SINGAPORE - A new government-owned organisation which will support science and deep-technology start-ups was officially launched on Tuesday (Nov 22).

Called SGInnovate, it will connect entrepreneurs with industry mentors, venture capitalists and research talent. It was created as part of Budget 2016, along with a S$4.5 billion plan to develop innovation and robotics.

Areas of focus include digital health, financial services, smart energy, digital manufacturing and robotics among others.

The unit will be under the purview of the National Research Foundation.

Founding chief executive officer Steve Leonard said SGInnovate aims to do more to boost technology-based innovation here.

SGInnovate's six-storey facility in Carpenter Street is home to engineers and research scientists from McLaren Applied Technologies, NVIDIA and Ethereum among others.

Academics and students from Singapore universities will also be able to take advantage of the community at SGInnovate to develop ideas in the deep tech and science space.