Verizon Communications has unveiled plans to foster a thriving technology community in Singapore, with the launch of its first innovation-community space in Asia.
Singapore-based JustCo has been appointed to help curate and manage the space. Founded on the precept of the sharing economy, JustCo aims to create a collaborative environment through the design of unique spaces that aim to boost innovation and increase productivity.
The new space will be located within Verizon’s Singapore headquarters in Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore. Specifically, it will act to bring an already vibrant tech community together to driven innovation and collaborative learning.
“This first-in-Asia initiative sees a shift in the relationship between local innovation networks and big corporates,” said Kong Wan Sing, founder and CEO of JustCo.
JustCo has seen a string of recent successes, including a joint venture in Indonesia with one of Asia’s largest business players Gunung Sewu.
“The launch of the Verizon Innovation Community has given us the opportunity to apply our community management expertise, workplace technology and customised programmes to facilitate access between the tech communities and Verizon,” added Kong.
The newly minted innovation hub will focus on five key areas, namely, cyber security, fintech/blockchain, digital media, internet of things (IoT), and robotic process automation/artificial intelligence.
The Singapore government has made concerted efforts to build up local talent and co-innovation in recent years. Verizon’s new space will be the latest boost to the sector.
While the local tech community will benefit from Verizon’s experience and expertise, it’s a two-way street said Verizon.
“The targeted membership of the Verizon Innovation Community will spark meaningful and productive conversations that align with our objective of connecting people, companies and communities through technology,” added Nick LiVigne, global lead for innovation community development, Verizon.
According to LiVigne, this will benefit Verizon in a number of ways, not least giving the telco access to new and fresh perspectives from the local tech community.
The telco will also work to build up the local tech community with coaching, mentoring, running workshops and scheduling a series of regular events. In addition, partners and customers will be invited to participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives.
