Grindstone and EnterpriseSG team up to bring Singapore Startups to South Africa

Partnering with Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), South African-based accelerator Grindstone has launched a pilot initiative that may allow Singaporean tech start-ups access to the South African market.

According to a press statement obtained by TechCabal, the program will be administered by the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), a network of Singapore and foreign partners in major innovation hubs in fifteen cities across the world. The Singaporean government’s enterprise enhancement business is called Enterprise Singapore.

The hybrid pilot program connects Singapore entrepreneurs and SMEs with possible international partners and opportunities through seminars, focused one-on-one mentoring with business experts, networking opportunities, and an overseas immersion trip. Selected startups will go through an 8-week program that includes structured interventions like business review, access to top coaches, course materials and seminars, networking, and access to finance introductions.

Grindstone’s director, Catherine Young, stated that the company favors expanding startups’ access to markets and financial options in order to help them grow.

“As development engineers, we try to constantly improve our networks for market entry and funding for the start-ups we work with, and our Grindstone geographical enlargement has enabled us to deliver Africa to the world and the world to Africa. This programme will assist us strengthen networks between Singapore and South African start-ups and we stay up for working with EnterpriseSG on this initiative,” she added.

According to Jonathan Lim, director of the International Innovation Community at EnterpriseSG, Africa is interesting for Singaporean tech companies not only because of its sizable clientele but also because of the rapid digital adoption, industrialization, and urbanization of the continent, which creates new needs and opportunities.

“There’s potential for Singapore firms to collaborate with in-market companions within the co-development of recent options. We additionally welcome African corporates and start-ups to leverage Singapore as a hub to innovate and scale up in Asia,” he mentioned.