<article>J<a href="http://ww.jtc.gov.sg/RealEstateSolutions/.../JTC_LaunchPad_one-north.aspx" target="_blank">TC LaunchPad</a> @ one-north, the Singapore startup venture cluster located at Ayer Rajah Crescent, is planning to expand again.</article>

J<a href="http://ww.jtc.gov.sg/RealEstateSolutions/.../JTC_LaunchPad_one-north.aspx" target="_blank">TC LaunchPad</a> @ one-north, the Singapore startup venture cluster located at Ayer Rajah Crescent, is planning to expand again.
Unlike the San Francisco expansion, slated for later this year, this expansion will be a local one, aimed at expanding capacity. The LaunchPad plans to house approximately 750 startups by 2017, an increase from the current 500 (as of Januay 2015, double the 250 startup ventures in 201).
Also Read: <a style="color: #ff0000;" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/jtcs-block-71-takes-root-san-francisco/" target="_blank">JTC’s Block 71 takes root in San Francisco</a>
Launchpad is a collaboration between <a href="http://www.jtc.gov.sg/" target="_blank">JTC Corporation</a> and <a href="http://www.spring.gov.sg/" target="_blank">SPRING Singapore</a>, respectively a government-linked corporation (GLC) and statutory board/government agency in charge of industrial development and economic growth respectively.
Announced at the official opening of LaunchPad, this week, which was attended by the Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, Block 71 is already a vibrant place housing entrepreneurs, startup incubators and investors. This expansion will grant additional meeting rooms, offices and event spaces, an enlarged eating space, recreational sports facilities and two new blocks with offices.
Future Expansion
Currently, Block 79 will host a business concierge, run by the recently privatised Action Community for Entrepreneurship (<a href="http://www.ace.sg/" target="_blank">ACE</a>) &#8211;  an organisation promoting entrepreneurship. This concierge acts as a guide for visitors seeking introductions to the ecosystem or establishing a venture in Singapore and is supported by SPRING Singapore staff.
Also Read:  <a style="color: #ff0000;" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/iipl-launches-200m-tech-startup-fund/" target="_blank">IDA’s $200m fund to attract US startups to SG</a>
Three more buildings planned for the future are Block 77 in 2016, Block 75 and 81 launching in 2017. High demand from startup ventures is anticipated. Prior to its official opening, the current LaunchPad had 90 per cent of its space filled.
The next LaunchPad, with its main focus on clean tech, is in close proximity to <a href="http://www.ntu.edu.sg/" target="_blank">Nanyang Technological University (NTU)</a>. Already being planned, it’ll leverage on the expertise of research experts from NTU and the practical experience available at neighbouring industrial parks and businesses.
Prime minister (PM) Lee explained “Our part as the government is to try to make your role starting up businesses easier and more hassle-free. For example, not having to run around finding space to rent, find mentors, or access to financing, so that you can concentrate on building the best product and service.”
The Method, The Madness
The Singapore government is known for <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2015/jan/07/singapore-building-india-city-andhra-pradesh" target="_blank">leading city-building projects abroad</a>, with a history of spearheading the development of industrial estate in China, India and Vietnam, potentially translating to lucrative projects for local tech companies.
Establishing links in different startup ecosystems enhances the chances of startup ventures to function as a global companies, expanding to markets where consumers have greater purchasing power. It’ll also enable Singaporean entrepreneurs to tap on the expertise of the world’s top tech companies and investment firms, enhancing opportunities and expanding the scope for future business opportunities via such projects.
The space connects government, academia and private sector entities in an inter-linked web of mutual interest and benefit.  It is designed to grow as a self-sustaining start ecosystem like Silicon Valley &#8211; a reflection of earlier times in Silicon Valley.
According to <a style="color: #000080;" href="http://techcrunch.com/2014/07/04/the-government-once-built-silicon-valley/">TechCrunch</a> and <a style="color: #000080;" href="http://www.inc.com/eric-schurenberg/inconvenient-history-of-silicon-valley.html">Inc</a>, it’s government contracts that established the foundation for the highly competitive and self-sustaining startup ecosystem that’s held as the benchmark and gold standard for others around the world.
Whether history can repeat itself remains to be seen, but the Singapore government (especially when it comes to economic policies and strategies) is know to succeed, more often than not.

Singapore's JTC LaunchPad plans further expansion

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