The Brunei Innovation Lab (BIL) has supported the creation of 15 startups that are currently prototyping and commercialising digital solutions for key industry players.
Since its establishment two years ago, BIL has organised nearly 80 innovation-focused activities, attracting over 1,411 participants and generating 53 new solutions through Brunei’s biggest hackathons under Innovate Challenge and Startup 673.
Speaking at BIL’s anniversary event on September 21, Chairperson Hj Md Shahnoel Hj Md Noeh said their strategic founding partnership between Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), Shell LiveWIRE Brunei, DST Digital (DST), and Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) would continue to champion linkages between industry problems with entrepreneur-led digital solutions.
“We are not just responding to individual requests but connecting the dots across sectors, allowing startups to address the needs of multiple industries in one place,” he said at BIL’s headquarters on the second floor of the Knowledge Hub (kHUB).
“This reduces barriers to entry—whether through capacity building, access to expertise, or industry connections.”
Online learning platform for foundational digital literacy
BIL also launched its new online learning platform KLIQ, designed to build foundational digital literacy among Bruneians through simplified content with localised angles, covering emerging technologies including AI, IoT and blockchain.
BIL General Manager Md Saiful Azzam Hj Sarpudin explained that KLIQ aims to educate the wider community on essential digital knowledge, as the lab seeks to build a comprehensive digital ecosystem from general awareness up to specialised training and support for international expansion.
“The KLIQ platform—both the website and mobile app—is a user-friendly tool designed to engage and gauge user interest in digital technology trends. It offers bite-sized knowledge and up-to-date content to foster a learning culture and a digitally literate mindset,” he said.
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications YB Pg Dato Seri Setia Shamhary Pg Dato Paduka Hj Mustapha commended BIL’s role in advancing the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025 but acknowledged that the nation still faces challenges in its digital transformation.
He noted Brunei’s recent progress, including a five-spot rise in the 2023 Global Innovation Index, where the country now ranks 87 out of 132 economies. However greater progress is needed in areas like innovation outputs—such as creative and technological advancements—and market sophistication.
Referring to findings from the 2022 digital innovation profile by Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry and the International Telecommunication Union, the minister highlighted the recommendations to promote entrepreneurial culture further, strengthen digital networks, and boost platforms that support innovation and technology readiness.
“The Brunei Innovation Lab plays a critical role in addressing these gaps, transforming strong inputs like education and digital infrastructure into impactful outputs that generate long-term economic and societal benefits,” he said.
“By providing a dedicated space for experimentation, learning, and collaboration, BIL has empowered startups and entrepreneurs to turn ideas into reality, demonstrating the value of public-private partnerships in tackling today’s challenges.”
