The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is calling for local and international companies to join the Singapore Tourism Accelerator, which aims to develop solutions that will push the boundaries of the tourism industry. The pilot program presents the perfect opportunity for innovative Filipino start-up companies to think up transformative solutions that will aid the tourism sector and turn their visions into realities.
Mr Poh Chi Chuan, Director, Digital Transformation, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “With increasing disruption faced by the tourism sector, we are committed to help our industry partners meet the challenges and stay ahead of the competition. The Singapore Tourism Accelerator gives us a platform to work with companies with innovative solutions that can be applied across the industry and to enhance the overall visitor experience.”
The Accelerator was first announced during the 2019 Tourism Industry Conference and will run for two years. Through the program, STB and partner Found8 will select start-ups already at the prototyping or business development stage, as well as those that have piloted a breakthrough solution in another city who are looking for opportunities to scale their solutions in Singapore and Asian markets.
The Accelerator, located on STB’s premises, will take in its first batch of 12 companies in October. Philippine-based start-up businesses to be shortlisted will be able to learn and interact with up-and-coming innovators from all over the world, as well as established industry players including Expedia Group, Sentosa Development Corporation, SingEx Holdings, Singapore Airlines and Marina Bay Sands. During the first stage of the program, companies go through workshops and informal sharing sessions, to help refine and adapt their solutions to meet the needs of Singapore’s tourism sector.
Selected companies will move on to the next stage where they’ll receive funding support of 70% of qualifying costs, up to $25,000 per company, to test bed their solutions with an industry partner. The program concludes with a showcase where the chosen companies will pitch their business plans to industry stakeholders and investors.
Ms Grace Sai, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Found8 said: “Having supported more than 90 corporates in their innovation journeys, we are excited to lend our expertise to STB in this unique collaboration between a national tourism organisation and the start-up community. We look forward to seeing breakthrough innovations come to fruition through the Accelerator.”
Interested parties can apply via http://apply.SGtourismaccelerator.com until August 1, 2019. For more details, visit http://SGtourismaccelerator.com.