Aiming to Support 300 Start-ups by 2028, Programme Will Foster Innovation in AI, Space, Smart Cities, and More
SINGAPORE – A new incubator programme launched in Singapore will provide deep tech start-ups with a $50 million fund over the next five years. The National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (Grip), set to begin in January 2025, will help support local researchers and entrepreneurs developing innovations in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), space technologies, smart cities, and semiconductors.
Announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on October 29, 2024, during the Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology (SWITCH), the programme aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and market application. The initiative is designed to help start-ups refine their ideas, validate market needs, and build sustainable business models over a 12-month incubation period.
The National Grip combines two pre-existing incubator programmes from National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), targeting 300 start-ups by 2028 and the spin-off of more than 150 companies by 2030. This marks the first time the National Research Foundation (NRF) has invested funds in incubation programmes managed by both NUS and NTU.
The incubator programme will provide graduates and researchers with the tools to transform their ideas into commercially viable businesses, connecting them with venture capitalists and industry mentors to secure funding and expand networks.
Several successful start-ups have already emerged from the earlier incubators, including NEU Battery Materials (from NUS Grip 2.0), which raised US$3.7 million in seed funding in 2023, and Zero-Error Systems (from NTU’s Lean Launchpad), which raised US$7.5 million in the same year. These companies are pushing forward in sectors like electric vehicle battery recycling and space semiconductor solutions.
The new programme also offers an opportunity for start-ups to expand internationally by leveraging NUS Block71, a globally connected network of innovation hubs. Established in cities like San Francisco, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, and Chongqing, Block71 is central to Singapore’s deep tech start-up ecosystem.
In integrating the best practices from both universities, the National Grip programme aims to accelerate the growth of globally competitive deep tech companies, ensuring that Singapore remains at the forefront of innovation and research.
