (IDA) week-long Smart Nation Innovations 2016 event.
InnovFest unBound, organised by NUS Enterprise and unBound Media with IDA, was graced by Guest-of-Honour Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation programme Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
Dr Balakrishnan, who is also Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs, pointed out in his keynote speech that the current gloomy world outlook is actually a symptom of the digital revolution taking place. This uncertain time is ripe with opportunities for those willing to seize them, he commented.
“What we’re trying to do in Singapore is to create the most conducive environment for people who get it, to be able to build it. So that in the future people will come to Singapore and when they leave, they will say, I have seen the future and it works,” he said.
A panel discussion titled “Global Innovation: Singapore and the World” featured Dr Balakrishnan, NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan and InnovFest unBound Co-Chair Mr Yossi Vardi. During the discussion, moderator unBound Media Founder and CEO Mr Daniel Seal asked the panellists to compare and contrast their observations of local and global entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Speaking at a panel discussion were (from left): Prof Tan, Mr Seal, Dr Balakrishnan and Mr Vardi
Universities play a very critical role in driving innovation systems, particularly in Singapore’s current phase. The key is talent, and attracting innovative students. Trying to give them experiences that enable them to express themselves to do things, and creating an enabling environment that allows them to test things out so that they can move on into the wider and more competitive environment outside,” said Prof Tan, weighing in on the question.
Two new NUS initiatives were unveiled at InnovFest unBound.
NUS Enterprise and sustainable urban solutions provider Ascendas Singbridge inked an agreement to explore the establishment of a deep technology innovation hub at Science Park 1. The facility would be well-positioned, due to its proximity to NUS and the National University Hospital, to enable start-ups, corporate accelerators and the university community to work on technology based on a scientific discovery or true technological innovation, otherwise known as deep technology.
The second initiative was an open wiki platform, TechSG, which allows players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem to own and update their profiles, including their connections to other players. The “crowdsourcing” platform facilitates connectivity amongst key players, to maximise idea flows, resource matching and access.
The innovation festival showcased Asian innovations and the latest disruptive technologies
InnovFest unBound Co-Chairs NUS Enterprise CEO Dr Lily Chan and Mr Vardi noted that the tech event had grown in size and scale over the years with this year’s attendance doubling that of 2015. It attracted a diverse range of participants, including entrepreneurs, corporate and brand executives, investors, academics and researchers. Thirty-six per cent of the audience were from 40 countries, with the largest delegations from Indonesia, Italy, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the US.
