Could you share more about your internationalisation programs and how they support tech businesses expanding globally?
At Catalonia T&I we support all types of companies, from Startups to large corporations, and across all sectors, so long as their strategy contemplates growing internationally. Having said that, what works in neighbouring European markets like France or the UK is often not the same as what does in markets like those of Southeast Asia.
In the Asean region there is strong competition in any labour intensive sector, so our focus is in innovation and tech areas. For such companies we facilitate their entry into the region via Singapore, either via individual programs where we link them up to potential customers, business partners and investors or via group activities such as tech missions or joint participation at events like Switch. We also facilitate the participation of Catalan Startups at local innovation challenges and the reverse too, approaching Singapore Startups that have solutions we think could fit the requirements of challenges put up by Catalan corporates.
Can you share some of the exciting startups you’re currently working with, and which ones you believe have strong potential in the Singapore market?
Some of our last year Switch participants are making indeed inroads into Singapore and the region. Metascan, a Builder of 3D custom scanners and provider of human scanning services signed is carrying out a pilot with a Singapore partner. Another one, Roka Furadada, develops a smart molecule that offers tailored photoprotection in sun lotions and is likewise carrying out a collaboration with a Singapore party. We are currently in the midst of conversations with a Bluetech Catalan Startup that restores and regenerates maritime infrastructures and whose solution we believe will be of high interest to the Singapore Market.
How do you typically help startups connect with key stakeholders in Singapore, such as investors, resellers, or potential customers?
This is actually our bread and butter. Our team in Singapore is constantly reaching out to local companies with the profile of interest, be it VCs, accelerators, corporate investors or business partners with whom our Startups can team u. Over the years we have collected a large number of contacts that we keep alive and updated. Participating at Switch is crucial indeed: on the one hand, during the phases leading up to the event we reach out to that ecosystem to introduce our Startups, on the other, during the event itself we further expand that initial database.
From your perspective, what are the most exciting opportunities or industries in Singapore right now that startups should be exploring?
Singapore is not just a market in itself but also the gateway to its larger neighbours. As such, what may not necessarily be of interest to the local market may have tremendous potential in other countries like Indonesia or Vietnam, opening up a lot the scope of opportunities to explore. Consumer Tech is an area of obvious interest to Singapore and the region, given its large population and tech-oriented population. Medtech and Health Tech in general remain areas of huge interest, whereas other areas less obvious such as Blue Tech or Space Tech are starting to get real momentum too.
Why should Singaporean startups explore your market as part of their own global expansion journey?
We are living through a difficult period for trade relations, where some of the traditional trade and even political alliances are shifting, to say the least. The positive side of these developments is that nations who are still keen on globalisation are both contemplating and seeking alternatives to spread their risk.
Barcelona is the largest Startup ecosystem of Southern Europe and yet the relation between its ecosystem and Singapore’s is still small. In Barcelona, Singapore Startups will find a thriving ecosystem with all the necessary ingredients to succeed and tap both the local market and also the local expertise.
