About Us
Cool Ideas Enterprise is an open innovation platform for innovators to co-develop solutions that improve the living environment and residents’ quality of life. We are looking for solutions in five focus areas – Energy, Urban Greenery, Living Environment, Water and Waste, and Building Technology – that can be piloted in our Living Labs island wide. Participants can benefit from funding support, mentorship, and access to facilities. Find out more about how to submit your proposals, and view our answer to frequently asked questions.
Aspiring entrepreneurs and enterprises who are ready to develop, implement and commercialise their solutions, including: a) Start-ups and SMEs with existing technology that can be modified for use in public housing estates b) Innovators with near-ready solutions to be test-bedded, validated, and implemented by HDB
Successful applicants can enjoy the following benefits:
We are looking for solutions that can be developed and piloted in our Living Labs such as Punggol, Yuhua, Teck Ghee, and Tengah. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: • Innovativeness of solution • Potential contribution and impact on HDB and/ or HDB residents • Scalability of project across HDB estates/ private properties/ abroad • Competency of team to develop and implement solutions
We are looking for strategic partnerships that help scale technologies and accelerate innovations across these focus areas, with smart initiatives and digitisation as an enabling layer:-
You can submit your proposal(s) under one of the two categories:-
Develop a solution to improve waste collection operations in HDB estates where the Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS) has not been installed. The solution should:
Please refer to the factsheet for more background and information on the requirements.
Develop a solution that allows for integrated digital project delivery (i.e. the tracking, monitoring and management of construction materials from production, delivery, to site installation). The solution should be able to be integrated and updated in a common data environment (CDE), offering timely and consolidated updates to project stakeholders.
Develop a solution to reduce glare and ambient heat generated by solar panels, and improve their efficiency.
Develop Smart Home solutions that are able to integrate with the Smart Distribution Boards (DBs) and sockets installed within HDB flats, while minimising the number of gateways and mobile applications needed to control smart homes devices.
You can submit your proposal or queries to HDB_CoolideasENT@hdb.gov.sg.
Proposals should include: • Company/ Applicant’s details • Proposed solutions/ technologies for evaluation • Estimated budget breakdown Please download the application form for reference. Timeline of Evaluation Process: Approximately 9 to 12 weeks
How is Cool Ideas Enterprise different from the other Cool Ideas platforms, such as the Call for Ideas and Cool Ideas Hack? Unlike the Call for Ideas and Cool Ideas Hack, which are competitions meant for members of the public, Cool Ideas Enterprise is an innovation programme where any aspiring entrepreneur or enterprise can submit their solution/technology to HDB at any time. Can individuals apply for Cool Ideas Enterprise? Is the programme only open to enterprises? All aspiring entrepreneurs and enterprises with existing innovations that can be adapted for housing estates, and innovators with near-ready solutions to be test-bedded and implemented by HDB, are eligible to apply for the Cool Ideas Enterprise programme. Individuals will be required to register a company or partner an enterprise in order to tap on the Cool Ideas Enterprise programme for their solutions. Is there a cap on the amount of funding I can receive? All successful applicants will receive funding support of up to 70% of their development cost. There is no cap on the funding quantum.
Who owns the Intellectual Property (IP) for the developed solution? The ownership of the foreground IP will be based on inventive contribution. The background IP will reside with the original owner.
• The Straits Times: Start-ups here snagged US$10.5 billion in financing last year (28 April 2019)