image: A mentorship initiative has been set up to provide in-depth guidance tailored to A*PC's member companies, with the first 10 mentors officially appointed at the event on 14 January. view more
Credit: A*STAR Partners' Centre
The A*STAR Partners’ Centre (A*PC) officially launched the A*PC Innovative Science & Technology Partnership programme in Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) on 14 January 2022. Established in November 2020, A*PC is a launchpad for Singapore technology companies and offers funding and infrastructure support for their expansion and R&D productisation journey in China via Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP).
The hybrid launch event coincided with the first anniversary of the A*PC, and included an exhibition of its member companies’ technologies and products. Key partners such as the Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), and Enterprise Singapore (ESG) supported the launch event and exhibition. In attendance were Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Suzhou Municipal Committee, Party Secretary of CPC SIP Working Committee，Mr Shen Mi, and Member of CPC SIP Working Committee, Vice Chairman of SIP Administrative Committee, Mr Ni Qian, Mr Chua Teng Hoe, the Consul-General of Singapore in Shanghai; Prof Andy Hor, A*STAR Deputy Chief Executive (Research), Prof Tan Sze Wee, A*STAR Assistant Chief Executive (Enterprise) and Executive Director of A*PC; as well as other long-time strategic partners of A*PC.
A*STAR-SIP Technology and Innovation Partnership Programme
The A*STAR-SIP Technology and Innovation Partnership Programme is a new model for international innovation between A*STAR and SIP. The programme will help A*PC member companies expand their business in China, by connecting them to relevant platforms, institutions, and industry resources such as capital providers and professional services providers. A mentorship initiative has been set up to provide in-depth guidance tailored to each company, with the first 10 mentors officially appointed at the event.
A*PC intends to bring in outstanding entrepreneurs, scientists, academics and investors to be mentors for member companies from Singapore, and partner
companies in China who are interested to expand in Singapore. Mentors will share their start-up experience and understanding of business development in China through lectures and start-up bootcamps, to deepen companies’ understanding of the China market, avoid potential risks and gain access to more resources.
Mr Tan Chuan Seng, Centre Director of A*PC, said, “As their innovation and technology partner, A*PC will continue to help our member companies to succeed, by providing guidance through our entrepreneur mentorship programme.”
A Launchpad for Singapore Tech Companies Entering China
Within A*PC’s first year of becoming fully operational, 22 Singapore technology companies have come onboard as partners. Since its launch, A*PC has set up a series of tailored programmes to connect more Singapore companies with the technology sector in the greater Yangtze River Delta region, covering the key areas of biomedical technology, machine automation, and nanotechnology.
Prof Tan Sze Wee, Assistant Chief Executive, Enterprise, A*STAR, said, “In addition to A*PC’s role as a launchpad for Singapore tech startups and SMEs, we envision A*PC being a key platform for scientific and technological innovation exchanges between Singapore and China. Through A*PC, we also hope to seed greater understanding of Singapore’s scientific research capabilities among local Chinese technology companies.”
###
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR’s R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit https://www.a-star.edu.sg/
About the A*STAR Partners’ Centre
Located in the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, the A*STAR Partners’ Centre (A*PC) was launched at the 14th Singapore-Jiangsu Cooperation Council meeting in November 2020. It marks Suzhou Industrial Park’s first collaborative enterprise hub with an overseas government-backed research institution, and is also A*STAR’s first overseas branch. The establishment of A*STAR Partners’ Centre came from consensus within the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, with strong support from the Jiangsu Provincial Government, the Suzhou Municipal Government, and the Suzhou Industrial Park Management Committee, reinforcing China and Singapore’s commitment to the co-development and shared expertise in scientific research and technologies.
A*PC is committed to building a community of innovators influenced by Singapore and facilitating synergy and mutual development for both Singaporean and Chinese partners. A*PC supports Singapore's technology companies and helps them "go global" and enter the Chinese market through on-site technology research, commercialisation and marketing, using Suzhou Industrial Park as a launchpad. A*PC focuses its efforts on three areas: life sciences, manufacturing and logistics automation, and nanotechnology.