BlueChilli is heading to Singapore to open a healthtech accelerator

Startup accelerator BlueChilli is launching a healthtech accelerator in Singapore, giving the Sydney-based venture a permanent HQ in the city-state.

Founder Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin has partnered with the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry’s development agency, Enterprise Singapore, to launch the accelerator with an eye to the fact that the US$6.3 billion invested in 2018 in the rapidly expanding Asia-Pacific healthtech sector, the world’s second largest for investment funds raised, behind the US. That figure is double 2016’s investment and Singapore, alongside Indonesia, leads the way in funding.

BlueChilli CEO Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin. Source: Supplied

BlueChilli has already invested in eight healthtech companies.

Enterprise Singapore’s deputy CEO, Ted Tan, said demand for quality, affordable and accessible healthcare solutions was rising rapidly across Asia, in part driven by the rising affluence and ageing population.

The Asian expansion follows BlueChilli’s launch of an Innovation Centre in partnership with Coca-Cola Amatil in Indonesia last month. Last year it partnered with Singapore-based Hatcher+ to co-invest in 240 global tech startups.

Eckersley-Maslin said new accelerator will be a key driver in advancing the company’s focus on building globally-scalable startups that draw on insights and capabilities from Asia – and Singapore is one of the world’s leading hubs for innovation.

“Our mission is to help people anywhere solve society’s greatest challenges with technology, so we are excited to extend our reach further into Southeast Asia,” he said.

“New ideas, innovative business models and emerging technologies coming out of the accelerator have immense potential to disrupt and transform the health industry and improve quality of life across the globe.”

Founders selected for the Singapore program will get access to tech development services at no additional cost, startup training, seed funding and a global network of advisors and mentors.

A network of leading health and innovation partners from Singapore and Australia, including CSIRO and Galen Growth Asia are part of the program, with more partners, including local healthcare providers, expected to sign up.

The CSIRO’s Dr David Hansen, CEO of the Australian eHealth Research Centre, will be the Accelerator’s Expert in Residence.

Applications for the BlueChilli’s Singapore HealthTech Accelerator open May 28, 2019.