Six months into the inaugural ideas.inc. Business Challenge, 15 teams have made it into the semi-finals of the competition. They were selected from a list of 200 entries from various local universities and polytechnics.

Co-organised by NTU and SPRING Singapore, ideas.inc. is a unique competition that brings together a combination of funding support and expert mentorship for young aspiring entrepreneurs. It goes beyond a typical business plan competition to encompass the development and commercialisation of the innovative business ideas. The 15 semi-finalists were given up to $15,000 to build prototypes and explore the commercial feasibility of their product or service ideas. Furthermore, they have benefited from being mentored by a select group of Singapore-based

entrepreneurs, NTU professors and alumni, and industry partners. Finalist teams will be eligible for additional funding of up to $50,000 under SPRING's Young Entrepreneurs Scheme for Startups (YES! Startups).

Innovative ideas of aspiring young entrepreneurs
These 15 semi-finalists will go on to compete in the semi-finals on 8 April. Here are some of the innovative ideas that the teams have come up with.

Forget Boundaries
Comprising team members from NTU, SMU and NUS, Forget Boundaries aims to change the landscape of travel by providing opportunities for youth to explore sustainable and responsible travel. Their online platform presents a unique and interactive experience for users to put together their travel itineraries, map their travels and create digital scrapbooks of their travel photos and videos.

In Vitro
In Vitro, a team from NTU, develops innovative lifestyle products. Its flagship product "Plant-in-a-Bottle" allows customers to own a plant that grows without the need for water. They are currently developing spinoff product by adding functions to improve a person's well-being and quality of life in their personal space.

Soyato
The two member team from NUS and SMU have come up with a new frozen dessert called FROZEN SOY. Unlike ice cream, it is low in fat, lactose and free of cholesterol and unlike frozen yogurt, it misses out on the tartness. It is available in many different flavours.

ideas.inc. receives $300,000 boost
This month, ideas.inc received a boost with the partnership of Invention Capital LLP. Invention Capital focuses on creating and commercialising patentable inventions and invests in technology companies that are within its portfolio. Invention Capital is pumping in up to $300,000 into ideas.inc. This money will be invested in any of the 15 semi-finals. This is in addition to the up to $15,000 each semi-finalist receives and the up to $50,000 each finalist receives.

Youth entrepreneurship is off to a roaring start this year with the host of innovative ideas from the teams from our local institutes of higher learning and the support mechanisms available to help these youth commercialise their ideas.

For more info and the innovative ideas of the other teams, visit ideas.inc website.