Rainmaking has partnered Enterprise Singapore (ESG) to launch Singapore’s first ‘Supply Chain Resilience Accelerator’, a new programme that will bring startups and corporates together to boost scalable technology solutions addressing pain points in transport and logistics. The programme aims to strengthen local and global supply chains from Singapore, by leveraging its strategic position as a global trade and connectivity hub. As a result of the Supply Chain Resilience Accelerator, at least 20 startups with high-growth potential will benefit and join Singapore’s vibrant startup ecosystem to service the global business community

“Covid-19 exposed the fragility of global trade, and the Supply Chain Resilience Accelerator is our opportunity to spot weak links and build back better. Piloting outside tech can be an incredibly efficient way to test viable solutions to big problems, provided you de-risk and design for scale. Our programme does precisely this by helping corporate decision-makers and startups to work on compelling business opportunities, anticipate operational risks, and ultimately co-create solutions fit for wider industry adoption,” said Angela Noronha, Director for Open Innovation at Rainmaking. Rainmaking and ESG will kickstart the programme with an open call for startups specialising in supply chain solutions for end-to-end visibility, automation, analytics, and sustainability. Subsequently, Rainmaking will nurture the shortlisted startups, foster valuable startup-corporate engagements to drive scalable pilots and provide access to investment opportunities.

“As an advocate of market-oriented open innovation, we welcome programmes like the Supply Chain Resilience Accelerator which aims to help companies resolve operational pain points, strengthen supply chain resilience and spur growth in a post-pandemic world. With a strong track record in driving open innovation initiatives for the transport and supply chain industry, we believe that Rainmaking’s in-depth knowledge of the ecosystem and network of global partners can complement Singapore’s efforts in accelerating our business community’s adoption of tech-enabled tools, to better manage future disruptions and capture opportunities arising from shifts in global supply chains. This will in turn help to strengthen our local ecosystem and Singapore’s status as a global hub for trade and connectivity,” said Law Chung Ming, Executive Director for Transport and Logistics, Enterprise Singapore.

Rainmaking is currently engaging organisations that are specialists in different industry verticals and have expressed interest to join the group of corporate partners, who will run pilots from Singapore. Solutions with successful outcomes may be adopted globally by the relevant corporations. Cargill, a leader in innovating and decarbonising food supply chains, is one of the first selected corporate partners.

“Cargill is constantly exploring ways to improve the way we work and service our customers. Sustainability, smart manufacturing and supply chain optimisation are key areas of focus for us; exploring these from Singapore, where so many key players are already innovating, will help us form valuable partnerships from day one. We look forward to joining Rainmaking and ESG on this journey to work with, support, and grow the startup community by keeping them connected to industry needs,” said Dirk Robers, Cargill Digital Labs.

As part of the programme, Rainmaking will be organising industry outreach efforts like fireside chats, discussions and demo days, to raise awareness among both Singapore and global businesses on the importance of building resilience and how technology can be leveraged to handle future disruptions. To start, Rainmaking will host a virtual insight sharing event in July for innovation partners keen to partake in the initiative, and a Deal Friday session to connect businesses, investors, and selected startups with investment and partnership opportunities. Institutes of Higher Learning will also benefit from the programme’s events, gaining exposure to how new technologies and forward-thinking practitioners are transforming traditional supply chain management. Rainmaking and partners will present students with learnings from the programme and share real-world case studies, to equip the next generation of supply chain leaders with the latest industry developments.

“Even as we continue to work with startups and corporations all over the globe, we are so pleased to be anchoring this program out of Singapore. With a perfect storm of tech talent, corporate innovators, and robust institutional support, it’s the ideal launchpad for testing new solutions that have the potential to change entire industries. We look forward to driving the transformation with the ecosystem,” added Angela Noronha.
Source: Rainmaking