Frequently Asked Questions

 SGInnovate’s Infinity (∞) Series is a Deep Tech Immersion Programme that seeks to groom top multi-disciplinary Talent through cumulative placements across different technical areas such as Software Development, Data Engineering, Data Analytics, UI / UX design, Product Management etc.   

Infinity Series offers talent the breadth to explore varied technical roles and product development stages to broaden their understanding of how innovation is translated into reality. Their industry experience will be supplemented by modular training curated by SGInnovate alongside industry experts. Students are encouraged to re-join Infinity Series and take up different internships to grow holistically across the 4  key pillars in the product development lifecycle.  

Hence, aside from strong technical skills, start-ups can expect returning Infinity Series Talent to possess competencies across these 4 areas, which will be advantageous in helping start-ups accelerate their product development at different stages.  

Your organisation should meet all the following criteria: 

• Proof of financial stability with supporting financial statements 

• A minimum of five (5) employees, and a total number of employees not exceeding 100  

• Startups should have completed seed stage of fundraising, but have yet to pursue Series C funding. For co-funding level, refer to Q12. 

• Incorporated for more than a year at the point of application 

• Nature of the business or projects that the talent will be supporting on must be in Deep Tech areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, IoT, Robotics, Quantum, etc. 

• Ability to offer opportunities between 3 — 6 months in core functions such as Software Development, Data Engineering, Data Analytics, UI / UX design, and Product Management, which support the Deep Tech nature of the business/projects 

• Ability to provide experienced mentor(s) to guide the talent 

By participating in the Infinity Series, Deep Tech startups or organisations with Deep Tech projects can gain motivated talent with diverse competencies that elevate their teams, while benefitting from SGInnovate’s co-funding support.   

Conversely, the Infinity Series provides students with exposure to Deep Tech projects and opportunities to develop their technical capabilities which would boost their employability when they graduate. The programme provides new opportunities for organisations and talent to explore a deeper long-term working relationship in the future as well. 

In addition, organisations will also benefit from:  

• Honing the leadership and mentoring skills of their tech leads 

• Opportunities to meet potential talent in SGInnovate’s networking sessions  

• Networking and brand awareness opportunities via SGInnovate’s Deep Tech events 

Please refer to the timeline on the website under Infinity Series Programme. No submissions will be accepted after the stipulated deadline. 

The role of the mentor is to provide our talent guidance and feedback throughout the programme while acting as an industry role model to provide professional insights.  While there are certain structures in place (e.g mid & end-programme review), mentors have the flexibility to design the mentoring experience and developmental goals for their mentee. 

The mentor needs to curate a developmental competency journey that the talent can expect to be exposed to during his / her internship. The exposure will be in line with the 4 pillars of the product development lifecycle:  

1. Technical Exposure 

2. Product Exposure 

3. Business Exposure 

4. Soft Skills Exposure 

The mentor should: 

• Have at least five (5) years of strong technical experience and two (2) years of mentoring experience 

• Be able to commit to the full programme period and programme requirements such as attending mid-programme reviews 

• Be invested in the development of the talent through regular check-in’s/ engagements sessions.  

Organisations can expect applicants of all nationalities who are students currently pursuing a Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree from a local or overseas Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL). 

Applicants must be based in Singapore and have demonstrated interest and knowledge in Software Development, Data Engineering, Data Analytics, UI / UX design or Product Management. Do note that co-funding of monthly stipends will  only be eligible for applicants who are Singaporeans and PRs. 

The programme duration ranges from 3 – 6 months with a minimum commitment of 3 months full-time. Actual duration of programme may vary based on role requirements and talent’s availability.  

A combination of full-time and part-time arrangements may be considered to help meet the minimum commitment of 3 months full-time combined (subjected to SGInnovate’s approval). 

Organisations are encouraged to continue working and developing the talent beyond the duration of the programme and possibly even converting them to full-time employees upon their graduation. Any arrangement after the stipulated duration is out of the programme scope. Your organisation is free to liaise directly with the talent. Any arrangement or agreement made would be between both parties only, and not associated with SGInnovate. 

Organisations are required to pay for all costs upfront and will be reimbursed monthly for items co-funded under the Infinity Series.  

The monthly stipend for each Talent is S$2,000 regardless of academic qualifications and it is CPF exempted.  

Co-funding from SGInnovate will be applicable up to a maximum of 6 months and co-funding rate will be dependent on the scale of the organisation (refer to Q12). Please note that there is no co-funding for foreigners. 

Co-funded items under the Infinity Series 

1  The Infinity award will be reimbursed to the organisations on a monthly basis. 

2 Modular trainings are curated by SGInnovate with local IHLs to support the development of the Talent. Training fees are payable by startups, with a 50% co-funding capped at $500 per Talent (for SC/PR). No co-funding is available for foreigners hence, startups will bear all training costs ranging from S$900 to S$2,000. 

SGInnovate will review and shortlist the projects that meet the programme requirements. The projects are selected based on the type of technology, the exposure and development opportunities offered, and quality of the mentorship provided by each organisation. SGInnovate reserves all rights to select the projects offered for the Infinity Series. 

Organisations can submit up to 3 projects onto the Infinity Series and each project will be allowed to onboard a maximum of 2 talent.  

Organisations should have a clear scope for each of the projects being offered and/or how the project supports the organisation’s product development.  

Upon signing the partnership agreement between your organisation and SGInnovate, SGInnovate would get in touch with you to understand your selection requirements (including any technical assessment details) and publicise the projects for students to apply. 

There are three stages: 

• Stage 1: SGInnovate will review all applications and shortlist those who meet the basic requirements as  specified in the project(s) 

• Stage 2: Shortlisted applicants will go through technical and cognitive (General Reasoning) assessments  

• Stage 3: Organisations will conduct interviews with shortlisted applicants   

Applicants may apply and interview for multiple projects. In the event an applicant receives multiple offers, their preferences will be considered during the matching process. SGInnovate's decision is final. 

Once an applicant accepts the organisation’s offer, an agreement between the organisation and the talent must be signed within three (3) working days. More information on this agreement will be shared later with the selected organisations. 

Start dates are flexible and should be agreed upon between the organisation and the talent prior to signing the agreement.  

Talent are required to complete feedback forms, training logs, attend planned training workshops and participate in event(s) related to the programme. Organisations should support and encourage them to participate in these activities.  

Organisations will also have to send relevant personnel to attend a reimbursement briefing prior to the start of the programme to understand the reimbursement process. 

Mentors will need to attend a briefing prior to the start of the program and complete online feedback forms and/or review sessions during the programme.   

Organisations are expected to pay the monthly award amount and stipend agreed to the talent.  Reimbursement claims should be submitted every month. Monies will be disbursed to organisations after 6 weeks upon successful submission of all accurate documentations.