In partnership with National Research Foundation, Singapore and Enterprise Singapore, up to 40 fellows will receive support, bespoke mentoring and deep immersion in the US market to scale their solutions

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and US-based non-profit Activate will launch a new fellowship programme to support early-stage science and technology entrepreneurs in Singapore.

Announced today by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong at the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH), the new fellowship programme, named Activate Global Fellows – Singapore, will feature a S$12 million commitment to support up to 20 science fellows and 20 co-fellows over the next three years.

This will be funded by National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF) and supported by Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), which will provide founders with potential access to additional funding as well as its extensive network of ecosystem partners – including investors, corporates and infrastructure providers.

Adapted from Activate’s flagship programme in the United States, which has supported nearly 300 fellows since 2015, the Singapore-adapted version marks the organisation’s first international expansion outside of the US.

Hosted by NTU Singapore, the fellowship is open to all Singapore scientists and engineers with early-stage innovations that have the potential for commercial and social impact, who are seeking to build new ventures around these ideas.

It will focus on key deep tech areas such as advanced materials, robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and life sciences, among others.

Fellows will receive a one-year support package, which includes a cash allowance, funding for business growth activities and resources for deep immersion in the US market. They can also nominate one scientific co-founder to be selected as a co-fellow, who can then join the fellowship activities.

Formalised today at SWITCH with a Memorandum of Understanding, the initiative supports Singapore’s national push to grow its deep tech ecosystem through collaborations with Singapore Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), Autonomous Universities (AUs) and research agencies (See Annex A).

NTU Vice President (Innovation and Entrepreneurship), Professor Louis Phee, said: “This new fellowship and partnership with Activate underscores NTU and Singapore’s drive for turning scientific research into real-world impact. By nurturing early-stage science and technology entrepreneurs, we are giving locally funded research a greater chance of commercial success. With more successful start-ups, we can strengthen Singapore’s innovation ecosystem, generate economic value, and contribute to the global development of deep tech.”

Chief Executive Officer of Activate, Dr Cyrus Wadia, said: "Singapore stands out as a global leader in science and technology, combining world-class research with a bold vision for innovation. Through this partnership, we’re excited to empower Singapore’s scientists and engineers to turn their breakthroughs into real-world impact while also creating new bridges between the U.S. and Singapore’s deep-tech communities."

Managing Director of EnterpriseSG, Ms Cindy Khoo, said, “Growing deep tech startups requires a collective, ecosystem effort. We are committed to attracting and anchoring the right partners that can support our science and technology entrepreneurs, and are excited to be partnering with Activate, NTU and NRF on this new programme. Through this, our founders will have access to research excellence, industry mentorship and venture building support, and be more equipped to commercialise their solutions and scale from Singapore.”

Chief Executive Officer of NRF, Mr John Lim, said: “NRF is pleased to support this partnership between Activate and NTU, which combines Activate’s experience, expertise and networks with NTU’s own knowledge and networks to nurture academic entrepreneurs in Singapore. We look forward to seeing many early-stage innovations grow into ventures with lasting economic and societal impact in Singapore and beyond.”

Structured mentorship and deeper immersion in the US

During the one-year fellowship, fellows will participate in monthly programming featuring bespoke coaching based on Activate’s proven methodology, alongside technical and business development workshops and structured mentorship from Activate’s global network of experts.

Fellows will also have key opportunities to engage with investors and industry partners in Singapore and the United States, including two deep immersion visits to the US and a dedicated Founders Day event to connect with venture capitalists and industry leaders.

Since its launch in 2015 at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as Cyclotron Road, and later expanding nationally as Activate Global, the 235 companies supported by Activate have collectively attracted an estimated US$4 billion in follow-on funding (see Annex A).

This new fellowship also supports NTU’s strategic goals in innovation and entrepreneurship, reinforcing its role as a leading research-intensive university driving solutions to address global challenges.

Applications for the first cohort will open in November 2025. Connect with Activate and NTU to learn more (https://www.ntu.edu.sg/innovates).

###



Annex A

Examples of companies that have been supported by Activate Global

Among the most notable successes is Twelve, founded by Etosha Cave and Kendra Kuhl, which converts carbon dioxide into sustainable fuels and materials. It has since raised more than US$600 million and reached a valuation above US$1 billion.

Another example is Fervo Energy, co-founded by Tim Latimer and Jack Norbeck, which recently secured more than US$250 million in funding to advance next-generation geothermal energy solutions.

Other notable Activate alumni include Antora Energy, which is developing advanced thermal energy storage systems, and HOPO Therapeutics, a life sciences firm that recently received a US$226 million grant from the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

Together, these companies demonstrate the impact of the Activate model in turning academic research into commercially successful deep tech ventures with global reach and impact.

Fellowship Working Committee

A working committee has been established for the new fellowship, which includes representatives from the National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Technology and Design, and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research.