Provides up to S$50,000 to develop just your IDM idea!

The “IDM Jump-start And Mentor” (i.JAM) initiative supports individuals and start-ups with breakthrough ideas that can be developed into innovative products and services. The success of Web 2.0 services shows that the collective contribution of the masses or user-generated content and social networking can bring about a myriad of useful services.

Athena Innobator, the joint incubation programme between SMU, Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and LASALLE College of the Arts, works closely with the Interactive Digital Media Programme Office (IDMPO) to facilitate support from industry players, business mentors and technology suppliers to provide bottom-up assistance to transforming your innovative ideas into useful applications and breakthroughs.

Click here for our joint incubation blogspot: http://idmincubation.blogspot.com/

Fast Facts

• Supports mentees (individuals* or startups) with up to S$50,000 to explore technical merits or feasibility of ideas.
• IDM projects should have the potential to create business disruptions and build new industry sub sectors.
• The products and/or services must not be already available in the market.
• Beyond the Micro Funding Scheme, an online "jamming" platform is also built to match-make and promote innovations.
• A bi-monthly match making; physical jamming is also organised at the IDMPO.

*Business incorporation is not required.

How It Works

Under the i.JAM initiative, individuals will be encouraged to share, debate and experiment with innovative ideas through the online platform where promising ideas will be matched with appropriate mentor support and funding, to bring about their realisation. Click here to access it now.

The grant support is up to S$50,000, covering:

• Subsistence allowance of mentees (subject to a cap of S$600 per mentee per month);
• Third-party manpower costs including advisory costs (not including cost of managers for the mentors);
• Marketing expenses including overseas business travel;
• Research expenses and;
• Equipment and software (only if Futurescape is unable to provide and will be considered on a case-by-case basis).

Teams can be made up of students, faculty, staff and Alumni members (within 2 years of graduation) of SMU, NYP and NAFA. It can also contain outsiders. However, students must play a significant role in the development of the proposed project.

Project Requirements

The IDMPO accepts proposals for IDM projects that contribute to the growth of IDM usage and industry in Singapore. R&D projects can be technological, creative, business model testing, or sociological in nature. We require the proposer to present the proposal in a format that presents the R&D concept, objectives and requirements clearly to facilitate the evaluation process.

Once approved, the project members or company has to complete the project within a two years time frame.

> For your useful information, click on i.Jam Proposal Submission Template which will be used by shortlisted applicants for further evaluation.

Funding Criteria

The following criteria have been discussed with IDMPO who is administering the Micro Funding Scheme:

• A closely knit team is in place
• Team/Individual is committed in implementation
  - Visionary leader who can drive the project; demonstrate a clear vision of the project’s business potential and possess the capability to develop the project.
• Well differentiated product / service
  - Be rooted in innovative R&D, resulting in competitive advantage
• A well thought through business model
  - Sustainable plans for growing the project into a viable business
  - Address a unique selling point in the market with significant regional and international market potential or should possess defensible Intellectual Property (IP) rights
• Does not need a huge amount of capital to start development
• Be In its early stage, high risk yet be feasible

Ready to apply?

SIMPLE!

Just download the one page submission form, fill it out and submit your soft copy to adelinetan@smu.edu.sg.

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Deadline for applications are at the first week of March, June, September & December each year.

For assistance, please contact Ms. Adeline Tan.

Members of Athena Innobator:

Funded by: