Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) has on Wednesday unveiled an expanded suite of initiatives and new partnerships to help Singapore-based startups develop, validate and expand globally from Singapore, further strengthening the nation’s position as a global launchpad for technology and innovation.
This includes an expansion of the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) to support technology testing and validation at Bakar Labs’ R&D facilities in the US, a new accelerator program with Lenovo and a partnership with the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government to strengthen two-way startup expansion between Singapore and Japan, EnterpriseSG said in a statement.
The announcements were made today by Singapore Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng at Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) 2026.
EnterpriseSG said it is expanding the GIA network through a partnership with Bakar Labs, located at the University of California, Berkeley.
This new partnership enables Singapore-based startups to access Bakar Labs’ laboratory facilities, specialized
equipment and technical expertise to test and validate technologies in areas like life sciences and advanced materials.
They will also benefit from mentorship and connections across UC Berkeley and the wider Bay Area innovation network, providing pathways to investors, industry partners and commercialization opportunities in the US.
EnterpriseSG said such access is critical as bringing new technologies to market often requires specialized in-market infrastructure and expertise for testing, validation and localization, which can be costly for early-stage startups.
To address this, EnterpriseSG is expanding GIA to help startups tap overseas R&D and innovation facilities. This will support startups to develop and adapt their technologies to local market needs, accelerate commercialisation and pursue overseas business opportunities.
Eligible startups can receive support of up to 70 percent of qualifying costs, which include the use of facilities and equipment, materials and consumables, access to researchers and technical experts, and relevant business-matching activities.
Beyond the expansion of GIA, EnterpriseSG also launched new partnerships to help startups unlock industry and global market opportunities.
These include EnterpriseSG and Lenovo launched a 24-month Global Accelerator Program to connect selected startups with Lenovo’s global R&D teams, solutions and services capabilities, and enterprise customers to support the deployment and scaling of deep-tech solutions.
The program will support startups across areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and advanced materials, helping them validate their technologies in real-world environments, integrate their solutions into enterprise workflows and progress from proof-of-concept to customer pilots.
By leveraging Lenovo’s experience deploying AI in complex, mission-critical settings, startups can strengthen enterprise readiness and accelerate go-to-market efforts through Lenovo’s global networks.
EnterpriseSG and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government also signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen innovation and startup ecosystem collaboration between Singapore and Tokyo, as both countries commemorate 60
years of diplomatic relations.
The partnership aims to strengthen startup exchanges and market access between Singapore and Tokyo through reciprocal immersion programs, business connections and ecosystem collaboration. It will support Singapore startups seeking to expand into Japan, while enabling Japanese startups to leverage Singapore as a launchpad into regional and global markets.
By deepening connections between both innovation ecosystems, the partnership also reinforces Singapore’s position as a globally connected innovation hub.
“Singapore startups must be able to turn strong innovations into businesses that compete globally. Our partnerships with Lenovo and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the addition of UC Berkeley’s Bakar Labs to the Global Innovation Alliance, will open more doors to the expertise, industry networks and customers they need to grow,
“These connections will help our startups refine their technologies, build commercial relationships and navigate new markets, accelerating their growth from Singapore to the world.” said EnterpriseSG Assistant Managing Director of Innovation Emily Liew.
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