Facebook announces that it has partnered with Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) for the second edition of Facebook Accelerator Singapore (previously Startup Station Singapore). The programme will run for six months, looking to support data-driven startups.

By joining the programme, startups will have access to in-person training, mentoring, and an opportunity to network with regional venture capital and investors as an effort to help them grow.

For the second edition, participating startups are required to demonstrate the use of Facebook tools and trends, such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Messenger, and social commerce. Also, startups that intend to adopt trusted data and AI practices, such as IMDA’s trusted data-sharing framework and/or model AI governance framework would also be considered for the program.

The official statement from the companies states that it aims to continue the support for Singaporean and regional startups to grow and develop a community of innovative businesses.

Virginia Yang, Director of Developer Partnerships and Programs, Facebook APAC said, “We see that the startup community is making the most of building with new technologies. Through this program and with our partners we are proud to continue to support by offering mentorship, design and product deep dives as well as access to the investor community — so that they can build and grow sustainable businesses that can impact our lives and our communities.”

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The programme was known as Startup Station Singapore before, and it welcomed 10 startups from the region to participate in a specially designed program that empowered data-driven startups in Asia to accelerate their businesses with values of people’s trust, transparency, and control over their data at the core. Participants also presented at Demo Day back in August 2019.

“IMDA supports Facebook Accelerator Singapore as part of our effort to nurture a vibrant data innovation ecosystem. We are encouraged to see many startups incorporating best practices in the responsible use of data as part of their data-enabled services and applications,” said Yeong Zee Kin, Assistant Chief Executive (Data Innovation and Protection Group) of IMDA.

The second edition of the program is now open to applicants from across the region. The Facebook Accelerator Singapore team will be reaching out to startup communities in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia to encourage them to apply to the program.

Applications for startups open 1 November and close on 14 January 2020, powered by Plug and Play, an innovation platform for tech startups around the world.

Photo by Glen Carrie on Unsplash

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