Singapore – In an initiative aimed at bridging funding gaps in the local Interactive Digital Media (IDM) sector, IDM start-ups and companies will get a boost in their search for more investment with the launch of i.MATCH. This was announced by RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, senior minister of state for education and information, communications and the arts at the i.JAM Networking Session organised by the multi-agency Interactive Digital Media Research and Development Programme Office (IDMPO) which is hosted by the Media Development Authority (MDA). iMATCH helps to raise the investment needed to give IDM companies the extra push to further commercialise their products and grow their companies. This is done by first exposing selected companies to a rigorous programme consisting of an intensive business plan and investor presentation master class, one-on-one business plan improvement meetings and personal coaching sessions. The selected companies will then be given the chance to pitch their projects to venture capitalists (VC) and other potential investors. On top of private investment, these companies will also qualify for R&D grants from IDMPO or co-investment in their projects by SPRING SEEDS Capital of SPRING Singapore. Michael Yap, executive director, IDMPO said, “In 2007, we supported many innovative IDM start-ups and companies, and some of them are coming of age and seeking investment for further growth. i.MATCH builds upon the work done by stimulating entry of more private investment and capital into the sector and helps to facilitate the investment process.”