Technology Enterprise Commercialisation Scheme (TECS)

Overview Criteria Qualifying Projects Qualifying costs Projects Evaluation

Overview

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 annual sales turnover is not more than $100 million or group employment size is not more than 200 workers
4. Incorporated & physically present in Singapore
5. 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 organization, excluding Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs)
2. Willing to demonstrate entrepreneurial commitment to the commercialisation of any IP that arises from successful completion of the project

Qualifying Projects

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 Business Analytics Cloud Computing
Biomedical Sciences (Excluding Drug Discovery)	Diagnostic and Implantable systems Medical technology Platform technology for human healthcare applications
Water Technology (POC only)* * Post-POC, water -related projects can be supported under Fast-Tech Scheme	Seawater Desalination Biological Processes Chemical Redox Technologies Watershed Management Water Supply Processes Sensors & Instrumentation Sludge & Brine Management Climate Change

Qualifying costs

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.

Projects Evaluation

The evaluation criteria include, but are not necessarily limited to :

• Strength of the Scientific / Technical Idea & Approach
  • Strength and Innovativeness of Overall Idea and Approach
  • Technical Feasibility of Project
  • Conceptual Framework, Design and Methodology
• Ability To Successfully Carry Out The Project
  • Scientific / Technical Capabilities of Development Team
  • Business Competencies of Management Team
  • Access to Relevant Resources (Eg. Specialized Laboratories & Equipment)
• Commercialization Potential
  • Potential Manufacturability / Scalability
  • Potential to Attract Market Demand or Further Funding
  • Defensibility of Intellectual Property
• Overall Impact of Project
  • Economic Benefits to Singapore

Evaluation Process

There are three stages of selection :

• Stage 1 (Eligibility Screening)
• Stage 2 (Focus on Technical and Commercial Aspects)
• Stage 3 (Presentation to Panel)

Stage I
Applicant’s eligibility for TECS support will be assessed and proposal will be reviewed if they meet the TECS qualifying guidelines.

Stage II
Proposals are assessed for the innovativeness, technical feasibility and commercialization potential.

Stage III
Shortlisted (POV) applicants from Stage II evaluation will present their proposals to a panel.

The decision of the evaluation panel at any phase is final.
Note : POC / POV applications for ICT will be evaluated by IDA, and POC applications for Water Technology will be evaluated by EWI.