Celebrating Five Years of Maritime Innovation
“Technology and innovation will play a pivotal role as the global shipping community and Maritime Singapore accelerate digitalisation and decarbonisation efforts.
The PIER71™ programme partnership among MPA, NUS Enterprise, and industry collaborators has helped to nurture Singapore’s maritime innovation ecosystem, incorporating clean alternative fuels and green maritime technologies
As we commemorate PIER71™ 5th anniversary, we will also strengthen PIER71™’s international linkages, expand the search for innovative solutions beyond our shores, and leverage the Port of Singapore as a Living Lab to pilot new ideas.”
- Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, Maritime and Port Authority Singapore
“This year marks the 5th anniversary of PIER71™, a momentous milestone in our journey of maritime innovation since its establishment in 2018. As a founding partner, NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS), champions innovation and entrepreneurship at the university and beyond. We support PIER71™ in leveraging NUS Enterprise’s entrepreneurial programmes, including the Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP) and NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC), as well as the global BLOCK71 network, extending valuable resources and growth opportunities to maritime talents and start-ups.
Over the past five years, PIER71™ has been a catalyst in transforming the global maritime industry, notably through its flagship initiative, the Smart Port Challenge. Complementing this initiative are the Accelerate and Ascend programmes, designed to assist start-ups in market validation and scaling up respectively. To date, PIER71™ has supported over 110 start-ups at various stages of growth, from ideation to global expansion, collectively raising over S$65 million in venture capital. It is heartening to note that 4 of the start-ups have been acquired and they continue to remain active in PIER71™ Circle’s alumni activities.
As we celebrate this significant milestone, the future for PIER71™ is promising. With its commitment to nurturing talent and creating new opportunities, PIER71™ holds the potential for groundbreaking advancements in digitalisation, safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability, paving the way for the future of the maritime industry.”
- Prof. Chen Tsu Han, Deputy President (Innovation and Enterprise),
National University of Singapore
Founded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS), PIER71™ (Port Innovation Ecosystem Reimagined at BLOCK71) is an industry-focused start-up ecosystem that brings stakeholders together to advance innovation in the maritime industry.
PIER71™ plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation within the maritime industry by attracting talents, facilitating opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, accelerating the growth of start-ups and attracting investments into promising ventures. Its flagship initiative, the Smart Port Challenge, is an annual innovation competition aimed at identifying the most promising technological solutions from start-ups to address innovation opportunities, put forth by maritime corporation in Singapore.
2023 marks PIER71™’s 5th anniversary.
2018
PIER71 was conceived and established through the vision and leadership of its founding partners - Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and NUS Enterprise.
2019
PIER71’s growth included significant milestones as our inaugural Smart Port Challenge startups secured grant funding for Proof of Concept (POC) projects with industry partners.
2020
Amidst global challenges faced by humanity and businesses alike, our resilience prevailed. Notably, we successfully transitioned the Smart Port Challenge programme to a virtual format.
2021
During the gradual return to normalcy, we continued working towards progress. We adopted a hybrid program approach, culminating in a successful Smart Port Challenge Grand Final.
2022
A year of growth marked by international collaborations, commendable uptick in startups securing funding, and PIER71’s significant expansion within its investor network.
2023
PIER71 commemorates a significant milestone marking five years of impactful contributions to the maritime innovation landscape with the 6th Smart Port Challenge and the Great Circle.
OUR PARTNERS
We are grateful to our partners and stakeholders who stood with us since day one and contributed to making PIER71™ what it is today.
OUR COMMUNITY
Our alumni and community members who stood with us since day one and contributed to making PIER71™ what it is today.
