NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS) today announced the launch of BLOCK71 Jakarta.
This is a result of a partnership between them and Indonesian conglomerate Salim Group, which has business activities spanning across various industries.
“BLOCK71 Jakarta will allow entrepreneurs and innovators from Singapore and Indonesia to work together and tap upon the combined experience and resources of NUS Enterprise and Salim Group. We have been identifying relevant Singapore technologies and startups that are interested in piloting or test-bedding their ideas in Indonesia and introducing them to BLOCK71 Jakarta,” said Dr. Lily Chan, CEO of NUS Enterprise.
Added Mr. Axton Salim, Salim Group’s Executive Director, “We have embarked upon this initiative as we want to support entrepreneurs as well as encourage new developments in Indonesia. The Salim Group’s networks and experience will facilitate the entry of startups and innovations to the local market and benefits the community here.”
The launch event was officiated by Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) and Mr. Enggartiasto Lukita, Indonesia’s Minister of Trade.
With a mission to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem centred around the very successful Singapore model, BLOCK71 Jakarta is a 1,500sqm incubation facility located in Kuningan, Jakarta’s ‘Golden Triangle’ – an area popular with the city’s thriving tech community.
Said Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, “BLOCK71 Jakarta will be a launchpad for Singapore entrepreneurs and innovators to build ties with the Indonesian start-up community, and explore opportunities to work together. This is an example of what we hope to achieve with a network of partners to build a Global Innovation Alliance, which was a recommendation by the Singapore Committee on the Future Economy earlier this year.”
“This Indonesia-Singapore partnership is also a timely one, given that 2017 marks the 50th year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Indonesia. We hope BLOCK71 Jakarta will foster a healthy two-way exchange of ideas, innovation, and expertise between Singapore and Indonesia.“
Application is open to all startups who want to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey and utilise the global network of resources and contacts that NUS Enterprise and Salim Group possesses.
Startups can also benefit from the range of support programmes that NUS Enterprise organises, and get to participate in entrepreneurial initiatives organised at the facility.
Said Dr. Lily Chan, “BLOCK71 Jakarta is open to all startups and entrepreneurs who are keen to explore the Indonesian market. In particular, we strongly encourage companies which are developing innovative technology solutions with the potential to scale globally, to apply.”
The facility is said to be able to hold around 200 people, and would cost around S$80/month for each desk occupied.
Currently, some 20 startups are already based at BLOCK71 Jakarta – half of whom are from Singapore.
Pioneering Singapore occupants include Carro, 99.c0, Circles.Life, Asian Parents, pslove company, Airfrov and Viddsee. Indonesian startups include 8villages, Flolab, Skyshi and Data Science Indonesia.
Benefitting Both Singaporean And Indonesian Startups
At a media briefing with 2 Singaporean startups Viddsee and pslove company, the founders of both agreed that the new facility would only serve to help them in their growth and expansion.
From an exchange of ideas with like-minded individuals to being able to get invaluable insights from local startups, BLOCK71 Jakarta would help in building a much needed ‘bridge’ to the often hard-t0-access Indonesian market.
Indonesian startups will also stand to benefit from the influx of perspectives and innovation that their Singaporean counterparts can provide.
By building a strong community centered around entrepreneurship and innovation, collaborations and the sharing of best practices are also expected to surface as BLOCK71 Jakarta grows.
BLOCK71 Suzhou – Coming Soon
Another exciting update from the briefing was that BLOCK71 is also intending to expand to Suzhou, China.
Why Suzhou though?
Said Dr. Lily Chan, “There is no perfect place to land in China – you just land.”
The facility, created in partnership with NUSRI and Ascendas-Singbridge, would be located at Suzhou Industrial Park, and is slated to be launched by the end of this year.
