Xtra Chapter Challenge: Giving extra opportunities for entrepreneurs
New programme by NUS Enterprise aims to increase the university’s pool of commercialisable ideas.
5 March 2010, Singapore – In order to further encourage entrepreneurship amongst graduate students, NUS Enterprise has initiated the Xtra Chapter Challenge. This programme provides PhD students with the opportunity to explore the commercial feasibility of their thesis inventions and discoveries. At the same time, it will increase the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) pool of marketable ideas.
Three inaugural recipient fellows of the Xtra Chapter Challenge programme were announced today at the Technology Commercialisation Forum 2010 (TCF 2010), which was graced by Mr Teo Ming Kian, Permanent Secretary, National Research and Development, Prime Minister's Office. Mr Teo presented letters of awards to Sathya Dev Unudurthi (Faculty of Science), Khoo Eng Tat (Faculty of Engineering)
“The wealth of knowledge available in universities can be tapped into for an enormous range of commercialisation possibilities. Such academic entrepreneurship would enrich and strengthen the traditional roles of education and research. Renowned universities world wide all have good science and great enterprises, attracting the best students. I am very pleased to see NUS doing the same, helping to transform Singapore into a vibrant science and technology hub, and a knowledge-based, innovation-driven entrepreneurial economy,” said Mr Teo Ming Kian, Permanent Secretary (National Research and Development)
“The Xtra Chapter Challenge is one of our many key activities being rolled out, under the National Research Foundation’s University Innovation Fund. Not only will this programme identify and assist PhD students with commercialisable research, it will help attract top quality graduate students who are entrepreneurially-
The Xtra Chapter Challenge Programme
The Xtra Chapter Challenge is a six-month programme, where successful recipient fellows will be provided a monthly stipend to develop a commercialisation plan for their invention. Recipient fellows will be invited to join NUS Enterprise’s incubation ecosystem, which includes participation in entrepreneurship workshops, an overseas market exposure study visit and numerous networking opportunities. In addition, recipient fellows will be assigned an experienced mentor, who can provide guidance throughout the development of their commercialisation plan. These mentors include serial entrepreneurs, investors and marketing experts, who will give advice on the best way to translate an invention into a marketable product or service.
By the end of the six months, a panel will evaluate this commercialisation plan and ensure that proposals with commercial potential are fully exploited. Possible follow up actions could include providing assistance to apply for funding, or bringing the project under the NUS Entrepreneurship Centre for additional incubation. PhD students who have completed their thesis within a six to nine month period are eligible to apply for the Xtra Chapter Challenge. There will be two calls per year.
The Xtra Chapter Challenge recipient fellows
The inaugural recipient fellows of the Xtra Chapter Challenge are:
1) Sathya Dev Unudurthi (Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences) – Discovery of a new cell-penetrating peptide, called Entritin. This possesses unique physical properties, which are not found in existing cell-penetrating peptides, making it ideal for use as a molecule transporter in pharmaceutical and cosmetics applications.
2) Khoo Eng Tat (Faculty of Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department) – Development of entertainment and cultural media that provide engaging and enjoyable interactions between the elderly and children.
3) James Teh Keng Soon (Faculty of Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department) – Development of user-friendly human computer interaction systems that aim to allow people to communicate remotely through touch and feel via the Internet.
See Annex 1 for details on the potential applications each recipient’s project.
The Technology Commercialisation Forum 2010
The launch of the Xtra Chapter Challenge programme during TCF 2010 fits well with its theme “Knowledge-
“We are now into our fifth year of organising the Technology Commercialisation Forum. I am delighted to see the number of participants growing each year. The juxta-positioning of TCF with the Asian Business Angel Forum happening next week has meant an increase in the presence of the angels and early-stage VCs, which has been very exciting to the entrepreneurs and researchers at TCF. We hope that this event will spur more partnerships, including licensing deals, investments and research collaborations,”
TCF 2010 is organised by ILO in partnership with the Association of University Technology Managers, and is sponsored by Intellectual Ventures, Fenwick & West LLP, Transpacific IP, Thomson Reuters, Allen & Gledhill, Viering Jentschura & Partner and Yu Sarn Audrey & Partners. It is supported by the Business Angel Network of S.E. Asia, e27, IDA Singapore, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, SPRING Singapore, Singapore Venture Capital & Private Equity Association and TiE Singapore.
TCF 2010 is part of the inaugural InnovFest, which is held from 5 to 7 March 2010. Organised by NUS Enterprise, InnovFest is a festival of innovation-related activities that aims to boost investments, technology transfer and networking within Asia’s finance, business and technology communities. In addition to TCF 2010, InnovFest also includes The Enterprise Connection, a networking dinner that pulls together various international networks, comprising of international start-up companies, entrepreneurs, inventors and investors.
Chan Yiu Lin (Ms)
PR Consultant, NUS Enterprise
Email: yiulin@starhub.net.sg
Mobile: (65) 9765-5897
