- The Urban SustaInnovator (USI) was launched by the Minister for National
Development at the 12th edition of SMU’s Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan
Competition (LKYGBPC) to nurture promising urban solutions and sustainabilityfocused
startups - Backed by a public-private consortium that connects startups to global networks, the
USI is designed to boost Singapore’s role as Asia’s gateway for deep tech startups
while boosting local talent development for innovation and entrepreneurship - The selection process is highly competitive with the initial cohort comprising seven
startups picked from 1,500 startups from 91 countries
Singapore, 25 February 2025 (Wednesday) – Singapore Management University (SMU) today announced the first batch of seven startup selected to join its deep tech accelerator programme – Urban SustaInnovator (USI), Singapore’s first global accelerator programme dedicated to scaling and anchoring breakthrough solutions in the urban solutions and sustainability space.
First launched at SMU’s Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) last September by Mr Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’ Minister for National Development, the USI is hosted by SMU’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) and is dedicated to the development of top-tier urban and sustainability-focused startups worldwide.
The inaugural cohort attended the first of four quarterly deep-dive sessions for the accelerator programme. The startups were selected from past LKYGBPC finalists, and the frontier innovations that they are developing include self-healing concrete, nanotechnology-enabled photosynthesis for increasing farming yields, fully circular plastics made without carbon emissions and airless wheels based on space technology. (Please refer to Annex 2 for more details.)
Professor Lim Sun Sun, SMU’s Vice President of Partnerships and Engagement, and Chair of the USI Programme Management Committee, welcomed the founders of the seven startups and their mentors to the two-day session held at SMU. She said, “The Urban SustaInnovator reinforces SMU’s commitment to driving innovations that transform lives. Together, we’ll look to foster global talent, elevate knowledge in Singapore’s workforce, and catalyse ground-breaking solutions that address today’s pressing climate problems.”
“With S$40 million of investment recently announced by the Ministry of National Development (MND) and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) in developing, piloting and commercialising promising urban and sustainability solutions, Singapore is becoming a dynamic global Deep Tech gateway to Asia,” she added.
The USI programme is the first global accelerator housed in Singapore dedicated to scaling and anchoring breakthrough solutions in the urban and sustainability space. This 12-month hybrid, non-residential programme is open to urban and sustainability-focused startups globally. The USI convenes a strong network of venture capitalists, R&D experts, corporates and regulators who offer in-kind support and mentorship to promising startups. Participants receive structured guidance on fundraising, market access, and R&D as they build and launch their ventures. Backed by a robust public-private consortium, this zero-equity, zero-fee programme is supported by A*STAR, Antler, Building Construction Authority, Energy Market Authority, ST Engineering, The GEAR by Kajima, TRIREC, and Wavemaker Partners.
Professor Lim also noted that the USI complements initiatives such as the National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (National GRIP), collectively establishes a trusted ecosystem across Asia, and convenes high-potential deep tech startups with sustainability, technology, and business partners across universities worldwide.
How USI accelerates startup growth
At the outset of the programme, startups define clear 12-month growth milestones. Each startup is paired with a dedicated Lead Mentor drawn from USI’s consortium of business, scientific, and government leaders, ensuring continuity and tailored guidance. Beyond one-to-one mentorship, USI curates targeted support and access that address the unique needs of each startup. This includes access to investors and industry partners for pilot deployment, support for scaling in Singapore and across Asia, and accreditation for fast-tracked commercialisation.
Participants can expand their networks across Asia, particularly in markets where SMU has a local presence, such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, opening doors for greater collaboration and regional exposure.
Startups can also tap into SMU’s talent initiatives, such as the Global Innovation Immersion programme, to support their early resourcing needs as they begin their expansion into Asia through the USI.
SMU has a strong track record of supporting startups focused on sustainability. The university’s flagship LKYGBPC was first organised in 2002 as a platform for startup scouting and international roadshows. Over 23 years, it has evolved into a comprehensive support and mentorship programme for next-generation founders, reinforcing SMU’s role as a launchpad for global deep-tech startups in Singapore.
In addition, nearly 40 per cent of startups from SMU IIE’s incubator, the Business Innovations Generator, have focused on addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals and advancing sustainability innovation. In the past five years, these startups have collectively raised over S$875 million.
For more information on the USI, please visit https://iie.smu.edu.sg/usi
Enclosures (see attached PDF):
• Annex 1 - Chinese translation of titles and terms
• Annex 2 - Startups selected for the first cohort of the Urban SustaInnovator
• Annex 3 - Quotes from the partners of the Urban SustaInnovator