# Open Innovation Platform (OIP) > Open Innovation Platform (OIP) offers prize-based funding varies by challenge for Singapore businesses, capped at over S$550,000 across winners. Max Support Prize-based funding varies by challenge Cap Over S$550,000 across winners ### On This Page ## 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 1 Challenge definition and refinement - Problem Owner works with IMDA/OIP to refine business challenge into clear problem statement 2 Types of challenges and expected deliverables (POC/prototype) are specified 3 Call/Application phase - challenge published on OIP with solvers submitting proposals over fixed period (8-12 weeks typical) 4 Evaluation and selection of finalists - proposals assessed by Problem Owner + OIP evaluation panel on innovation, feasibility, business value 5 Finalists may receive partial funding/seed disbursement to start POC/prototype work 6 Development and implementation - Solver builds POC/prototype with Problem Owner over ~3-6 months 7 Interim milestones, check-ins, and progress reviews conducted 8 Final evaluation/winner selection and prize disbursement according to challenge terms 9 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 ## Contact Information Official Website Email: info@imda.gov.sg Phone: +65 6211 0888 ## Frequently Asked Questions 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. 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. The Open Innovation Platform (OIP) provides Prize-based funding varies by challenge funding support, capped at Over S$550,000 across winners. Prize money as seed funding without needing to give up equity, Problem Solvers usually own IP rights from their work unless agreed otherwise 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. Visit the official portal at https://www.imda.gov.sg/how-we-can-help/open-innovation-platform The Open Innovation Platform (OIP) is administered by Infocomm Media Development Authority. You can contact them at info@imda.gov.sg or +65 6211 0888. Where Volty fits ## For businesses that answer customers on WhatsApp Volty is Voltade's WhatsApp AI agent builder. A business trains its own agent on its SOPs, products and brand voice, and the agent answers enquiries on the business's own WhatsApp number, then takes the booking, logs the order or updates the record in the tools the business already runs. Volty starts at S$199 a month on the Plus plan, with unlimited seats. Volty is sold under Voltade AI Solutions, a PSG Pre-Approved Solution, so eligible Singapore SMEs can receive up to 50% PSG support on it. 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Talk to Volty ## Other Relevant Grants Explore additional funding opportunities that might complement this grant Digital Leaders Programme (DLP) · Up to S$200,000 over 2 years support, Support for up to 4 digital transformation roles · Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) · Up to 50% support, S$30,000 annually per company · Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) · Up to 50% for SMEs, 70% for sustainability projects support, Project-based evaluation ## Links - [Digital Leaders Programme (DLP)Up to S$200,000 over 2 years support, Support for up to 4 digital transformation roles](https://voltade.com/sg/grants/dlp-grant) - [Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)Up to 50% support, S$30,000 annually per company](https://voltade.com/sg/grants/psg-grant) - [Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)Up to 50% for SMEs, 70% for sustainability projects support, Project-based evaluation](https://voltade.com/sg/grants/edg-grant)