The Trendlines recipe for nurturing start-ups, refined over more than 8 years in Israel, has arrived in Singapore.
Newly-incorporated Trendlines Medical Singapore is Singapore-listed Trendlines' first incubator outside of Israel.
It has begun its quest to identify 3-4 healthcare start-ups to bring into its fold in the next 12 months.
It has seen 8 companies, which are developing ideas for treating healthcare issues relating to hearing and dialysis, amongst others.
"We're often asked if there is sufficient technology and ideas here for us to look at. Yes, there are," said Mr Eric Loh, CEO of Trendlines Medical Singapore, at a briefing on Thursday (Sept 8).
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As in Israel, Trendlines will house start-ups in its 5,000sq ft office, at the soon-to-be completed JTC Launchpad @ one-north in Ayer Rajah.
Trendlines can be expected to provide them a whole suite of support -- from market research to business development and technology consulting; from financial consulting to investment banking.
Mr Loh said: "Our model is to be an intensive investor who is hands-on with start-ups we invest in. We pride ourselves in being able to work closely with entrepreneurs, bringing them through the whole process from idea creation to business development, regulatory strategies and more."
Crucial to the success of the incubator is financial support from the government.
As in Israel where it receives generous government financial aid, Trendlines is working towards "finalising an agreement" with the Singapore authorities for funding.
While the name of the Singapore agency has not been disclosed, it is public knowledge that Spring Singapore has a programme to support incubators.
On its website, Spring Singapore said its Incubator Development Programme provides up to 70% grant support to incubators and venture accelerators "to enhance their capabilities and programmes to better assist innovative start-ups."
  This adds on to the relationship that has been ongoing between Trendlines and B. Braun. In Nov of last year, when we went public on the SGX, B. Braun was our cornerstone investor. We entered into an agreement to cooperate in many fields, one of which is the creation of incubators."Everyone knows that the start-up environment is very challenging. We believe that the environment we are creating in Trendlines Medical Singapore will give start-ups in our field the best possible chance of success. They will be surrounded by our staff who are expert in developing companies, and this will be tremendously enhanced by the involvement of B. Braun using their market knowledge, their knowledge of all matters in developing and bringing medical products to market. With its global footprint, it brings breath and power to what we are doing." -- Todd Dollinger, Co-Chairman & Co-CEO, Trendlines Group. NextInsight file photo |
Just as important, Trendlines Medical Singapore will also enjoy the support of B. Braun, a German company which is one of the world's leading providers of healthcare solutions with 56,000 employees in 64 countries.
B. Braun and Trendlines Group have signed a non-binding MOU to invest in Trendlines Medical Singapore as minority and majority investors, respectively, and are finalising a definitive agreement to be signed by the end of this month (Sept).
Ms. Anna Maria Braun, President of B. Braun Asia Pacific, will join Trendlines Medical Singapore’s board of directors.
B. Braun will support the development of the portfolio companies by providing its expertise in the medical technology field, including technological development, regulatory, medical & scientific affairs, and marketing and sales.
For more on Trendlines' ways, see: TRENDLINES GROUP: Insights into nurturing start-ups