JFDI’s Singapore operation is relocating to BASH at Block 79 @ one-north. The move will start this week, with migration expected to complete by mid-July, in time for JFDI’s next Accelerate program to kick off in August.
Many of JFDI’s resident mentors and investors have also committed to join JFDI to add to the vibrant community already at BASH, Singapore’s biggest integrated startup space.
BASH (Build Amazing Startups Here) is an initiative driven by Infocomm Investments Pte Ltd (IIPL) that aims to congregate members and partners of the tech building community across the entire value chain – from accelerators, investors, incubators to entrepreneurs – all under one roof.
Hugh Mason, Co-founder and CEO of JFDI.Asia, said: “We have always said that ‘Community is JFDI’s secret sauce and everything else is open source’. We were offered the chance to stay on at our current location and to move into several other very attractive spaces in the CBD but BASH will connect us closer to a larger pool of people, with much more space, and great facilities. We can include more of the community in our events, spreading out then contracting as our programs come and go. Plus we hand over responsibility for fixing the aircon and running a café to others – so that will give our team more time to focus on where we really add value – helping startups.”
In 2011 JFDI became one of the first occupants of Block 71 when SingTel Innov8 and NUS Enterprise loaned space to run the region’s first accelerator program. At the time there was no MRT station and very limited catering and community facilities in One North. So, JFDI opened a co-working café and began holding an Open House event every Friday to introduce innovators, investors and mentors to each other. To date JFDI has run nearly 200 of these events, introducing thousands of people residing in and visiting Singapore to the entrepreneurial ecosystem here.
“They agreed to paint it green. I had to say yes!”
Dr Alex Lin, Head of IIPL, said: “We have set up BASH with the purpose of providing a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs, investors and accelerators to come together, spur new ideas and create exciting innovations. We are happy to provide the much-needed space for our accelerator partners to mentor and build quality Singapore-based tech start-ups. The tightly-knitted network and community at BASH will prove beneficial to early-stage founders and help pivot their products towards tackling important global challenges.”
With its move to BASH and the plethora of new Food and Beverage outlets in one-north, JFDI’s café will close at the end of July. However, the Open House tradition will continue at BASH with JFDI hosting anyone interested in innovation from 6pm every Friday except public holidays.
