The Media Development Authority (MDA) has awarded five new media projects with a total funding of $7.6 million.
These projects, ranging from development of games to media-rich learning, are expected to create 300 new jobs in the local media sector.
"The selected projects strengthen Singapore's goal to be a leader in the new media sector. Our support will help the companies scale up their international exposure significantly.
"These projects will in turn support some 200 companies to help build the new media ecosystem. This funding initiative complements MDA's ongoing effort to support innovative content development and research and development in Interactive Digital Media (IDM)." said Mr Michael Yap, Deputy CEO, MDA.
Companies awarded the grants welcomed the funds from MDA.
Mr Eric Berthier, CEO of Popular e-Learning Holdings, said, "In light of the present economic climate, the funding from MDA will help Popular defray some of the business risks associated with these new media initiatives and allow Popular to be more ambitious in our development and marketing regionally."
Popular e-Learning Holdings is embarking on new media initiatives that will allow education and media buyers access to digital content of Singapore education and media companies.
Another new media education product, KooBits, is a platform for children to create interactive stories, publish e-books and network with other KooBits users.
The five projects also includes two games - Fresbo, a virtual 3D world with about 340,000 players, and BotsLIFE, a web-based platform that allows users to create robotic toy movement in a virtual game environment.
Glocal, an IPTV (television service delivered using Internet protocol) application, allows users to customise their own TV "channel" from various cable, satellite, and web video platforms.
The five projects were selected from 26 proposals submitted to MDA in response to its call for new media applications and services projects.
The MDA hopes to propel local companies with innovative new media services, applications and business models into the global market.
