PROJECT PASCAL FORUM

 

Global-Asia node in Technology, Innovation and Enterprise

Mr. Queck Kai Hoo, Chief Investment Offer at A*STAR

Host: Taeyoung Kang

Organized by Project Pascal

 

 

The landscape of technological innovation is evolving at an unprecedented pace, ushering in a new era of collaboration and transformation. At the forefront of this evolution are government agencies, corporations, and research institutions, working together to overcome challenges, drive economic growth, and shape a better world.

Since the 1990s, over 200 companies have spun off A*STAR innovations, according to I&E Chief Investment Officer Kai Hoo Quek. “There’s been a ramp-up in recent years as we’ve focused on spinoffs as a key mode to commercialise IP developed within A*STAR,” said Quek. “We’ve gone from creating two spinoffs a year in the past to approximately 15 a year now.”

To boost their momentum, I&E recently embarked on Project Carrier, a deep tech venture building programme that provides pre-spinoffs with protected time and resources to incubate their startups and bring them closer to market, aiming to boost their odds of success after emerging from A*STAR. Carrier unifies previously siloed efforts in mentorship, gap funding, IP and talent matching under a structured programme that aims to be more deliberate around venture creation.

 

The Role of A*STAR: Bridging the Gap between Science and Industry

ASTAR, with its vast pool of scientific talent and cutting-edge research facilities, serves as a catalyst for innovation in Singapore. Through its Innovation Enterprise group, ASTAR actively engages with industry stakeholders to identify pressing challenges and co-create solutions. By leveraging its diverse portfolio of research institutes, A*STAR facilitates collaborations between scientists and industry partners, driving technology transfer and fostering economic growth.

 

Corporate Innovation: Embracing an Open Ecosystem

In today’s fast-paced business environment, corporations recognize the importance of embracing open innovation frameworks. Rather than relying solely on internal R&D efforts, companies are increasingly looking beyond their organizational boundaries to source innovative solutions. By tapping into external networks of startups, research institutions, and technology providers, corporations can access cutting-edge technologies and stay ahead of the competition.

 

Government Support: Fostering Collaboration and Growth

Governments play a crucial role in fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive innovation. In Singapore, the government’s support for research and development initiatives, coupled with incentives for industry collaboration, has created a conducive environment for innovation to thrive. By investing in programs that encourage knowledge exchange and technology transfer, governments can fuel economic growth and spur technological advancement.

 

Overcoming Challenges: Adapting to Disruption

In an increasingly digital and interconnected world, companies must adapt to rapid technological changes or risk being left behind. Disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, have the potential to reshape entire industries overnight. To remain competitive, companies must embrace agility and innovation, continuously seeking new ways to improve their products, services, and business models.

 

The Path Forward: Collaboration and Resilience

As we look ahead to the future of technology and innovation, collaboration between governments and corporations will be paramount. By fostering open ecosystems, embracing disruptive technologies, and investing in research and development, we can overcome challenges, drive economic growth, and shape a better world for generations to come.

The transformation of the technology innovation ecosystem requires collective effort and collaboration from all stakeholders. By embracing open innovation, leveraging government support, and adapting to disruption, we can unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. Together, we can build a future where technology serves as a catalyst for positive change and prosperity.

 

About Mr. Quek Kai Hoo

Mr. Quek Kai Hoo currently is Chief Investment Offer at A*STAR Innovation and Enterprise Group. He is responsible for the A*STAR spinoff portfolio, supporting them through investor and partner introductions, as well as connecting them to resources within the startup ecosystem. He also manages the portfolio equity and supports spinoffs through venture co-creation. Before joining A*STAR in 2016, Kai Hoo has more than 15 years of investment experience and M&A professional through executing numerous deals across growth and venture capital, private equity fund-of-funds and real estate with sovereign fund (Temasek), family office (Kestrel) and listed companies (Unisteel and Rowsley).

 

About A*star

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore’s lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, A*STAR collaborate with partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. The research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR’s R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis.

For more information, visit www.a-star.edu.sg .

 

About A*star Innovation & Enterprise

The A*star Innovation & Enterprise is set up under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 masterplan. The A*star Innovation & Enterprise create greater synergies between Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and its partners through various types of collaborations, such as research, licensing and spin-off efforts. It also bridges the gap between research and market by building strategic partnerships with businesses and co-developing products. The Enterprise works across a range of industry clusters. The Enterprise also play a national role in terms of grant administration, and oversee national platforms like DxD Hub and BMS IPO, among others.

For more information, visit www.a-star.edu.sg/enterprise/.