Facebook and IMDA launch 6-month accelerator for data startups

Applications will close on 7 December 2018.

Facebook launched Startup Station Singapore, a six-month programme to support data-driven startups. It is Facebook's second data innovation startup programme globally, after France. It is also the first in Asia.

The programme is set to kick off in February 2019. Facebook teamed up with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to launch the accelerator.

“It will empower startups to accelerate their businesses in new and cutting-edge ways, whilst continuing to keep peoples’ trust, transparency and control over their data at the core,” Facebook and IMDA said. “The first cohort will consist of startups from Singapore and around the region.”

The programme will offer mentorship from industry leaders and Facebook experts with expertise in artificial intelligence, product innovation, growth, and data protection. It will also provide networking opportunities with regional venture capitals and investors via demo day at the end of the programme. The startups that graduate from the programme will be invited to join Facebook’s startup alumni programme.

Facebook will also give training modules to help startups mature their businesses. It will also provide startups a chance to become part of its global programme FbStart.

Meanwhile, IMDA will facilitate a regulatory sandbox by allowing the development of new ideas through the use of data in a live environment. Startups will also get access to a co-working space that has equipment like a prototyping lab, studio production, and incubation facilities.

“Startup Station Singapore is open to any growth stage data-driven startup with established business model and datasets that are looking to scale their business. They can either be based in Singapore or within Southeast Asia,” Facebook and IMDA said.

Applications for the programme close on 7 December 2018.

Last month, Facebook also announced that it will invest $1.4b in a new data centre in the Jurong East district, citing the city's robust infrastructure, access to fibre, local workforce, and of community partners. The data centre is expected to support hundreds of jobs.