Technology Enterprise Commercialisation Scheme (TECS)

What is TECS? Criteria What kind of projects qualify? What costs qualify for support? How are projects evaluated?

What is TECS?

SPRING is committed to the growth and development of innovative and competitive enterprises. As part of our efforts to develop a new breed of technologically innovative global enterprises, the Technology Enterprise Commercialisation Scheme (TECS) aims to catalyse the formation and growth of such start-ups based on strong technology Intellectual Property and a scalable business model.

We recognise the risks involved in the R&D of entirely new, innovative and potentially market-changing technology IP. Hence, through the TECS, SPRING provides early-stage funding to successful applicants to fund such R&D efforts towards the commercialisation of proprietary technology ideas.

The TECS is a competitive grant in which proposals are ranked based on the evaluation of both technical and commercial merits by a team of reviewers, and the best are funded. Submissions can be made through this TECS portal anytime, throughout the year. Proposals are reviewed every two months or earlier.

	Project Details	Support
Proof of Concept (POC) For applicants who wish to develop proprietary ideas at conceptualisation stage	You are invited to send in a proposal for your idea. All proposals will first be assessed on technical feasibility and commercial potential. Individual applicants will be required to demonstrate commitment to continue their technology commercialisation work in the event they are awarded a grant and successfully complete the project.	Up to 100% of qualifying costs for each project will be supported, up to maximum of S$250,000.
Proof of Value (POV) For applicants who are keen to carry out further research and development on a technology project, including the development of a working prototype.	You are required to demonstrate proof of interest from a potential customer or 3rd party investor. You will also have to demonstrate the necessary business competencies to execute the project.	Up to 85% of qualifying costs for each project will be supported, up to maximum of S$500,000.
Qualifying costs include :  Manpower-related costs Professional Services Equipment/ Software Intellectual Property Rights Materials & Consumables Other Operating Expenditure POV funding will also include support for Prototyping-related Services.

Criteria

Your Idea Or Project Must :

1. Clearly demonstrate how science/technology is applied
2. Be of a breakthrough level of innovation (i.e. Distinctly different or absolutely new technology which either (1) has the potential to disrupt an existing market; or (2) to replace, or even create, a new market/purpose/niche.)
3. Riskier and further away from the market
4. Lead to or build on proprietary know-how/IP
5. Be commercially viable

Applicants Can Be :

Start-up Companies

1. Registered for less than 5 years at time of award
2. At least 30% local shareholding
3. Company’s group FAI below $15 million
4. Maximum 200 employees (for service sector)
5. Incorporated & physically present in Singapore
6. At least one in-house research scientist or engineer (RSE)

OR

Research Scientists and Engineers (POC Projects Only)

1. Currently working in a public sector research organisation
2. Willing to demonstrate entrepreneurial commitment to the commercialisation of any IP that arises from successful completion of the project

What kind of projects qualify?

Your project must be either a :

Proof-Of-Concept Project

Your idea is at the conceptualisation stage, and the technical / scientific viability still needs to be proven.

You should clearly explain the innovative science or technology concept behind the idea that is to be proven in the proposal. Individual applicants from public sector research institutes must demonstrate entrepreneurial commitment to continue their technology commercialisation work upon successful completion of the project.

Up to 100% of qualifying costs for each project will be supported, subject to a maximum of S$250,000.

OR

Proof-Of-Value Project

You already have a technically / scientifically viable concept (proof-of-concept available), and you wish to carry out further R&D or develop a working prototype, to validate the commercial merit of an established concept.

You need to show the technology concept you are building on, and the commercial merit to be validated. You will also be required to demonstrate proof-of-interest from a potential customer or 3rd party investor, and the necessary business competencies to execute the project.

Up to 85% of qualifying costs for each project will be supported, subject to a maximum of S$500,000.

Your Project Should Fall Under One Of The Following Areas :

Electronics, Photonics & Device Technologies	Wireless Electronics Flexible Electronics MEMS/NEMS Optoelectronics Power Electronics Sensors and Actuators Spin Electronics System-in-a-package System-on-a-chip
Chemicals, Advanced Materials & Micro / Nanotechnology	Multi-functional materials Composite technology Nano and Micro Electronics/Photonics/Magnetics Quantum and Molecular Modeling and Simulation of Devices and Systems
Information & Communication Technology (Excluding Interactive Digital Media)	Mobility Technology Infocomm Security Technology Infocomm Infrastructure and Architecture Green Information Technology Cloud Computing
Biomedical Sciences (Excluding Drug Discovery)	Diagnostic and Implantable systems Medical technology Platform technology for human healthcare applications

What costs qualify for support?

Basic Manpower Costs	Salaries plus employer’s CPF contribution, excluding bonuses Salaries for personnel with substantial stakes in the company are not supported under the POC grant
Professional Services	Includes consultancy, sub-contracting or prototyping costs by third party local companies
Equipment / Software	Includes purchase price, and costs related to commissioning and operation (eg. Delivery, installation, handling, etc.) Only Project-related technical software is supported
IP Rights (IPR) - Materials & Consumables	Includes licensing & technology acquisition costs from non-related parties
Other Operating Expenditure (Subject to approval)	General Airfare and COLA directly related to the project Training by external parties intrinsic to the project Patent-related costs Rental of specialised equipment or facilities

Points to note :
Project must not have commenced at the time of proposal submission.
Work should be done by the applicant (company), in Singapore, unless otherwise justified.

How are projects evaluated?

As described in the proposal template, the selection criteria for all phases of selection includes, but is not necessarily limited to :

• Strength Of The Scientific / Technical Idea
  • Level Of Originality/ Inventiveness/ Novelty
  • Technical Feasibility Of Project
• Ability To Successfully Carry Out The Project
  • Scientific / Technical Capabilities Of Development Team
  • Business Competencies Of Management Team
  • Conceptual Framework, Design And Methodology
  • Access To Relevant Resources (Eg. Specialised Laboratories & Equipment)
• Commercialization Potential
  • Potential Manufacturability / Scalability o Potential To Attract Further Funding & Market Demand o Defensibility Of Intellectual Property
• Economic Benefits To Singapore

Selection Process

Applicants are reminded that the selection is run on a competitive basis.

There are three (3) main stages of selection :

• Stage I (Eligibility Screening)
• Stage II (Focus on Technical Aspects)
• Stage III (Focus on Commercial Aspects)

Stage I
Proposals are reviewed for applicant as well as content eligibility. This includes such aspects as verification of the suitability of the project’s area of technology, and the applicant’s profile.

Stage II
Proposals are assessed for the innovativeness and feasibility of the technology, with some evaluation on the commercial viability.

Stage III
Applicants whose proposals pass stage II evaluations present their projects to a panel which assesses both the commercial and technical aspects of the project, with the focus on the former.

The decision of the evaluation panel at any phase is final.

Selection Process Flowchart