Singapore – Enterprise Singapore and Google Cloud have recently joined forces to empower Singaporean high-growth startups and SMEs in their workforce proficiency and productivity. This strategic collaboration is aimed at accelerating the growth and adoption of artificial intelligence through the launch of new initiatives and proprietary AI products.
In this partnership, Google spearheaded an event to showcase the first cohort of startup graduates from “Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore” and announced the new AI initiatives under the ongoing strategic collaboration between the Singapore Government and Google Cloud.
Gan Kim Yong, deputy prime minister and minister for trade and industry at the Republic of Singapore, served as the Guest of Honor for the event and said, “AI is a key driver of the Singapore economy, and it is critical for organisations of all sizes to embrace and deepen their use of AI to grow their businesses. The initiatives unveiled today at Google Cloud’s AI First event aim to advance AI adoption for startups and SMEs.”
“Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore supports the growth of AI-oriented startups based in Singapore, and SMEs can leverage the Gemini for Google Workspace Program (SMEs) to kickstart their AI journeys and boost productivity. These initiatives demonstrate how public-private collaborations with technology leaders like Google Cloud can accelerate AI adoption and advance our National AI Strategy goals,” added Gan.
The first cohort of Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore took place from April to August 2024, featuring 25 globally oriented, early-stage startups. Selected from hundreds of applicants, the group includes Atlas, Cosmos Innovation, Eezee, Kookree, Lytehouse, and Transparently.AI.
Subsequently, they have also announced the commencement of the program’s application process for its second cohort, scheduled to begin in February 2025. According to them, this three-month initiative will expand to accept 35 startups.
“The success of the inaugural cohort of Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore reflects our commitment toward enabling promising AI startups with the means to turn innovative AI concepts into reality and commercialise them for local and global markets,” said Philbert Gomez, executive director at Digital Industry Singapore.
Gomez further shared, “The creativity and sophistication of the AI products developed by the graduating startups is a testament to the talent in our local ecosystem and its potential to deepen Singapore-based tech expertise, paving the way for long-term AI-powered growth. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Google Cloud as we continue supporting local organisations in their AI journey for growth in the digital economy.”
Also speaking about the initiative, Serene Sia, country director for Singapore at Google Cloud, also said, “Google Cloud has been a prolific contributor to the growth of gen AI startups, with more than 60% of all funded gen AI startups and nearly 90% of today’s gen AI unicorns leveraging our infrastructure and capabilities. Through Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore, we’re providing locally-based founders with access to our broad choice of foundation models and developer tools, as well as resources, support, and routes-to-market for early-stage companies that are in line with regional nuances, so they can build and scale new AI products from the ground up in a matter of weeks.”
During the event, Google Cloud and EnterpriseSG has further unveiled the introduction of Gemini for Google Workspace Programs (SMEs). Said program will support eligible businesses with their adoption of Gemini for Google Workspace by defraying up to 50% of the license costs for a 12-month usage period.
It will also assist small business owners and their employees to accelerate their productivity, creativity, and quality of work with the industry-leading capabilities of Gemini for Google Workspace.
Geoffrey Yeo, assistant managing director at Enterprise Singapore, added, “Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore and Gemini for Google Workspace Program (SMEs) underscore EnterpriseSG’s efforts to boost Singapore’s fast-developing AI ecosystem and deepen our companies’ capabilities to simplify work processes and improve efficiency. We will continue to collaborate with AI ecosystem partners like Google Cloud to spur AI innovation and adoption among businesses to strengthen their competitiveness, build new capabilities, and capture emerging opportunities.”
“The Gemini for Google Workspace Program (SMEs) makes it easier for small business owners and their employees to adopt and extract value from gen AI, given that these companies typically operate with a tighter pool of resources that may see one person doing the job of many, and they would benefit from having time freed up to focus on important work and innovation,” continued Sia.
She further explained, “Alongside other initiatives like AI Trailblazers and Skills Ignition SG, the developments announced today fall under the programmatic and intentional approach that Google Cloud has been undertaking with the Singapore Government since May 2023, reinforcing our commitment toward helping organisations of all sizes thrive in an AI-enabled digital economy.”
