As countries battle against the growing worldwide crisis related to the COVID-19 virus, technology companies are stepping up to the plate.

Singapore has always been known to nurture the local start-up ecosystem and help early-stage companies through their infancy when there was minimal private capital going around. It would appear that we are reaping the rewards of this well thought long-term strategy.

Ascent Solutions, a local start-up known for its IoT-enabled sensors built to track, trace, and monitor physical assets in over 20 countries, is developing solutions to effectively contain the virus and securely facilitate essential services.

Ascent founded by Singaporean CK Lim, an IoT expert, and serial entrepreneur, raised its first round in 2012 led by Seeds Capital, the investment arm of Enterprise Singapore. Over the years, Enterprise Singapore has worked closely with Ascent to commercialise and expand its solutions across the world. In fact, PM Lee Hsien Loong singled out Ascent for praise and its work in Africa during his National Day Rally Speech in 2016.

Now, as the nation-state gradually opens after the two-month “circuit breaker” period, keeping community transmission rates low and stable is crucial to reopening of the economy. Ascent’s IoT solutions can help with (i) secure monitoring of vehicles transporting critical supplies, (ii) assurance that quarantine measures are being successfully implemented; and (iii) IoT-powered biometric thermal scanning to quickly identify at-risk persons.

This is just one of the many examples on how the long-nurtured technology talent in Singapore can aid in the Covid-19 battle. GovTech Singapore has launched a range of technology tools including a machine learning-enabled chatbot and community-driven contact tracing mobile application.

The emergency phase of the pandemic is drawing to a close. The response has largely been reactionary to this point and each government did what they could. However, the longer reopening phase of the pandemic or the “new normal” calls for a proactive and considered approach with technology as the bedrock. The stakes have never been higher.

Shauraya Bhutani - VP - North Ridge Partners

Disclaimer: NRP may have existing business relationships or may seek to do business in the future with the companies mentioned in this post.