Shared Facilities Available for Deep Tech Startups and Ventures
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the availability of shared research and development (R&D) facilities for deep tech startups in emerging sectors and the potential adoption of a national regulatory sandbox policy, raised by Dr Neo Kok Beng. Minister Dr Tan See Leng stated that the Government collaborates with institutes of higher learning and research institutes to provide startups access to specialized facilities, such as cleanrooms, quantum foundries, and over 1,500 scientific instruments via the A*STAR Scientific Equipment and Services Finder. Addressing regulatory sandboxes, Minister Dr Tan See Leng explained that sector-specific frameworks are utilized instead of a single national policy, as risks and regulatory considerations vary across industries. Examples include energy innovation sandboxes under the Energy Market Authority and the GenAI Sandbox under the Infocomm Media Development Authority. The Government will continue assessing emerging industry needs to establish further shared R&D facilities and regulatory sandboxes where appropriate.
Transcript
81 Dr Neo Kok Beng asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) (a) to the Government's knowledge, how many shared facilities, inclusive of equipment for research and development, are available for deep tech startups and ventures; and (b) whether the Ministry or relevant agencies will consider setting up shared facilities in emerging areas, such as quantum and space technology, and life sciences, such as clean room and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) laboratories.
82 Dr Neo Kok Beng asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) whether the Government will consider implementing a national sandbox policy for emerging technologies or industries, where current legal or regulatory measures are not available.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Government is committed to fostering a pro-innovation environment that enables businesses, including deep tech startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to support research and development (R&D) and deployment of emerging technologies.
The Government does work closely with our institutes of higher learning (IHLs) and research institutes to provide startups and SMEs with access to shared R&D facilities, equipment and technical expertise. Key initiatives include the centres of innovation established in partnership with the IHLs, and platforms operated by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), such as Innovation Factory@Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology. Specialised facilities are also available, such as Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) and Class 100 compliant laboratories through the National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP) Labs, advanced cleanroom infrastructure and industry-grade tools through national platforms, such as the National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre (NSTIC) and the National Quantum Federated Foundry (NQFF), as well as shared life sciences, chemistry and engineering facilities through A*STAR’s A*StartCentral. Companies can also use the A*STAR Scientific Equipment and Services Finder (A*SEF) to identify and access more than 1,500 scientific equipment and related services across A*STAR.
For regulatory sandboxes, the Government's approach is to design sector-specific frameworks that are tailored to the needs of each industry, as the risks, stakeholders and regulatory considerations differ significantly across industries. A single national sandbox policy may not adequately account for these differences.
Several agencies already operate sandboxes tailored to their respective sectors. For example, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) has introduced a regulatory sandbox for energy innovations, including novel business models in the electricity sector. In the digital and technology space, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has supported experimentation through initiatives, such as the GenAI Sandbox, which allows enterprises to trial generative artificial intelligence solutions before wider adoption.
The Government will continue to assess the needs of emerging technologies and industries, and where appropriate, establish shared R&D facilities and regulatory sandboxes to support technology development, testing and adoption.