Joint initiative to groom polytechnic entrepreneurs

19 Sep 2017

The Straits Times, 19 Sept 2017 - Article featured Pollinate, a joint initiative across NP, SP and TP that supports entrepreneurship efforts by polytechnic alumni. The incubator, which started operations in July, is targeted at start-ups that have passed the early set-up stage. Besides having a working space, start-ups can make use of shared services such as digital marketing and analytics, as well as tap the polytechnics' overseas networks and a pipeline of young talent. From next year, the incubator will place fresh polytechnic graduates who are keen to work with start-ups. They will be paid full salaries and receive training from mentors. Mr Patrice Choong, director of NP’s innovation and entrepreneurship office, shared that Pollinate will also have exchange programmes with overseas partners. NP alumna Lee Ling Chong, one of the three co-founders of an adventure travel start-up located at Pollinate, shared her hopes for them to scale up internationally. Similar news was reported in The Business Times, Today, TechinAsia, e27, Lianhe Zaobao and Berita Harian. In the article reported by Channel NewsAsia, TP alumna Chelsea Chan opined on how Pollinate helps her food and beverage platform ‘FoodZaps’ and other similar start-ups integrate their efforts. NP’s principal Mr Clarence Ti shared in Today about the support Pollinate provides for polytechnic students to embark on their entrepreneurship journey.