Securing a steady pipeline of customers is pivotal for international tech companies trying to break into new markets. However, the absence of a proven local track record often prevents these companies from substantiating their product value amidst fast-growing competition, hindering their market entry.
What Singapore’s IMDA Accreditation does is allow high-growth tech companies to place their products on a fast lane to gain accreditation from Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
Besides getting accredited, firms successfully accepted into the programme get a leg up in winning customers by being directly positioned as qualified contenders for government and large enterprise projects. As of Mar 2022, these accredited companies can tap into some SG$814 million worth of public and private sector project opportunities.
Let’s look at how companies such as enterprise AI DataRobot and inspection software firm Screening Eagle have used the IMDA Accreditation programme to gain a foothold in Southeast Asia.
How DataRobot Managed to Distinguish Itself
Headquartered in Boston, DataRobot specialises in AI and Machine Learning technology, providing solutions to address businesses' demand for integrated and productive AI capabilities across different fields of work.
Like most other startups, DataRobot faced challenges in terms of building awareness of its platform and differentiating itself in Singapore’s market, says Simon Brender, Regional Vice President Asia.
Being part of the IMDA Accreditation programme opened up new opportunities for DataRobot. By showcasing its solutions at IMDA’s key events and workshops, the startup could highlight the versatility of its products to potential clients across a wide range of industries.
The programme also set up introductions with large government and enterprise organisations and simultaneously promoted the business benefits of DataRobot’s data democratisation to these clients. The result: DataRobot secured a healthy pipeline of public and private sector projects.
