MPA, NUS to launch expanded PIER71 programme

The expanded program has two new components.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the National University of Singapore announced that they will expand the scope of their Port Innovation Ecosystem Reimagined @ BLOCK71 (PIER71) programme to better Support Singapore’s maritime technology ecosystem.

The program expansion is part of MPA and NSU’s renewed partnership which will last for another three years.

Senior Minister of State for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, said the expanded PIER71 program includes two new components.

The first addition to the program is the PIER71 Ascend which is a 12-month invite-only scale-up program aimed at “connecting start-ups to overseas markets and government stakeholders, as well as prospective maritime customers.”

Promising startups may be granted financial support of up to S$100,000 to scale their solutions, under MPA’s MINT-STARTUP scheme.

Under the expanded PIER71 programme, structured pitching and venture capital networking events will also be held for start-ups “to gain access to investors and capital.”

The networking events are also expected to increase the number of investments into PIER71™ and partner programmes’ alumni.

WeavAir, which won first place in the recently concluded Smart Port Challenge 2021 Grand Final, recommended the programme to “all start-ups who are in or considering expanding in the maritime industry.”