As both parties look to drive education of both FinTech and Blockchain programmes for start-ups, as well as act as another key catalyst for the mass adoption of blockchain in Singapore.

Founded by Chia Hock Lai, who is also the president of Singapore FinTech Association, TEA Singapore is an industry-sponsored, self-regulatory organization (SRO) for Singapore’s digital assets industry, specifically cryptocurrencies and tokens, and was founded to add a layer of oversight on digital assets in the form of self-regulation that is important for consumer protection and to ensure the integrity of these markets.

TEA Singapore recently announced in December 2018 their inaugural FinTech Fundamentals Programme (“FFP”) and “FinTech - Blockchain (Beginner)” (FBB), in collaboration with Singapore Polytechnic. The FFP will equip learners with the right set of skills and knowledge in Fintech which is required in the digitalised finance services industry, while learners will also be introduced to various key concepts, business models and technologies relating to Fintech, Big Data, AI, and Cryptocurrency, to name a few. The FBB will equip learners with technical blockchain skills from setting up blockchain systems to coding smart contracts.

The partnership will see Tribe Accelerator share their expertise on venture capitalism as part of the programmes.
“TEA Singapore is pleased to be able to bring Tribe Accelerator onboard as one of the key contributors towards the two training programmes. As Singapore’s first government-backed blockchain accelerator, the expertise that they bring to the programme will be very beneficial to developing the knowledge and expertise of our students, and towards the education of the blockchain, and FinTech industry in Singapore, and the region” said Chia Hock Lai, Chairman of TEA Singapore.

As part of the partnership, members of Tribe Accelerator will serve as mentors, and sit on the judging panel for assessment projects, as well as for the hackathon, which marks the culmination of the FinTech Fundamentals Programme. Promising projects from the hackathon will get an opportunity to advance on to the Tribe Accelerator, Singapore’s first government backed blockchain accelerator, which was recently launched by TRIVE in December 2018.

“Tribe Accelerator is focused on grooming the next generation of start-ups, and partnering with TEA Singapore will provide us with another channel to ensure that we continue to empower young entrepreneurs through education, networking and mentorship” said Ryan Chew, Managing Partner of Tribe Accelerator.

Considered to be one of the world’s foremost FinTech capitals, Singapore has always been receptive towards emerging technologies, and the positive inclination towards FinTech and blockchain bodes well for the industry. The TEA Singapore and Tribe Accelerator partnership aims to help Singapore play a crucial role in shaping the global FinTech and Blockchain landscape, and lead the mass adoption of blockchain technology.

The training programmes will run from February 2019, while Tribe Accelerator will officially kick-off with an invite-only launch event for its incubated companies towards the end of Q1 of 2019.