Singapore’s Nanyang Frontier Fund set to explore opportunities presented by ‘deep tech’

Heng Swee Keat, deputy prime minister of Singapore presents collaboration of Nanyang Technological University and venture capital firm Walden International

The Nanyang Frontier Fund is a key development within Singapore's technology innovation ecosystem, according to Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, Heng Swee Keat, as he announced the partnership between Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and venture capital firm Walden International.

The initiative will target the growth of ‘deep tech’ startups. Walden’s website describes ‘deep tech’ as encompassing: ‘artificial intelligence (AI), data, cloud, semiconductors and other transformative technologies.’

Deep tech has been heralded as the next frontier in innovation. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced research and development, it has the potential to revolutionise industries, improve quality of life, and address pressing global issues such as the climate crisis. It is expected to expand the knowledge base in other fields such as robotics, biotechnology, materials science and sustainability.

With an initial target of S$50 million, it is Singapore’s first venture capital fund dedicated to a university.

Announcing the Nanyang Frontier Fund, alongside Mr Heng was the Chairman of Walden International, Mr Tan Lip-Bu. The firm has committed an initial investment of S$5 million to kickstart the fund with the NTU also co-investing matching funds of S$5 million. An important feature of the fund is a commitment to reinvest 25% of its profits back into NTU to foster new ventures.

NTU already has a successful spin-off company, Nanofilm, which is commercialising specialised vacuum-coating technologies that are the product of academic research.

The NTU’s Innovation Port also offers collaborative spaces and state-of-the-art facilities to help startups transition from prototype to market.

Envisioned as a driving force behind solutions to some of humanity’s most significant challenges, harnessing the opportunities of deep tech is the central long-term ambition of the Nanyang Frontier Fund to position Singapore as a global technology leader

-- pmo.gov.sg