18 August 2016
The inaugural Singapore Week of Innovation & TeCHnology (SWITCH) – a new platform concept where complementing tech and innovation events come together to “plug and play” – will make its debut from 19 to 21 September 2016 at the Resorts World Convention Centre. SWITCH will be officially launched by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Chairman, National Research
Foundation, on 20 September 2016.
2 SWITCH is the first platform in Singapore that will aggregate an array of public and private sector players in the innovation and enterprise ecosystem, to come together to build a concept week that showcases Singapore’s vibrant entrepreneurial and technology innovation ecosystem. SWITCH will feature exhibitions, conferences, workshops and activities revolving around topics such as open innovation, technology transfer, tech entrepreneurship, venture funding, and talent development. It also aims to open up a new genre of events that showcase the intersections of technology and lifestyle - the way we live, learn, work and play.
3 SWITCH will place Singapore on the global technology stage, and connect Asian innovators and start-ups to the international technology community of investors and industry leaders. Over 3,000 attendees comprising international technology organisations, investors, start-ups, corporations, government agencies and universities are expected to be involved in SWITCH. The longer-term vision for SWITCH is to build up a technology calendar of complementing partner events, spanning over a week or longer, where global innovators participate and mark as an essential flagship event in Asia.
4 The highlight of SWITCH is its two anchor events – Techventure (held in partnership with Slush Singapore this year) and TechInnovation, which are both established tech events in the Singapore technology calendar. This year’s Techventure will expand its reach by partnering Slush Singapore, a non-profit ground-up tech start-up movement, enhancing Singapore’s vibrant innovation and enterprise ecosystem and connecting it to the international innovation and enterprise community. A special feature this year to stimulate a ground-up approach to innovation and entrepreneurship is the recruitment and engagement of student volunteers from our local tertiary institutions who will play key roles in organising and operationalising Techventure/Slush Singapore.
5 Other partner events at SWITCH driven by grassroots ecosystem players include an aerospace start-up pitching competition, the first of its kind that will lead the next wave of innovation in the aerospace industry; workshops on angel investments and how start-ups can raise their first round; and a forum seeking to inspire more women to embark on the path of technology entrepreneurship.
6 Professor Low Teck Seng, CEO of the National Research Foundation (NRF) said, “Over the years, Singapore has grown steadily into a vibrant innovation and enterprise hub. In tandem with this growth, we hope that SWITCH will become the leading platform in Singapore that connects organisations and partners across the ecosystem to network and exchange ideas. By bringing everyone together to meet and discuss the latest tech and market trends, we can strengthen Singapore’s position as a relevant and supportive environment for start-ups and innovative ideas to grow. This will support Singapore’s next chapter of growth in the future economy.”
7 Professor Lam Khin Yong, Executive Director of IPI Singapore said, “IPI is excited that TechInnovation will feature strongly as the anchor event of SWITCH. This unique technology marketplace is part of IPI’s strategy to help SMEs gain direct access to the international network of technology opportunities for licensing or R&D partnership. We are pleased to be part of this national innovation week in Singapore for industry players, tech providers, and government agencies to come together to collaborate on new capabilities and business opportunities.”
8 Anna Ratala, Head of Slush Singapore said, “We are happy to partner Techventure to launch Slush in Singapore as Techventure has traditionally offered its attendees great content, and Slush is all about involving the community and celebrating entrepreneurship. Techventure’s partnership with Slush Singapore is also an anchor event under the new SWITCH, and Slush Singapore is excited to be involved to build an ecosystem that facilitates the right kind of matchmaking between investors and start-ups.”
9 Anthony Chow, CEO and co-founder of igloohome, which won the International Start-up Challenge in Techventure 2015, said, “Techventure 2015 was a great platform that enabled igloohome to gain exposure to a captive international audience. The relationships forged during the event helped fuel our growth both locally and in the region. Winning the pitch competition in the event was a great bonus as well! We are excited to participate in SWITCH, and it's very encouraging to see how the tech and innovation space in Singapore is getting increasingly vibrant. We believe that it will be a great opportunity to interact with other start-ups, and get in touch with investors and thought leaders in the field. We are heartened that SWITCH aims to place Singapore on the global technology stage, as this will bring about more opportunities for start-ups to grow further.”
10 SWITCH ON @ LaunchPad will close SWITCH 2016 by housing a showcase of fun and interactive technology and products by a selected group of about 15 start-ups based at LaunchPad. Participants will also learn about test-bedding projects across JTC’s estates and developments. There will be more than 30 start-ups and incubators who are opening their doors for walk-in, where visitors can peek into their working space and hear about their business journey. To add on to the festivities, SWITCH ON @ LaunchPad will end with an after party at Timbre+ where all in the tech ecosystem can network and build partnerships over a casual setting.
11 23 partners have come together this year to make the inaugural SWITCH happen. See Annex for a list of SWITCH partners. For more information on SWITCH, visit www.switchsg.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
For SWITCH
Ms Jerlyn Long
Senior Associate
Asia PR Werkz Pte Ltd (appointed PR agency for SWITCH)
Office: +65 6812 9822
Mobile: +65 9060 3302
Email: [email protected]
Ms Amanda Moey
Associate
Asia PR Werkz Pte Ltd (appointed PR agency for SWITCH)
Office: +65 6812 9818
Mobile: +65 9747 0027
Email: [email protected]
For Techventure, in partnership with Slush Singapore
Ms Hoh Suk Mun
Senior Officer, Corporate Communications
National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore
Office: +65 6694 5036
Mobile: +65 9150 2036
Email: [email protected]
Ms Amelia Chen
Head of PR & Marketing, Slush Singapore
Mobile: +65 9843 4386
Email: [email protected]
Ms Jerlyn Long
Senior Associate
Asia PR Werkz Pte Ltd (appointed PR agency for SWITCH)
Office: +65 6812 9822
Mobile: +65 9060 3302
Email: [email protected]
Ms Amanda Moey
Associate
Asia PR Werkz Pte Ltd (appointed PR agency for SWITCH)
Office: +65 6812 9818
Mobile: +65 9747 0027
Email: [email protected]
For TechInnovation
Ms Charlene Boh
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
IPI Singapore
Office: +65 6653 4913
Mobile: +65 9767 7792
Email: [email protected]
Ms Selena Sheikh
Director, PINPOINT Public Relations
Mobile: 9746 8519
Email: [email protected]
