Launch of Singapore Agri-Food Innovation Lab by NTU Singapore and Enterprise Singapore

The Singapore Agri-Food Innovation Lab (SAIL) was established by Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) and Enterprise Singapore. SAIL brings together NTU experts from engineering, business, and the social sciences to bridge gaps in commercialization.

FREMONT, CA: The Singapore Agri-Food Innovation Lab (SAIL) was established by Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG). The collaboration agreement between NTU and ESG was signed in the presence of Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and NTU President Professor Subra Suresh.

Various company matching and co-innovation initiatives are planned. To help agri-food companies solve their problems, SAIL will organise knowledge-sharing events to link demand drivers with solution suppliers. As part of the NTU partnership, ESG will link SAIL with agri-commodity corporations as well as local agri-tech and food-tech SMEs and startups. SAIL's goals fit with NTU's newly released Sustainability Manifesto, which intends to accelerate the University's extensive sustainability initiatives over the next 15 years and secure its position as a sustainability leader.

Prof. Lam Khin Yong, NTU Senior Vice President (Research), reflected on how the Singapore Agri-Food Innovation Lab (SAIL) will assist strengthen Singapore's value proposition as a trade and innovation center by enabling agri-food corporates, notably SMEs and startups, to explore industry innovation. SAIL is a new collaboration platform that brings together NTU experts from engineering, business, and the social sciences to bridge gaps in commercialization and develop a thriving innovation environment. Based on its established research skills and industry partnerships, NTU is one of the solution suppliers for the successful development of SAIL. An example is the hydrogel bandages created from durian husks.

Mr. Lee Pak Sing, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Singapore, believes that Singapore is well-positioned to meet the expanding need for agri-food innovation, SAIL will help Singapore innovate in this new field. Companies may work with SAIL to establish a Singapore innovation and sustainability hub. It would also allow local SMEs and startups to test and grow their unique ideas outside of Singapore.

A cross-disciplinary collaboration tool