What We Do
PIER71TM designs and delivers programmes to uncover opportunities within the maritime industry. Bringing together a community of stakeholders who are keen to digitalise and create the next wave of maritime innovation, these are designed to provide access to markets, demand drivers, technology solution providers, investors and more.
Smart Port Challenge
Sitting at the core of PIER71TM is the annual Smart Port Challenge. Every year, we work in partnership with maritime corporates to turn their business challenges into innovation opportunities, then gather the best ideas from start-ups around the world and put them through PIER71TM Accelerate, a fast track towards creating a market-ready and viable product/solution.
Tell Me MorePIER71™ Accelerate
The first-of-its-kind in Singapore, PIER71TM Accelerate is a market validation and customer discovery programme backed by world-class entrepreneurship education from NUS Enterprise and specifically curated for the maritime industry. Typically a six-week programme exclusively for Smart Port Challenge finalists, workshops and masterclass sessions are conducted by industry veterans and domain experts. Start-ups are paired with a mentor and get connected to maritime corporates, investors, venture capitalists, serial entrepreneurs, as well as PIER71TM ’s networks of resources.
PIER71™ Ascend
PIER71™ Ascend is a 12-month, by-invite only scale-up programme, with curated masterclasses, industry networking sessions, and an immersion programme aimed at connecting start-ups to overseas markets and government stakeholders, as well as prospective maritime customers. Promising scale-ups can also apply for grant support of up to S$100,000 to scale their solutions, under MPA’s MINT-STARTUP scheme.
Nominate a start-up for PIER71™ Ascend
Learning Events
While PIER71TM Accelerate is exclusive to Smart Port Challenge finalists, there are plenty of other events and activities that are open to the wider community, including the PIER71TM Explore series. Visit our News & Events page regularly to find out what’s happening or join our mailing list and be the first to know.
Network of Resources
Partnerships with Venture Capital (VC) and Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) arms for funding
Partnerships with maritime corporates for test-bedding and product validation
Access to maritime testing facilities and environments
Access to wider NUS network for entrepreneurial education, technology and talent
Landing Pad Programme
Immerse in a vibrant community that has seen the genesis of thousands of start-ups. Be in close proximity to like-minded entrepreneurs and innovation enablers. Meet and interact with potential collaborators, customers and investors.
If you are a tech start-up with an ambition to reimagine the maritime industry, PIER71™ welcomes you to apply for our Landing Pad Programme. This is a sponsored residency with access to our facilities, network of resources, business services such as legal and accounting, a mentor-in-residence and specially curated events.
Enter Landing Pad