Could you share more about your internationalisation programs and how they support tech businesses expanding globally?
Startup.Flanders is a one-stop shop for all startups in Flanders seeking to expand internationally. We offer an array of services to help startups explore new markets and find success abroad. For example, Startup.Flanders supports a number of soft landing programmes and international missions for scale-ups on the path of international growth. Focused on specific technology hotspots, these initiatives combine expert insights, local know-how, and on-site prospection to increase the chances of success in new markets.
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?
One of the exciting startups we are working with that has recently set up a presence in Singapore is Robovision. The company’s computer vision AI platform is a pioneer in using 3D deep learning to facilitate the automation of labour intensive agricultural processes. It has since expanded the applications to manufacturing and healthcare, which sees strong potential in Singapore particularly for smart manufacturing and increasing healthcare efficiency.
Others with good prospects in Singapore include Paleo, a foodtech startup developing bio-identical, animal-free heme proteins, and Spectricity, a fabless company creating spectral sensing solutions using CMOS technologies.
How do you typically help startups connect with key stakeholders in Singapore, such as investors, resellers, or potential customers? Would you say events like SWITCH play a crucial role in that process?
Startup.Flanders is an initiative of Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), Flanders’ government agency for international trade and investment promotion. It can as such rely on FIT’s broad network, which also counts ten Science & Technology Offices in innovation hubs around the world – including Singapore, to connect startups with key stakeholders.
Through participation in global deep tech and innovation events such as SWITCH, Startup.Flanders and FIT are able to build up the profile of our ecosystem and startups. It is a meaningful platform for various stakeholders to meet, pitch, and gain access to markets, collaborators, and investors.
From your perspective, what are the most exciting opportunities or industries in Singapore right now that startups should be exploring? Are there specific verticals you’d like to dive deeper into or learn more about?
Singapore and Flanders are small, open economies that share many similarities. A number of strategic sectors in Singapore — semiconductor, biotech, agri-food tech, sustainability — are also areas where Flanders is traditionally strong in and see promising startups emerging from. They can benefit from various opportunities and leverage on the robust startup ecosystem here to scale. More than a specific vertical, we see deep tech innovation as an interesting driver of exciting developments in different industries and encourage companies to look at potential joint collaborations to translate research into real world applications.
Why should Singaporean startups explore your market as part of their own global expansion journey?
Flanders is the third fastest-growing startup ecosystem in Europe and a great location to launch an expansion into Europe. Its vibrant, R&D-driven and talent-packed ecosystem provides fertile grounds for entrepreneurs who wish to scale and succeed right from the heart of Europe. Singaporean startups can also expect a supportive environment for emerging ventures, with Startup.Flanders providing tailored advice, guidance on grants and funding support, as well as connecting you to opportunities, ecosystem players and partners. We welcome ambitious startups to make Flanders their home base for Europe and be part of our remarkable growth story.
