#UnearthSingapore - A shining light for Australian companies

Gemstar’s 2016 #UnearthSingapore Trade Mission was a sparkling success! It provided a hugely valuable opportunity for us to unearth Singapore and the potential of Asia to a handful of Australian companies. At the same time, we unearthed Australian innovators to Singapore’s local ecosystem and key players, including investors, customers, partners and collaborators.

Our client companies represented the diversity of Australia’s innovation scene and included ParentPaperwork, Progressclaim, carbonTRACK, Scann3d, Jumpstart and FuturePeople. We were also very proud to have some amazing partners and collaborators with us on board including ANZ, Gadens, Lendlease, Cushman & Wakefield, AUSTCHAM, Austrade, A*Star, IDA as well as our media partner, The CEO Magazine. There was also a documentary, Disrupted, following us highlighting the timely nature of our tech trade mission.

Held from the 14th-18th March, our Singapore Trade Mission was divided into key themes: Immersion, Collaboration, Opportunity, Growth and Reflect.

Day one: Immersion. We introduced our delegates to Singapore's thriving ecosystem including a presentation by  Gemstar’s banking partner, ANZ, on the economic forecast for Singapore and South-East Asia more broadly.  Delegates also experienced Singapore’s cutting-edge ‘Smart Nation’ vision firsthand featuring a guest presentation from the very top of IDA (Infocomm Development Authority), the government initiative driving ‘Smart Nation’. Our delegates were equally impressed by tours of A*Star, Singapore’s CSIRO equivalent, and BASH (Build Amazing Startups Here), Singapore’s biggest integrated startup and entrepreneurial space.

Day two: Collaboration. Emphasising the importance of building new relationships and strengthening ties between Australia and Singapore, our group heard from Frank Belitz from Austrade who provided insights from an investment standpoint. The companies also presented their business cases to more than 50 influencers at an impressive welcome reception. They also had the opportunity of presenting to executives at ANZ – one of Gemstar’s partners.

Day three: Opportunity. We focused on presenting opportunities to our companies to support their regional expansion into Asia. Our delegates were wowed by FusionWorld, an interactive showcase of award-winning inventions created by A*Star. They then pitched their businesses to our corporate partners including Cushman & Wakefield, a global real estate firm who harness innovative services and to Lendlease.

Day four: Growth. We continued to present our group targeted opportunities in order to explore the market. Following a number of one-on-one sessions with potential investors and customers, the delegates presented their businesses and ideas/concepts to 75 local stakeholders at the closing reception, held at the amazing Tower Club. The reception celebrated the diversity of both Singapore and Australia’s business landscapes, and the exciting opportunities to collaborate.

Day five: A day to Reflect! Many of the companies used the last day of the mission to conduct a number of additional follow up meetings and follow up on other opportunities that popped up during the week.

And now?  Even after our return we keep the momentum going for our companies so that real outcomes are realised. We are currently fielding investment opportunities for a handful of our delegates as well as many sales and partnership opportunities. 

Our tech trade missions are not designed to be a one off tour. We immerse our client companies, bring them real opportunities that meet their specific objectives and then hold their hands through the process of international market entry. It is a transformational journey as experienced by Linda Simonsen, Founder and CEO FuturePeople.

“My week in Singapore with Gemstar has been the best business experience I’ve ever had. Mapping Singapore’s unique business landscape firsthand has been a truly transformational journey for me and my business.”

I am personally delighted that the Trade Mission delivered on what I was hoping it would – a glimpse of a thrilling future for Australian companies in the region—a future where we harness our impressive talent here in Australia, and leverage strong relationships with innovative neighbours like Singapore.

I’m was also very proud of the diversity represented in this delegation—diversity in gender, with two female entrepreneurs by my side; diversity in sectors, from construction to HR to health to education; and diversity in the lifecycle stages of businesses; from concept, to early stage, to scale up and strategic growth.

With Singapore currently ranked number #1 on the Global Innovation Index for innovation in the SE Asia/Oceania region, I believe that there is a lot Australia can learn from Singapore’s lead in becoming a ‘Smart Nation’.

To get there, we need a healthy innovative ecosystem, which requires involvement from all —government, research and educational institutions, start-ups, SMEs and  corporates.

We hold tailored trade missions throughout the year for companies who meet certain criteria. We also provide a suite of commercial and international market advisory services. To find out more about how we can help you expand into South East Asia and tap into the wealth of opportunities that exist there, get in touch! www.gemstartechnology.com