3D Pen With 'Cool' Ink; Space Debris 'Sweepers' and Other High Tech Singapore Innovations on Show at SXSW 2015

AUSTIN, TX–(Marketwired – Mar 12, 2015) – The world’s first 3D pen with cool ink; sweepers of space debris for a safer space environment; a cryptocurrency payment gateway that makes cross-border money transfers fuss-free — these cutting-edge innovations are the ‘brainchild’ of some of the thirteen quality, innovation driven Singapore-based tech start-ups that Infocomm Investments Pte Ltd (IIPL), the venture capital arm of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), is leading to represent Singapore at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Trade Show in Austin, Texas from 15 – 18 March this year.

Dr. Alex Lin, Head of IIPL, said, “This is the largest ever contingent of promising Singapore tech start-ups showcasing at SXSW, some of which have recently graduated from IIPL’s acceleration efforts. As Singapore builds itself into a Smart Nation, we are grooming more innovation driven tech companies in Singapore that can tackle important worldwide challenges and scale globally. Part of our strategy in doing so is to establish strong nodes in leading tech-innovation hubs across the world, and grow quality start-ups for the global stage. We are also continuing to invest in growth-stage tech start-ups from the US that are looking to expand into Asia via Singapore.”

Tackling real world challenges in various industry verticals spanning across e-commerce, financial services, digital media & advertising, environment to logistics & supply chain, these thirteen tech start-up teams will showcase a diverse range of emerging technologies including 3D printing, image search & recognition, cryptocurrency, space debris removal satellites and data analytics that are able to serve the needs of the US market. At the Trade Show, the start-up teams are looking forward to connect with potential business partners and customers, as well as pitch and demo their cutting-edge tech products to investors and established industry leaders.

The participating start-ups are Astroscale, Carousell, CastingDB, CoinPip, CreoPop, Digify, Eyeota, Gumbuya, QLC.io, Temasys, TradeGecko, Viddsee, and ViSenze.

Start-up teams with strong interest to expand into the US market following the sentiments and leads gathered at the Trade Show can also leverage IIPL’s co-working space at Block 71 San Francisco to better understand the market, establish their business and extend their networks within the US.

Besides enabling greater partnership opportunities between the US and Singapore tech start-up communities, IIPL also seeks to collaborate with US-based entrepreneurs, companies, investors and accelerators to explore the vast business opportunities in Asia. IIPL is looking to invest in growth-stage US tech companies that are interested to expand into Asia through Singapore, and explore business opportunities related to Singapore’s Smart Nation vision. US tech start-ups can also participate in Singapore-based accelerator programmes, which will be run at IIPL’s startup facility, BASH (‘Build Amazing Start-ups Here’) in Singapore.

This is Singapore’s fifth showing at SXSW. Singapore’s tech start-ups will be exhibiting at the Singapore Pavilion themed “Singapore: Your Launchpad to Asia” (Booth 1243) at the Austin Convention Centre Exhibit Hall 3.

ISSUED BY INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE AND INFOCOMM INVESTMENTS PTE LTD

About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The mission of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is to develop information technology and telecommunications within Singapore with a view to serve citizens of all ages and companies of all sizes. IDA does this by actively supporting the growth of innovative technology companies and start-ups in Singapore, working with leading global IT companies as well as developing excellent information technology and telecommunications infrastructure, policies and capabilities for Singapore. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg or follow us on Twitter @IDA_Singapore.

About Infocomm Investments Pte Ltd
Infocomm Investments Pte Ltd (IIPL) builds and invests in Singapore and global infocomm technology start-ups. Managing more than SGD200 million, we accelerate the development of start-ups in their formative phase, and invest further as they move towards growth and expansion. IIPL plays a central role in building a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem in Singapore for start-ups to flourish through our investments, partnerships across sectors and global reach. IIPL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore. For more information, please visit www.infocomminvestments.com or follow us on Twitter @iipl.