Did you know that the founders of Carousell, Carro and Secretlab had their roots right here in Ngee Ann Polytechnic? This is why it’s no secret that we are known as the polytechnic for budding innovators and entrepreneurs!
The Sandbox (TSB) @ NP is committed to sparking the flames of entrepreneurial passion amongst our students and alumni community. TSB is the one-stop resource centre for our next generation of trailblazers, with its repertoire of signature programmes,
funding initiatives, incubator spaces and industry partnerships.
If you have a compelling business idea, we will provide you with mentorship and guidance to give you the boost you need. Explore our vibrant and thriving I&E ecosystem here in NP!
From concept to reality, we are here to journey with you as you bring your ideas to life. The Sandbox offers three spaces that are designed to inspire and challenge you.
AGILE
AGILE
AGILE is a nexus for students, start-ups, and industry to meet and mingle through curated programmes. It is operated by technology and intelligent space design to enable Intelligent Operations, Workplace
of the Future and Digital Campus life.
It boasts a large space and includes Hangout@UOB, a social space for students and start-ups for discussions and collaborations.
Our alumni start-ups will have access to mentorship, co-working stations, support services and training programmes.
SPARK!
SPARK!
SPARK! is NP’s newest student entrepreneurship space, completely ideated, conceptualised and designed by students, for students! The space is designed to groom budding student entrepreneurs, with dedicated rooms to house student startups and a line-up of programmes.
Whether you are pursuing a Minor in Entrepreneurship through the Personalised Learning Pathway programme, working on your business idea, or meeting with a mentor on your business proposal, you can use the facilities available in SPARK!
Makers’ Academy
Makers’ Academy
Need some help building your first prototype? Roll up your sleeves and bring your product ideas to life through 3D printing or laser cutting – all at Makers’ Academy,
our amazing campus lab at Blk 56 Level 1!
Consider taking your business to the next level? Pollinate is a joint initiative of polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) that is intended to promote I&E by helping alumni build their businesses by providing an inclusive and supportive environment within the vibrant JTC LaunchPad @ one-north, to help founders navigate and scale up. To find out more about Pollinate, visit this website.
Funding
The financial commitment behind starting a business can be rather daunting. That’s why we offer the Kickstart Fund and NP Incubator Grant to help our students and alumni hit the ground running for their business ideas.
Kickstart Fund
Kickstart Fund
Whether you have an elaborate business plan or just an idea that you’re unsure of how to get started, we’re here to listen. Arrange a business consultation with us at AskTSB@np.edu.sg and get to know the steps you can take to turn your dream
business idea into a reality.
NP Incubator Grant
NP Incubator Grant
Your journey with us doesn’t stop after you graduate. Be your own boss upon graduation with support through our Incubator Grant! Our start-up companies receive many benefits, ranging from being paired with a business mentor to networking opportunities with potential investors, as well as a grant of up to S$10,000.
Startup SG Founder Grant
Startup SG Founder Grant
Get ready to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey with the Startup SG Founder Grant that provides funding as well as mentorship! The grant provides first-time entrepreneurs with financial support valued at S$50,000, with S$20,000 co-matched by the applicant.
Need a little guidance along the way on how to prep for your grants/funds? Reach out to the TSB team at AskTSB@np.edu.sg to get your questions answered!
Key Programmes
Wherever you may be in your entrepreneurial journey, these are the programmes we have lined up to give you that boost.
Minor in Entrepreneurship
Minor in Entrepreneurship
Kickstart your enterprising dreams and graduate with a Minor in Entrepreneurship with our Personalised Learning Pathway! Simply pursue Learning Units under the Entrepreneurship Pathway outside of your core curriculum. Learn the ropes of starting a business and complete 3 Learning Units to graduate with a Minor in Entrepreneurship on top of your diploma.
Be Your Own Boss
Be Your Own Boss
With NP’s “Be Your Own Boss” (BYOB) competition, students can submit and pitch their café business proposal and stand the chance to secure a S$5,000 grant from our Kickstart Fund! Winners of the competition get a spot on campus
to set up a cafe so they can start serving their first customers – the NP fam!
Entrepreneurship First Steps
Entrepreneurship First Steps
Entrepreneurship First Steps or EFS is a fully online course for prospective and current NP students on learning more about the intricacies of starting a business, and jumpstarting your entrepreneurial dreams! If you have an existing business or minimum viable product (MVP), our Accelerator Programme will prepare you well for the next stage of your business venture.
PolyFinTech 100 API Hackathon
PolyFinTech 100 API Hackathon
The PolyFinTech 100 API Hackathon is a joint initiative by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the 5 polytechnics. Organized by PolyFinTech 100,
it is an inter-poly competition aimed at nurturing our FinTech talent. Working in teams, students get to propose ideas and develop FinTech prototypes using Open APIs from the industry to address real-world challenges. Finalists get to showcase their
ideas at the annual Singapore Fintech Festival.
Innopoly
Innopoly
Innopoly is NP’s annual I&E festival for young changemakers! If you are a current or aspiring student innovator, you won’t want to miss this programme that is packed with fireside chats, interviews and panel discussions with successful
homegrown entrepreneurs! Look forward to our InnoBazaar, which brings together up and coming NP student entrepreneurs to showcase (and sell) products!
TSB Advocates
TSB Advocates
The TSB Advocates are a team of students who aspire to promote and cultivate the I&E culture all around Singapore! Through participating in hackathons and organising key events such as ideaSLAM! and TEDxYouth, our TSB Advocates are world-ready critical
thinkers with the passion to change the world. Find out more about the TSB Advocates today!
Go Global
Get the chance to go on rewarding internships with exciting start-ups in the world’s leading innovation hubs.
Go Global
Go Global
Our students have interned in more than 10 global cities - Silicon Valley, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Shanghai, London and even Helsinki! For six months to a year, experience working in exciting start-ups, receive business mentorship and build your network with founders and the global business community! You’ll also get to participate in the Global Start-up Challenge, fireside chats and learning journeys. If you want to dive into the fast-paced start-up culture as a student, GEIP is perfect for you! Visit the GEIP site here.
I&E Legacy
In recognition of their ever-growing success, we have launched two editions of “Those Who Dared” – an inspiring collection of stories about our alumni’s continuous efforts in charting their startup journeys. Check out the digital
copies below.
