Having been instrumental in building up Singapore’s start-up environment and supporting young entrepreneurs, NUS Enterprise saw the need to establish a strong entrepreneurial community that went beyond just the NUS campus, in particular, to allow its incubation expertise to boost the dynamic interactive digital media (IDM) sector.
In 2011, NUS Enterprise teamed up with the Media Development Authority (MDA) and SingTel Innov8 to establish a strategic incubation programme – Plug-In@Blk71. Over the past few years, these three organisations have worked hard to transform the entire Blk71, which was a run-down, old building in Ayer Rajah industrial estate, into a dynamic hub for the IDM sector. Blk71 is now home to hundreds of tech-related organisations, including start-ups, venture funds and incubators.
“Blk71 has pulled together the various companies and industry players within the IDM sector that were previously dispersed around Singapore. By bringing these organisations together in one vibrant entrepreneurial community, it has allowed for increased synergy, entrepreneurial dynamism and economies of scale,” explained Dr Lily Chan, CEO NUS Enterprise.
