FIRST (Fostering Innovation and Resources in Sustainable Tech-Translation) is an initiative supported by EcoLabs and SGInnovate. It aims to provide startups/SMEs at the intersection of Deep Tech and Sustainability access to a pool of resources and expertise from partners in the ecosystem.

Benefits for Startups & SMEs

• Access to cutting-edge research and technology

• Funding opportunities

• International networks and market access

• Networking and mentorship

• Talent acquisition support

• Collaboration opportunities with other startups, SMEs or corporates

We are also seeking ecosystem players to join the initiative as Programme Partners, providing your expertise, network and resources to support the growth and development of sustainability companies in Singapore.

Benefits for Programme Partners

Corporates

• R&D collaborations

• Position as a leader in sustainable practices by collaborating on initiatives that contribute to cleaner energy solutions

• Discover and invest in promising startups

Investors

• Deal flow access

• Market insights

• Co-investment opportunities

Universities and Research Institutes

• Research commercialisation / potential licensing agreements

• Potential research funding arising from collaborations

• Talent development and career opportunities for students

• Access to industry insights

The fireside chat will be structured around three short, focused segments to ensure a dynamic and engaging conversation. Each segment will blend insights from practice and policy, supported by illustrative examples from the region and UNDP’s global experience.

• Segment 1: Asia’s Digital Growth Footprint

• Segment 2: Practical Technology and Operational Levers for Greener Data

• Segment 3: Policy and Finance Pathways

What to Expect?

✔ Exclusive Industry Insights – Discover how cybersecurity roles align with globally recognized CompTIA certifications

✔ Interactive Q&A Session – Get your questions answered on CompTIA training and career advancement

✔ Exciting Prizes – Participate in a fun Kahoot quiz and stand a chance to win exclusive CompTIA merchandise

✔ Networking Session – Connect with industry professionals over a relaxed teabreak

Who Should Attend?

✔ Cybersecurity professionals seeking upskilling pathways  

✔ HR/L&D reps sourcing industry-relevant training  

✔ IT managers/directors and decision-makers 

✔ Anyone interested in CompTIA Certifications

Check out our website for more details: https://www.bridgingminds.net/comptia-seminar-2025

🎓 What to Expect:

You’ll hear from six exceptional researchers from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), each presenting their cutting-edge research with clear applications in the tech, sustainability, and manufacturing sectors.

🧠 Featured Projects:

1. 🔹 Dr. Cheng Weixia

Revolutionizing Construction: Precision Detection of Steel Reinforcement in Concrete Using Advanced Radar Imaging Discover how ground-penetrating radar arrays can accurately characterize rebar size and placement in concrete structures — transforming infrastructure assessment, construction safety, and cost-efficiency. This technology offers major potential for civil engineering firms, real estate developers, and smart construction ventures aiming to reduce risk, optimize maintenance, and ensure structural integrity with non-invasive, real-time analysis.

2. 🔹 Ms. He Linwei and Dr. Gong Lingyan

Smarter Cell Manufacturing: Leveraging Impedance for Real-Time Process Optimization Discover how electrical impedance biosensors are set to transform cell manufacturing by enabling real-time process analytics that enhance product quality, boost yield, and lower production costs in bioreactor-based cell cultures. This innovative technology is particularly impactful in the advancing fields of regenerative medicine and cell therapy, paving the way for next-generation, continuous cell manufacturing.

3. 🔹 Dr. Hortense Le Ferrand

Next-Level Manufacturing: Continuous 3D Printing of High-Performance Microstructured Composites

Step into the future of additive manufacturing with a breakthrough in continuous 3D printing of microstructured composites. This enables faster production of lightweight, durable, and customizable materials for aerospace, automotive, medtech, and consumer electronics. Ideal for investors and companies seeking scalable, sustainable, and high-value manufacturing solutions with a competitive advantage.

4. 🔹 Dr. Liling Zhang

Agritech - RetenSol-G: Redefining Irrigation

Healing the earth starts from healing our soils. RetenSol-G is a patented eco-friendly liquid formulation comprising microgels to improve soil penetration, wettability, water retention and release. Made with plant waste materials, the microgels of RetenSol-G modulate the effects of unpredictable rainfall and seasonal droughts by extending water availability to plants when soil moisture is low. This increases planting options and mitigate negative effects of climate change, and alleviates the challenges of crop growers and producers who need to maintain yields and harvest from less arable, dry soils. With no requirements for soil churn, RetenSol-G is simple to apply and suitable for both fresh planting and mature plants, and is broadly applicable in horti/agriculture and anti-desertification efforts.

5. 🔹 Dr. Dang Thuy Tram

Helthtech - Injection-Free Diabetes Management: FormaCyte Cellular Implants That Transform Patient Care

Discovering FormaCyte’s innovative cellular implant that can naturally and sustainably release insulin in response to the body’s needs after implantation, removing the need for daily injections. By protecting insulin-producing cells with a biomaterial encapsulation, the device also eliminates the need for anti-rejection drugs. This approach could offer diabetic patients a safer, more effective way to manage their blood sugar, while also reducing the long-term burden of care. It represents a promising opportunity for partners, including healthcare-focused investors, biopharmas, and biotech companies, looking to bring patient-friendly, next-generation diabetes solutions to market.

6. 🔹 Dr. Perrine Hamel

AI meets ESG: Supporting businesses in their nature-positive transition

Driving Nature-Positive Business: Intelligent Tools for Sustainable Impact Explore how cutting-edge AI solutions can accelerate businesses' transition toward nature-positive strategies, optimizing biodiversity conservation, resource management, and ESG reporting. By harnessing real-time data analytics, predictive modeling, and smart monitoring, this innovation empowers companies to reduce environmental risks, enhance regulatory compliance, and unlock new value through sustainability leadership. Ideal for corporates, investors, and ESG strategists aiming to future-proof operations and drive measurable ecological impact.

🗣️ Agenda:

• 7:00 PM – Welcome remarks by La French Tech Singapore & NTU

• 7:15 - PM PhD Pitch Session

• 8:30 PM – Networking Reception

👥 Who Should Attend:

• Investors & VCs

• Innovation & R&D Leaders

• Startup Founders & Ecosystem Builders

• Tech Enthusiasts looking to stay ahead

📍 Location:

• SG Innovate

• 32 Carpenter St, Singapore 059911

📅 Date & Time:

• Thursday, 5 June 2025

• 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

🎟️ Free registration is required – limited seats are available!

Join Austrade and SG Innovate at an exclusive Tech Pitch and Networking event featuring tech pitches by innovative Australian AI scaleups in the Smart Urban Solutions space determined to create lasting positive impact.

Australia and Singapore renewed the MoU on AI collaboration in key areas including facilitating increased access to AI technologies, market and talent, and support for the commercialisation of AI applications. Australian AI companies in the smart urban solutions space can play a key role in helping Singapore realise its vision as a Smart Nation.

At this event, you will hear from speakers sharing valuable perspectives of the AI and urban solutions landscape.

Don't miss this engaging and inspiring afternoon—a gathering of investors, innovators, and leaders.

You can expect to leave with fresh insights and perspectives, new ideas, sparks of innovation, and new strategic connections!

Agenda (subject to change)

• Welcome by Austrade

• Welcome by SG Innovate

• Perspectives I by Antares Ventures

• Perspectives II by Cocoon Capital

• Tech Pitch by Australian Tech Companies

• Networking 

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Code of Conduct

All attendees, speakers, and volunteers (“Participants”) at this Tech Pitch and Networking event (“Event”) are required to adhere to the following Code of Conduct (“Code”) as a condition of participation. By attending the Event, you agree to abide by the Code. Austrade (“Organiser”) reserves the right to enforce this Code throughout the Event.

Our goal is to foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants.

1. Expected Behaviour

Participants are expected to:

- Treat all others with respect, courtesy, and professionalism.

- Engage in discussions and activities in a constructive and collaborative manner.

- Comply with all instructions issued by the Organiser or event facilitators.

2. Unacceptable Behaviour

The following behaviours will not be tolerated:

- Any form of harassment, including verbal, physical, or visual conduct that is offensive, intimidating, or unwelcome.

- Disruptive, aggressive, or unruly behaviour that interferes with the Event or other participants.

- Unwanted physical contact, persistent interruption, or disrespectful conduct.

- Inappropriate language, gestures, or imagery, including those that may be considered discriminatory, derogatory, or offensive on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, nationality, or other personal characteristics.

3. Enforcement

- Participants asked to stop any inappropriate behaviour must comply immediately.

- The Organiser has full discretion to determine what constitutes a violation of the Code.

- The Organiser reserves the right to take any appropriate action, including issuing warnings, removing individuals from the Event, and reporting serious incidents to relevant authorities.

4. Reporting

If you witness or experience a breach of this Code, or have any concerns, please inform the Organiser immediately.

High energy long life rechargeable battery is considered as the key enabling technology for deep de-carbonization. Energy storage in the electrochemical form is attractive because of its high efficiency and fast response time. The world will need more than 10TWh per year battery capacity in the next decade in order to accelerate the energy transition. In this talk, I will discuss a few new perspectives for energy storage materials including new superionic conductors, new reactive metal anodes and their interfacial engineering.

With recent advances in photon and electron characterization tools and computational methods, we can explore ionic mobility, charge transfer and phase transformations in electrode and electrolyte materials in solid state battery. Most recently we established ESRA, Energy Innovation Hub funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) focused on energy storage beyond lithium ion. ESRA aims to enable transformative discoveries in materials chemistry by leveraging the most cutting-edge scientific tools, particularly machine learning tools and generative AI, in coordination with autonomous experiments.

This panel explores how next-generation materials transform hospitality through circular economy principles and waste-to-value innovations. Industry experts will discuss:

1. Innovative Materials & Design – Bio-based alternatives like mycelium leather, antimicrobial cleaning solutions, and recycled plastic interiors reshaping sustainability in hospitality.

2. Scaling & Investment – Insights from venture capitalists and startups on what makes sustainable materials investable and the challenges of commercial adoption.

3. Industry Adoption & Challenges – Overcoming cost, operational hurdles, and consumer expectations with case studies from leading hotels and restaurants.

4. Policy & Regulations – The role of Singapore’s Green Plan 2030, government incentives, and sustainability policies in shaping material choices.

5. Consumer & Market Trends – Growing demand for eco-conscious travel, sustainability transparency, and AI-driven efficiency in hospitality.

Programme

5.30pm – 6pm: Registration and Networking

6pm – 6.45pm: Panel Discussion

6.45pm – 7.30pm: Networking and Refreshments

With 60% of the world's population, the Asia-Pacific region faces urgent climate challenges—extreme weather, water scarcity, and dwindling arable land. Tackling these challenges is vital, not just for the region, but for food security worldwide.

Join us at Cultivating Connections Singapore, a premier quarterly meetup uniting agrifoodtech entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and industry leaders. This edition, themed “Soil to Sustainability: Building Resilient Global Agri-Food Systems,” dives into solutions shaping the future.