Fund launched for creators of GIST services

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) today launched the GeoInnovation Fund to spur innovation through the use of Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST).

Geospatial information is used to identify movement patterns, areas of activity, and spatial relationships between people and the environment. This allows for better understanding of issues as diverse as healthcare, environment, marketing and real estate.

Earlier this year, the Restroom Association of Singapore (RAS) launched a mobile app called LOO Connect for the public to locate clean toilets and to give feedback on the state of public toilets here.

The app, which seeks to encourage socially responsible behaviour amongst users of public loos, uses OneMap for crowdsourcing and geospatial information.

The GeoInnovation Fund is for those who are keen on developing creative geospatial applications and services. Students, application developers and start-up entrepreneurs who have an avid interest in the design and creation of geospatial applications and services can apply for the fund.

Others who wish to submit their ideas on how GIST can be used to benefit the society and the economy may also apply for up to $50,000 worth of funding per project.

Proposals submitted will be evaluated based on factors such as innovativeness, sustainability and feasibility of the solutions, with innovation being a key factor in the evaluation, SLA said in a press release.

Applications can be submitted via www.sla.gov.sg.

ljessica@sph.com.sg