BCB Blockchain launches Innovation Grant
Building Cities Beyond (BCB) Blockchain has announced the launch of its BCB Innovation Grant. The Singapore-based blockchain developers for smart city solutions will be looking to award USD15 million worth of grants to projects developing on the BCB protocol, as it looks to ramp up development of its ecosystem. BCB’s launch of the grant comes alongside news of partnerships with leading accelerators to incubate selected projects.
The BCB Innovation Grant aims to boost key development areas of the BCB ecosystem, and will target up to 1,000 projects within Asia. The USD15 million grant will cater to the tech startup ecosystem in the region, with grant participants also gaining access to BCB workshops and facilities to assist and bolster their development capabilities. As part of its plans to attract developers to its platform, BCB will set aside USD2.8 million of its innovation grant to fund game development projects on the BCB platform. In doing so, the Singapore-based company hopes to use game development as a means to introduce and encourage developers to its blockchain protocol.
Douglas Gan, CEO of BCB Blockchain, said “As BCB continues to grow its ecosystem, we realize the vast potential of blockchain technology in everyday applications. We are looking at holistic approaches to support and reach out to existing and upcoming projects on the BCB protocol. The launch of the grant is part of this approach, as we look to support our partners in the midst of a challenging economic climate.”
As part of the company’s efforts to encourage innovation and strengthen its own ecosystem, BCB Blockchain has also announced partnerships with some of the leading accelerators to co-incubate startups in Southeast Asia. Building on their earlier partnership with the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), the Singapore-based company recently signed MOUs with associations such as Access Blockchain Association, a registered society under the Ministry of Home Affairs in Malaysia; as well as accelerators such as Meet Ventures and Hashed Labs — an Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP) of Enterprise Singapore.
The partners will look to identify growth-stage projects and collectively offer multi-layered support to any challenges the startups may face with regards to funding, technology, working space and business development. Through the partnerships, BCB is striving to boost the startup community, especially those looking to reinvent themselves to survive hits of the pandemic.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently addressed the nation on a post-pandemic future, where he discussed “Future Economy” strategies. As innovators and one of the region’s leading blockchain technology companies, BCB will look to support the upskilling of existing professionals and nurture future talents in Singapore.
The blockchain-based smart city protocol is partnering with the Institute of Blockchain Singapore (IBS) to extend its initiatives and facilities to students and upcoming technopreneurs. Students will also be able to participate in BCB Hackathon, set to take place in the coming months to showcase their concepts and score commercialization opportunities. BCB is also reaching out to other higher learning institutions to co-create workshops and educational events in the region.
“The strategic partnerships with educational institutions and accelerators will seek to address gaps in nurturing future talent, and provide support for projects as well as upskilling opportunities for developers looking to step into the blockchain space.”, added Douglas.
Interested participants will be able to sign up via the online registration form available at https://tinyurl.com/BCB-Innovation-Grant. For more information, kindly visit https://www.bcbchain.io .
