Antler, a startup generator and early-stage VC firm in Singapore, has announced a partnership with National University of Singapore (NUS) via its Graduate Research Innovation Programme to launch an executive programme to enable more entrepreneurs to build successful deeptech startups.
Antler and NUS aim to enable and invest in around 30 deeptech startups annually through this joint initiative. They will provide founders with the support to form the right team, funding of up to S$240,000 (US$177,000) each, and access to their combined global advisory networks.
This programme allows talents to keep their current jobs while they explore finding the right partners and launching their new ventures. With Antler’s methodology, founders with software or deeptech skills will be matched to those with a business background, to create a strong founding team.
NUS will provide teams with access to its rich repository of research-based technologies and innovations, which they can tap on to formulate their startups.
The programme will run in two phases for a total of six months. Under phase I, participants will form a team to identify and validate a business idea. At the end of this phase, teams will be evaluated for S$100,000 investment by Antler.
Also Read: This project management tool from Cambodia wants to give Trello, Asana a run for their money
Companies selected by Antler for investment that are eligible will enter phase II to develop their prototype and business case further to be market-ready. At the end of this, companies will be evaluated for further funding of S$100,000 by NUS.
“We see a lot of entrepreneurial talents tied by ‘golden handcuffs’ to their jobs in leading corporates, late-stage startups, universities, etc. They are highly capable and experienced, have deep domain expertise and intrapreneurial experiences such as launching new products and developing new markets,” said Mike Nikou, Partner, Capital, Antler.
“They want to start their own companies but are unable to take the ‘leap of faith’ and quit their jobs; at least not before building their teams, validating their ideas and securing initial investments,” he added.
The partnership between Antler and NUS will kick off in a pilot in the first quarter of 2020 with an expected intake of more than 60 commercial and tech founders. Participants will be selected based on their expertise (business or technical), entrepreneurial amplitude, and commitment to starting up if their project is funded.
For a start, the programme will support startups across four categories — bio & healthtech, sustainability & environment, industry 4.0, and Artificial Intelligence.
“This joint programme brings together the best of NUS’s tech talents, cutting edge IP, tech advisors and facilities, and the Antler’s global network of advisors and investors, to help startups be competitive at a global level from the onset,” said Irene Cheong, Director, NUS Industry Liaison Office.
“Our programme will help commercial founders pair up with software and deeptech founders, and form scalable and defensible startups. Both NUS and Antler are bringing our validated methodologies in successful startup generation to create international deep tech champions,” said Dimitri Maroulis, Senior Director, Program, Antler.
Applications for the joint executive programme are open from now until 5 January 2020. Representatives from Antler and NUS will be present at the upcoming Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) event, from 11 to 13 November 2019, to share more about this new programme with interested attendees at their respective booths.
Business and tech candidates (NUS and non-NUS) can apply here.
The post New Antler-NUS initiative to nurture deeptech talents, to invest in 30 startups annually appeared first on e27.