The Smart Port Challenge this year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic proves to be even more relevant for the industry. The closure of many businesses is a timely reminder that we need to be agile, innovative, and resilient. We can turn a crisis into opportunities. The partnership between start-ups and shipping companies allows diverse talent and fresh ideas to reimagine how things are done in the maritime sector. I look forward to hearing the solutions to the more complex challenges that COVID-19 has posed to our maritime sector. All the best for the Grand Finals!
Ms Quah Ley Hoon
Chief Executive of MPA
The unprecedented time we are in has presented numerous opportunities for PIER71 start-ups to reimagine and transform the maritime space into a modern business. Tapping on the university’s vast research and knowledge capability, together with our global network and ecosystem, I hope start-ups provide effective and impactful solutions to real world problems that corporates and businesses can adopt to accelerate economic growth. I am glad over the last three years, PIER71 start-ups have collaborated with various partners, stakeholders and the programme has gained industry traction as an esteemed maritime accelerator programme in Asia. This year, we again await the exciting innovations that will propel the maritime sector.
Professor Freddy Boey
NUS Deputy President (Innovation and Enterprise)
Corporate Co-creators
This year’s Smart Port Challenge offers 17 innovation opportunities co-created with these 16 corporates.
The process of identifying business challenges that can be translated into opportunities for maritime corporates to collaborate with start-ups kicked off in February with a virtual workshop. Several of these corporates were also involved in Smart Port Challenge in previous years.
