The Environment & Water Industry Development Council (EWI) launched the Fast-Track Environmental and Water Technologies Incubator Scheme (Fast-Tech) today to accelerate the formation and growth of start-ups in this sector. A S$10 million budget has been set aside for Fast-Tech scheme over the next 5 years

The EWI also launched the NRF(EWT) post-graduate scholarships today, setting aside S$30 million over the next 5 years. These are part of the S$330 million budget over 5 years allocated by the National Research Foundation (NRF) to the Environmental & Water Technologies (EWT) sector. 

Fast-Track Environmental and Water Technologies Incubator Scheme (Fast-Tech)

The Fast-Tech scheme aims to accelerate the formation and growth of environmental and water start-ups by providing two critical ingredients - a financial incentive as well as mentoring by specialized incubators. The goal of the Fast-Tech scheme is to grow a large group of successful water start-ups in Singapore.  A S$10 million budget has been set aside for the Fast-Tech scheme over the next 5 years.

Funding Support

Aspiring start-ups which have promising technical ideas, can apply to be housed in approved incubators and seek funding support of up to $300,000 per company or up to 85% support level, whichever is lower, over two years. Qualifying costs for R&D and business related activities include manpower, training, loaning of equipment, and professional services.

All Singapore-based companies that are less than three years old are eligible to apply for the Fast-Tech scheme.

Water Technology Incubators

As part of the Fast-Tech Programme, EWI aims to attract specialized water technology incubators which can provide mentoring for aspiring water start-ups, particularly in the area of management and business development. Konzen Environmental Group, a Singapore-based company undertaking design and supply of water and waste water treatment systems, has been identified to run the first specialized water technology incubator. Expected to be operational in April 2007, the incubator will be the first of two to three incubators which EWI hopes to have at steady state

NRF(EWT) Scholarships

The NRF(EWT) post-graduate scholarship schemes, with a budget of $30 million over 5 years, aim to train specialist manpower for the EWT industry and research organizations. There are two categories of post-graduate scholarships, namely the i) NRF(EWT) PhD scholarships and the ii) NRF(EWT) company scholarships

NRF(EWT) PhD Scholarships

The NRF(EWT) PhD scholarships aim to train the next generation of research and professional leaders in the EWT sectors. These PhD scholarships will be tenable in Singapore-based and overseas universities. The scholars shall work in selected R&D areas with potential for cutting–edge developments and high economic growth. They will work with professors who are renowned for their expertise in these fields. Upon graduation, the scholars will have a service commitment to work in the EWT area in Singapore.

For more information and application details, please log on to: http://www.mewr.gov.sg/ewi

NRF(EWT) Company Scholarships

For the NRF(EWT) Company scholarships, the EWI, in partnership with companies, will co-share the cost of Masters and PhD scholarships for study at locally-based universities. After graduation, the scholars shall work for the partner companies and help accelerate technological change in these companies. Companies like Black & Veatch and Keppel have already expressed interest to participate in this programme. More companies are welcome to join this programme so as to enhance their technological capabilities and provide them with the necessary talent to conduct world-class operations from Singapore.

Executive Director for EWI and Chief Executive of PUB, Mr Khoo Teng Chye, said, “The EWT industry is an exciting and growing field with many new opportunities. Besides attracting major global players to Singapore, we also want to encourage and nurture more start-ups in this industry. The Fast-Tech scheme will provide support to companies which otherwise, would not have resources to develop its own products and market channels, nor are sizeable enough to attract equity financing.  At the end of the Fast-Tech funding period, we envision that these companies will be able to secure sufficient third party interest for further commercialisation of their technologies.

With the NRF(EWT) scholarships, we are investing in the talent and future technology leaders in this field. The scholars would be able to contribute to furthering the knowledge and technology frontier in this sector, and can look forward to job opportunities in companies and research organisations upon graduation.”

About the Environment and Water Industry Development Council

The Environment and Water Industry Development Council (EWI) was set up in May 2006 under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) to spearhead the development of the environment and water industry in Singapore and position Singapore as a global hydrohub.

EWI’s strategy for industry development is anchored on technology development and R&D activities to help grow the local industry cluster and to create a competitive edge for Singapore-based companies in the global market.

EWI targets to increase the value-added  (VA) contribution from the water sector to $1.7 billion by 2015.  Jobs for this sector are expected to double to about 11,000 by 2015.

ISSUED BY:
ENVIRONMENT AND WATER INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
27 MARCH 2007

For media enquiries, please call:

Ms Tristin Ong, Corporate Communications Executive
Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources
Tel:  6731 9025 or email:  tristin_ong@mewr.gov.sg

 Ms Tracy Won, Marketing Communications
Economic Development Board
Tel: 6832 6890 or email: tracy_won@edb.gov.sg