The newly-launched Brunei Innovation Lab (BIL) looks to increase the pipeline of innovative solutions and technology businesses in the country by developing an integrated technology and innovation ecosystem.
Situated on the ground and first floor of the Knowledge Hub (kHUB) in Anggerek Desa, BIL is a joint collaboration between Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), Shell LiveWIRE Brunei (LiveWIRE), Datastream Digital (DST), and Darussalam Enterprise (DARe).
BIL aims to develop the eco-system by creating capacity building programmes, identifying market and funding opportunities, forging collaborations amongst stakeholders and the wider technology community, and increasing awareness of the use of new technologies to the wider public.
With BIL’s ambitious’ plans usher in new innovation in the country, we take a closer look at their set up, programmes, and how they fit into Brunei’s wider digital aspirations.
BIL helping Brunei’s digital aspirations
BIL aligns with the country’s aspirations to be a smart nation through its Digital Economy Masterplan 2025, driven by the Digital Economy Council, which is made up of several government and national agencies.
Central to the masterplan is a focus on developing and adopting digital systems and technologies across the government, economy, and wider society – contributing towards the national vision, Wawasan Brunei 2035, of a dynamic and sustainable economy, backed by highly educated and skilled population who enjoy a high quality of life.
“Fostering innovative solutions with practical applications is urgently needed to boost the economy in a digital and innovative way,” said BSP In-Country Value Manager Hjh Rosita Hj Hassan.
“As we continue to build a more sustainable digital economy, BIL will enable us to co-create a robust portfolio of digital solutions, uniting everyone – businesses and consumers alike.”
Though Brunei’s global ranking in some areas of technology adoption – especially mobile, internet, and social media use – is relatively high, rankings in innovation are further behind.
At BIL’s launch yesterday, Minister at The Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II YB Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah said the innovation ecosystem in Brunei was still in a early stage compared to the region, but with potential.
The Global Innovation Index by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) currently lists Brunei at 71 amongst 131 countries.
DARe Acting CEO Daniel Leong said the establishment of BIL addresses the need for fully-fledged tech-based entrepreneurship programme within the wider business development ecosystem, which will help increase the number and overall competitiveness of tech startups in the country.
“Tech startups have great potential to capture value and deliver innovation at scale, but they still only form a minority of the overall number of the startups in the country,” said Leong.
“With BIL, we hope to see more growth in the pipeline of new tech startups, which will eventually translate to more diverse solutions with greater reach.”
Brunei Innovation Lab focuses on 10 new and emerging technology areas: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics & Automation, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, Digital Twin, Internet of Things (IoT), Additive Manufacturing, and Cybersecurity.
How does BIL operate?
BIL’s physical setup at kHUB is guided by the organisation’s three pillars: an innovation showcase, their flagship development programme Innovate Brunei, and a capability accelerator to address competency gaps in specific technology areas.
General Manager of BIL and Assistant Vice President for Digital Business at DST Freddie Ting shared that the ground floor houses their innovation showcase; while the first floor is dedicated for programmes, meetings, and working spaces, with a mini amphitheater for events and product launches as well.
Innovation showcase
BIL’s innovation showcase gallery area offers explainers on the 10 focus areas as well as three demo units which showcase the applications of IOT, smart agriculture, and renewable energy.
There’s also a digital playroom, which will rotate different batches of tenants offering digital products and solutions for visitors to try and learn more about, including 3D printing, and different simulation and mixed reality technology.
BIL plans to organise events and activities around the showcase to draw more interest for the public to learn the conceptual mechanisms and practical applications of new technologies. Opening hours are from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Innovate Brunei and capability accelerator
Innovate Brunei has five main components or ‘pods’ designed to help aspiring and existing technopreneurs progress from ideation to developing prototypes to achieving commercial scale.
The first pod is called ‘Innovate Accelerator’; where participants first gather for hackathons to develop solutions and products to opportunity areas identified by BIL based on market demand. Successful participants will then be connected with sponsors who will provide the seed funding or resources to initiate the development of their projects.
Accelerator participants and existing technopreneurs can also access further funding from the second pod, ‘Innovate Fund Connect’, which provides access to angel investors, venture capitalists, and established organisations.
Further consultancy and support for participants is provided under the third pod, ‘Innovate Boost’, which also provides prospective clients with a Brunei technopreneur directory.
The fourth pod, ‘Innovate Beyond Brunei’, looks to assist startups looking to internationalise by providing them with market insight, connections, and consultancy.
The final pod is the ‘Innovate Community’ that looks to connects the broader innovation eco-system including BIL participants, higher learning institutions, national agencies, and corporates through events and activities.
Meanwhile the capability accelerator aims to fill skill and knowledge gaps amongst Bruneians in specific technology fields. BIL is also partnering with nine local and global consultants to provide business and technical mentorship to participants.
Joining the BIL ecosystem
BIL is expected to announce the opening of its programmes shortly, but is welcoming aspiring and existing technopreneurs, corporates and other stakeholders who are interested to get in touch directly through enquire@innovatebrunei.com or +6738651345.
For more information visit innovationlab.com.bn and their social media.
