2020 Nordic Health Virtual Market Entry Programme: Week 1 & 2 Summary
This year, Nordic Innovation House Singapore theme on NORDIC HEALTH aims to support and provide opportunities for our 18 selected health companies to expand their foothold in Singapore! Together with our core partners from Business Sweden, Innovation Norway, Embassy of Finland, and Promote Iceland, we managed to collaborate several virtual group showcase and sharing sessions for our Nordic companies to pitch their solutions, to engage with the participating Singaporean stakeholders, and to build a better knowledge/operations about the healthcare sector in Singapore. We are proud to connect over 160 healthcare professionals, academics, innovators, and investors with our selected health companies.
Here are the highlights in Week 1 (14.9 - 18.9):
14 Sep: Sharing session with Nordic Organisations
We have invited Ole Olsen, (Executive Director, Visual Engineering), Jussi Salovaara, (Managing Partner Asia, Co-Founder, Antler), Reidar Gårdebäck (CEO, Ortivus), and Nestor Gomez-Montiel (Managing Partner, JSBC) about their challenges and experiences when setting up businesses in the Singapore landscape.
Key takeaways:
By Ole – Setting up in Singapore: Importance of company incorporation to attain valid pass for foreign entrepreneurs or employees, understanding the tax and legal system, setup cost (calculator), available grants and subsidies, business/work culture, and hiring local talents.
By Jussi – Business culture in Singapore is heavily relationship-based. Invest time and effort into building those relationships, and always keeping the context of the situation in mind. The Singapore Government plays a key role in the Entrepreneurship ecosystem. Be responsible and mindful with your business expansion.
By Reidar – Lessons learned when setting up Ortivus in Singapore includes a long sales process, the difference in organisations and culture, customer-orientated relation, a clear agreement specifying the content of delivery and responsibilities, and the necessity of local partners.
By Nestor – Abundant opportunities to join networking and industry events in Singapore and Southeast Asia to widen your connections. Country-specific innovation organisations (eg. Business Sweden) available to provide essential support in building business in Singapore.
14 Sep: Nordic Group Showcase with Singhealth - Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
The first and largest public healthcare cluster in Singapore, providing comprehensive multidisciplinary care. With an in-depth introduction by Geoffrey Gui (Director, Dept of Future Health System, SGH) and Estee Chan (Senior Manager, Dept of Future Health System, SGH) about Singapore’s public healthcare delivery network and health services. Defining tomorrow’s medicine by investing in areas of innovation, education, and care delivery to better patient care.
15 Sep: Group Showcase with National University Health System (NUHS)
One of three public healthcare clusters in Singapore, and an integrated Academic Health System and Regional Health System that delivers value-driven, innovative and sustainable healthcare in Singapore. Shuwen Koh (Deputy Group Chief Technology Officer, Director of Innovation, NUHS) shared an overview of the primary care backbone for the health of 1.3M+ residents on the West side of Singapore, and Health District initiative which aligns with Ministry of Health ageing in place with a whole gamut of diagnostics, screening, self-health monitoring, rehabilitation etc.
“Looking forward to seeing what Nordic innovations are available to enable us to care for our residents. Even though 2020 is a challenging year, and many different aspects… I believe as someone said don’t waste a good crisis. I believe that this crisis will also create many opportunities, and we hope to be able to learn more about how we can co-create and co-develop certain solutions to customise for the Singapore healthcare model, NUHS family, and partners.” , says Shuwen Koh (Deputy Group Chief Technology Officer, Director of Innovation, NUHS).
15 Sep: IP Strategy Session by Southeast Asia IPR SME Helpdesk
Conducted by Marta Bettinazzi (IP Business Advisor) and Jonas Lindsay (Associate, Marks & Clerk). Providing educational materials for our Nordic companies about protecting and enforcing their Intellectual Property Rights in or relating to Southeast Asia countries.
16 Sep: Group Showcase with National Health Group (NHG)
Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), Centre for Healthcare Innovation (CHI), CMTi
A/Prof Tan Cher Heng (ACMB (Clinical Research and Innovation) TTSH, Senior Consultant Diagnostic Radiology TTSH, Deputy Clinical Director CHI, Committee Member NHG CMTi) shared a deeper understanding around NHG Centre for Medical Technologies & Innovations, and future plans within the Singapore health ecosystem.
16 Sep: Group Showcase with Integrated Health Information Systems (IHIS)
Technology Agency for Singapore’s public healthcare sector. Linda Chow (Assistant Director, iHIS) elaborated on iHIS’s targeted five Care segments in Preventive Care, Primary Care, Acute Care, Intermediate & Long Term Care, and Social & Community Care. Guided by HITMAP 1.0 to help realise the Ministry’s 3 Beyonds important for Singapore - How to bring beyond Community, Value, and Health. And HITMAP 2.0 seven transformation programmes build upon HITMAP 1.0 to identify and address business requirements over a rolling 3-year roadmap in line with strategic priorities.
17 Sep: Group Showcase with Ministry of Health Holdings (MOHH)
The holding company of Singapore’s three public integrated healthcare clusters to better meet Singaporean’s future healthcare needs. Opening introduction by Yvonne Lim (Deputy Director, Healthcare Infrastructure Projects Division) on MOHH framework under the Healthcare Infrastructure Projects Division (HIPD) which comprises of Project Development (PD), Professional Technical Services (PTS), and Central Hub & Asset Management Partnership (CHAMP) focusing on strategic areas such as:
To build a multidisciplinary team of healthcare infrastructure professionals
To develop a central knowledge repository of current healthcare projects
To develop and deliver quality healthcare projects on time and within budget
17 Sep: Group Showcase with Enterprise Singapore (ESG) & IPI Singapore
Starting with ESG, a global network with more than 35 offices worldwide – spotlight presentation by Terence Teoh (Senior Development Partner (Americas and Western Europe), Enterprise Singapore) on the healthcare collaboration opportunities and mission of ESG in Singapore. Understanding Singapore has an increasingly vibrant Biomedical ecosystem with sub-sectors in MedTech, Digital Health, Pharmbio. Transforming Singapore as the gateway to Asia’s key markets in Global Connectivity, International Trading Community, Financial Hub, Multicultural Workforce, and Business-friendly Environment. NIH-SG is also an Entrepass Partner with Enterprise Singapore which offers Entrepreneur Work Visas to support foreign entrepreneurs to enter and establish businesses in Singapore.
“Singapore is well-known for our international airport. Besides that we are also recognised for strong IP governance, business-friendly legislations, stable political environment, highly educated and skilled workforce. And our strategic location, being at the centre, being at the hub of Asia Pacific places Singapore in a strategic advantage. Allowing our Singapore companies to have deep networks and familiarity to the rest of Southeast Asia region. At Enterprise Singapore, business matching is part of our DNA, and when you are ready for Asia Pacific - Singapore can serve as your business launchpad.”, says Terence Teoh (Senior Development Partner (Americas and Western Europe), Enterprise Singapore).
We also had Lynne Loh (Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships, IPI Singapore) unfolding the valuable information on IPI Singapore (a subsidiary of ESG) which was established in 2011 by the Ministry of Trade & Industry to enable enterprises to grow their business through technology and innovation. IPI Singapore focuses on industry needs (under Infocomm & Electronics, Personal & Healthcare, Food, Manufacturing, Energy & Environment, and Materials & Chemicals) by working with enterprises to source for technologies locally and overseas, from both public and private sectors; and facilitating partnerships to bring new products and services to the market. So, how does IPI Singapore facilitate innovation partnerships? Here are some of the ongoing technology matching platforms:
Innovation Marketplace, a self-service online platform that connects Tech Providers and Tech Seekers to find collaboration opportunities through IPI’s global network of 26,000+ subscribers. Sign-up for IPI TechAlerts here: https://www.ipi-singapore.org/
TechExpert, a one-stop platform matching technical experts from diverse disciplines to the industries.
Open Innovation Challenges, a platform that matches problem solvers to corporates or government organisations in addressing their tech challenges.
On a 1-to-1 basis, IPI technology managers will work with Singapore enterprises to scope out their technology requirements. Follower by sourcing suitable technologies before matching with the relevant providers. The ultimate goal is that these introductions could lead to Partnerships Agreements.
TechInnovation, IPI’s flagship technology matching event that brings together international technology seekers and providers to network, explore commercialisation and initiate business collaboration. Join the virtual technology brokerage event and innovation workshops on 7-11 Dec 2020 held alongside Singapore Week of Innovation & TeCHnology (SWITCH).
Nordic companies can join as an exhibitor under the Nordics Virtual Pavilion to showcase and pitch your technologies and connect with industry partners over 1-on-1 meetings! Industry areas of needs: Services & Digital Economy, Urban Solutions & Sustainability, Health & Personal Care, and Food & Nutrition from global sources. Nordic Pitching Webinar Showcase, 10 Dec 2020, 4 pm SGT / 10 am CEST. For more info, click here: https://www.techinnovation.com.sg/
18 Sep: Info Session by Health Sciences Authority (HSA)
HSA ensures pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices and health-related products in Singapore are wisely regulated to meet the appropriate standards of safety, quality and efficacy throughout the product life cycle. HSA team Beverly Liew (Senior Regulatory Specialist, HSA) and Liu Shuhui (Senior Regulatory Specialist, HSA) give an overview of Singapore Health products and medical devices regulatory landscape and framework in Singapore. Detailing the three Key Regulatory Controls in line with Medical Device lifecycle: (Pre-market: 1. Deal Controls, 2. Product Controls & Post-market: 3. Obligations), and range of products under HSA’s oversight include Medical Devices, Investigational Drugs, Cosmetics, Therapeutic, Tobacco, Complementary Health Products, Cell, Tissue and Gene Therapy.
18 Sep: Group Showcase with UNDP Global Centre Singapore
UNDP Global Centre aims to leverage tech and innovation to help countries leapfrog their sustainable development, focusing on supporting the UNDP Office and governments on the ground. The Centre believes strongly in the power of private sector and tech interventions to help power development, and COVID-19 response and recovery. With an emphasis on Future Cities, Sustainable & Digital Agriculture, and Sustainable Finance. UNDP team – Janine Civitate (Programme Advisor, UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development, Singapore), Artak Melkonyan (Chief Operating Officer, SDG Impact, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub), Les Ong (Programme Specialist, Health Technology Innovation, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub) also promoted a couple of upcoming UNDP Health initiatives such as:
Impact Acceleration Programme for Growth Stage Ventures addressing COVID-19 related challenges in healthcare.
Pre-accelerator Bootcamp with Draper Ventures focuses on the future of healthcare, including preparedness, response and recovery to pandemics.
Here are the highlights in Week 2 (21.9 - 25.9):
21 Sep: Investor Matchmaking Event
Starting the week with the Investor Matchmaking webinar, where our selected 18 Nordic HealthTech and MedTech companies had five minutes each to present their solutions towards Southeast Asia-based investors and corporate venture capitals. Also, pitching to seek funding and partnership opportunities in this region.
25 SEP: Healthcare Innovation Platforms by the Nordics and Singapore, and Nordic Showcase
This closing event is part of the Nordic Health Virtual Market Entry Programme 2020 towards Singapore and Southeast Asia. Nordic Innovation House Singapore and its core partners from Business Sweden, Innovation Norway, Embassy of Finland, and Promote Iceland organise this event to foster cooperation between the Nordics and Southeast Asia.
We are honoured to start this session with opening remarks by H.E. Anita Nergaard, Ambassador of Norway to Singapore sharing her thoughts on co-innovation and co-operation between the Nordics and Singapore in the healthcare industry.
“The strong Nordic tradition of data-driven innovation and extensive cooperation across sectoral boundaries has given us a unique platform to co-create solutions thereby addressing common challenges. Today, the Nordic region offers an attractive ecosystem for developing high-quality healthcare solutions and presenting these solutions to the global market. It has been therefore extremely exciting to witness over the last 2 weeks the inaugural virtual market visit to Singapore for 18 Nordic Health companies. The companies have met with a number of local stakeholders such as public health clusters and their respective innovation departments, iHIS, MOHH, UNDP, IPI Singapore, Enterprise Singapore to mention a few. Going forward, the many ideas generated by these meetings will be followed up on with the ambition to further strengthen the collaboration between Singapore and the Nordics in the healthcare space. Involving the largest healthcare ecosystems in innovation processes is an expressed ambition in both Singapore and the Nordics. So the next steps are to make use of these innovation platforms to foster increased international collaboration. I look forward to stronger links between Singapore and the Nordics in the healthcare sector in the time to come. There are many opportunities for both cooperation and co-innovation between us.”, says H.E. Anita Nergaard, Ambassador of Norway to Singapore.
Next, we had a panel discussion on ‘How can new engagement platforms improve healthcare innovation in the health sector?’ with our invited panel speakers from the Nordic and Singaporean healthcare organisations. We learnt how healthcare institutions are moving towards innovation platforms that will accelerate and increase the engagement between various players in the ecosystem.
The panelists were:
CMTi: Adj A/Prof Tey Hong Liang, Committee member, NHG CMTi, Head of Research Division, National Skin Centre (A member of the National Healthcare Group)
NordicProof: Siri Stabel Olsen, Coordinator NordicProof & Advisor for Norway Health Tech
Karolinska University Hospital: A/Prof Dr Kalle Conneryd Lundgren, COO & Acting CIO
NUHS Centre for Innovation in Healthcare (CIH): Dr Kaan Hung Leng, Associate Consultant in the Department of General Surgery, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (a member of the National University Health Systems)
Moderator: Pal Kastmann, Director, Innovation Norway
Our selected Nordic Health Programme companies were also able to showcase their health-related innovations and engage with the attendees in the three different breakout rooms. Check out the recorded sessions below!
Breakout Room 1: Crayon, Dossier, DNV Imatis, Quuppa, Secapp, VAR Healthcare, ZignSec
Breakout Room 2: Ably Medical, Brighter, Cryotech Nordic, iCare, Risk Medical Solution
Breakout Room 3: ISKU, Vetrospace, Protetiko
If you are interested to find out more about Nordic Innovation House Singapore, email us at sg@nordicinnovationhouse.com.