AUGUST 2021 — A brand new space for entrepreneurs and start-ups to innovate!

A Thriving Space for Entrepreneurship

Given that one of RP’s five-year strategic thrusts is to focus on technology, innovation, and enterprise, the launch of Entrepreneurial Partnership & Innovation Community (EPIC) underscores our commitment by expanding the breadth of entrepreneurship opportunities for our students, alumni and partners.

EPIC provides a wealth of resources, facilities and programmes, and brings together aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and key stakeholders from both the private and public sectors, facilitating collaboration and networking to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Industry players are also able to tap on RP’s innovative talent pool, spearheading projects with lasting societal and commercial impact.

The Elements of Success

EPIC was launched on 25 August 2021 by Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, who also toured the facility along with Dr Maliki Osman, Second Minister for Education. During the tour, they met with four RP-incubated start-ups: Altimate Nutrition, an alternative sustainable protein supplement company; Motorist, an AutoConcierge platform that simplifies vehicle ownership through smart solutions; VE Capital Asia, an IT solutions and services company; and GO!MAMA, creators of “plug and play” lactation pods. In total, RP is supporting 29 start-ups, of which 15 start-ups are currently based in EPIC.

First-Of-Its-Kind Collaboration with Leading Agri-Tech Incubator

In addition to meeting RP’s home-grown start-ups, Mr Chan Chun Sing and Dr Maliki Osman met with representatives from RP’s industry partners, including Mr Brien Chua, Managing Director, Sheldon Global Pte Ltd, and Mr Anton Wibowo, CEO, Trendlines Agrifood Innovation Centre (AFIC).

RP has had a well-established partnership with Trendlines AFIC since 2019. Earlier in June 2021 – with support from Enterprise Singapore – we launched the Trendlines-RP Agrifood Innovation Programme, a first-of-its-kind collaboration. The programme provides a range of benefits, from market access to extensive networks, giving start-ups the boost they need to jump-start their agrifood journey.

It is also one of four key initiatives that are laid out in the MOU signed between Trendlines AFIC and RP.

In total, 15 teams have participated in the Trendlines-RP Agrifood Innovation Programme. Amongst them are The Shell Company that aims to start urban farming of snail genus Helix/Cornus Aspersa in Singapore, promoting an alternative protein source often viewed as ‘posh’ and ‘expensive’; and Biophilic, which produced Aquis Organic Fertilisers from Lactobacillus Technology to support soil health and plant nutrition, and aims to promote environmental sustainability.

The programme ended with the Trendlines-RP Agrifood Demo Day, a concluding event held on 20 October 2021. A distinguished panel of industry judges presided over a competition that would give selected agrifood start-ups the chance to win a coveted 6-month incubation contract with Trendlines AFIC. The event closed with the emergence of two winning teams: The Shell Company and Altimate Nutrition.

Mr Wibowo was in full support of the kick-off, saying, “It is always encouraging to see budding and serial entrepreneurs in the mix to apply their expertise and experience in solving essential food security problems.”

The Trendlines-RP Agrifood Innovation Programme is part of RP’s effort to enrich and expand Singapore’s agrifood scene. Additional contributions made to the sector include researching food trends, and developing innovative food substitutes and solutions through avenues such as RP's Formulation and Nutrition Science Technology Centre.