Overview

The Open Innovation Platform (OIP) is IMDA's virtual crowdsourcing platform that connects Problem Owners (corporates, SMEs, public agencies) with Problem Solvers (startups, tech firms, research institutions) to co-innovate and crowdsource digital/tech solutions. It supports a structured innovation process from ideation → POC/Prototype → pilot/deployment. OIP is part of Singapore's broader Open Innovation Network (OIN) which aggregates multiple innovation challenge programmes.

Support Details

Support Rate

Prize money as seed funding without needing to give up equity, Problem Solvers usually own IP rights from their work unless agreed otherwise

Cap

Varies by challenge, typically over S$550,000 total across winners

Project Duration & Scope

8-12 weeks for idea challenges, 3-6 months total duration from call to prototype depending on complexity

Eligibility Criteria

Problem Owners: Private sector/public sector/SMEs/corporates can post challenges
Must be willing to put up prize monies to attract solvers
Must commit to engage with solvers, test prototypes, possibly deploy solutions
Problem Solvers: Individuals, startups, technology companies, research institutions with digital/tech expertise
Should have capability to co-create/innovate, build the proposed solution
Global solvers allowed, but may need physical presence/bearing costs for demos in Singapore if required

Supported Categories

Ideation/Idea Challenges: Solicit conceptual ideas, not yet developed, for business problem solving

Proof-of-Concept (POC): Build basic models or isolated technical feasibility demonstration

Prototype/Pilot: Working solutions tested in realistic or simulated environment

Application Process

Challenge definition and refinement - Problem Owner works with IMDA/OIP to refine business challenge into clear problem statement

Types of challenges and expected deliverables (POC/prototype) are specified

Call/Application phase - challenge published on OIP with solvers submitting proposals over fixed period (8-12 weeks typical)

Evaluation and selection of finalists - proposals assessed by Problem Owner + OIP evaluation panel on innovation, feasibility, business value

Finalists may receive partial funding/seed disbursement to start POC/prototype work

Development and implementation - Solver builds POC/prototype with Problem Owner over ~3-6 months

Interim milestones, check-ins, and progress reviews conducted

Final evaluation/winner selection and prize disbursement according to challenge terms

Further development/commercialization - IMDA may facilitate scaling or refer to other grants/support schemes

Processing Time

Ongoing challenges throughout the year, 8-12 weeks application phase, 3-6 months development phase

Project Duration & Completion

8-12 weeks for idea challenges, 3-6 months total duration from call to prototype depending on complexity

Best Practices for a Successful Application

Frame your challenge clearly - better problem statement leads to better solutions

Engage IMDA/OIP early in refinement - they help with diagnosing/refining challenge statements

Align expectations - clearly define deliverables, evaluation criteria, IP terms upfront

For solvers: choose challenges aligned to your strengths - domain + technical fit helps

Prototype quickly and iterate - aim for minimal viable solution, then improve

Demonstrate value/metrics - include KPIs, performance metrics, business benefits

Negotiate fair IP/rights/exclusivity - ensure agreements are balanced

Plan for post-challenge continuation - anticipate what it takes to scale, integrate, support

Use the OIP community and forum - collaborate, network, find partners

Review challenge terms carefully - each challenge may have special rules for physical presence, demo requirements

Sample Use Cases & Scenarios

Digital transformation challenges where enterprises need external innovation to reduce risk and costs

Co-creation of new solutions between corporates and startups/tech firms

Fast-tracking digital/tech innovation by exposing real business needs to wide pool of solvers

Crowdsourcing ideas and testing multiple proposals in parallel

Building references and credibility for problem solvers through corporate collaboration

Structured innovation processes across ideation, POC, and prototype phases

Additional Information

Purpose and Philosophy: The OIP aims to help enterprises unlock external innovation, reduce risk and costs of digital transformation by sharing challenges with a broad ecosystem. It stimulates collaboration between corporates and startups/tech firms, enabling co-creation of new solutions, and fast-tracks digital/tech innovation by exposing real business needs to a wide pool of solvers. Roles and Responsibilities: Problem Owner: • Define business challenge and frame problem statement • Put up prize monies to incentivize solutions • Work with selected solvers for POC/prototype/pilot development Problem Solver: • Respond to published challenges with proposals • Build POC/prototype solutions • Collaborate with Problem Owner for development IMDA/OIP Team: • Facilitate diagnosis of challenge and refinement of problem statements • Launch Innovation Calls and match solvers with owners • Provide process support throughout challenge lifecycle IP and Ownership Considerations: • Problem Solvers usually own IP rights from their work, unless agreed otherwise • Before development, Problem Owner and Solver can negotiate IP/exclusivity positions • Important to review Challenge Terms/Submission carefully for IP clauses Limitations and Risk Factors: • Finite challenge scope and constraints - challenges are pre-defined • Prize money only covers part - often solvers still bear costs • Timeline pressure - 3-6 month development windows may be tight for complex innovations • Commercial scaling risk - moving from prototype to deployment requires more resources • Dependencies on external parties - success depends on access to data, systems, domain knowledge from Problem Owner