CAN you tell me more about the First Mover Advantage Scheme? How does it work? Will it protect my business idea from being copied?
The First Mover Advantage Framework was introduced to encourage the development of innovative business ideas that optimise the use of state land, buildings, public parks and other government assets.
This scheme does not prevent or protect your business ideas from being copied.
This scheme is open to everyone, including Singapore citizens, permanent residents, foreigners, small and medium-sized enterprises, multinational companies, and foreign businesses.
An 'innovative business idea' is an idea that:
- Has not been suggested before previously; or
- Has been suggested before, but has not been actively considered by a public agency in the last 12 months
Examples of innovative business ideas that have been given the First Mover Advantage include:
- Advertising on table-tops of hawker centres;
- A centre devoted to building sandcastles at East Coast Park; and
- An environmental hub at Pulau Ubin.
If your idea qualifies and a public agency agrees to implement the idea, you will get one or both of the following advantages:
- Allocation advantage. The public asset is allocated to you on favourable terms; for example, you do not have to tender to use the asset for a fixed trial period.
- Price advantage. You get to use the public asset at below market rates; for example, a discount on the rental for state land.
You can submit your business idea at www.firstmover.gov.sg
For SME-related enquiries, please visit EnterpriseOne at www.business.gov.sg or e-mail enterpriseone@spring.gov.sg.
