Anchoring Global Innovation in Urban Solutions & Sustainability 

Urban SustaInnovator is Singapore’s first global accelerator dedicated to scaling breakthrough solutions for Urban Solutions and Sustainability  challenges. Launched by Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship it unites leading public, private, and philanthropic partners to turn bold ideas into real-world impact. We exist to bridge global startup talent with Singapore’s innovation ecosystem, accelerating the growth of high-potential ventures in Urban Sustainability. By providing access to deep expertise, capital, industry partners, and mentorship, we help founders transform their visionary ideas into scalable, impactful solutions

Sectors/Areas that We Are Interested In


Climate Tech
Carbon Tech
Energy Transition
Green Building & Construction
Sustainable Materials & Circularity
Urban Mobility & Solutions
Emerging Tech


Our Partners

We are powered by a consortium of Singapore’s leading institutions, combining strengths across science, technology, capital markets, and industry.


Capital Market Partners


Antler

Global early-stage VC and venture builder backing founders from day one. 


TRIREC

TRIREC is a global investor focused on decarbonization, backing early-stage technologies across energy, mobility, buildings, industries, and food.


Wavemaker Ventures

Southeast Asia's leading VC firm investing in and building solutions in enterprise, deep tech, and sustainability.


Operating Partners


ST Engineering

Global technology, defence and engineering group with a diverse portfolio of businesses across the aerospace, smart city, defence and public security segments. 


The GEAR

The technology services and open innovation platform of Kajima, one of Japan's oldest and largest construction and real estate companies. 


Regulatory Partners


Building and Construction Authority

As sector lead for Singapore's Built Environment sector, BCA champions a safe, sustainable, liveable built environment and fosters a dynamic industry. 


Energy Market Authority

Driving Singapore's energy transition by catalysing innovations and establishing thought leadership. 


Scientific Partner


A*STAR

Singapore's leading research agency powering deep-tech R&D and commercialisation.

Our Commitment to You

Programme - ​​​​​​​What You Can Expect

The Urban SustaInnovator is a 12-month hybrid accelerator designed with founders in mind.

Fundraising:
Access to VCs and CVCs covering pre-seed to late-stage funding 

Industry Access:
Introduction to stakeholders for potential pilots, licensing, etc.

1-1 Mentorship: 
Dedicated lead mentor assigned from one of our partners

Networking Opportunities: 
Mixers, socials, and a signature annual event 

Why Singapore

Singapore is one of the world’s most dynamic startup ecosystems. As Asia’s Deep-Tech Gateway, Singapore offers not only access to talent, capital, and markets, but a pro-business environment with supportive regulations, low taxes, and an ideal landscape for test-bedding new innovations. SMU IIE Urban SustaInnovator aims to anchor world-class startups in Singapore, accelerate deep-tech talent development, create high-value jobs, and reinforce the nation’s position as a global hub for sustainable innovation.

The USI programme is a 12-month, non-residential hybrid accelerator for startups in the Urban Solutions and Sustainability (USS) space. It brings together companies from around the world, helping them scale and serving as their gateway into the Asian market.

To qualify for the USI, startups must first have qualified as a finalist in one of the editions of the Lee Kuan Yew Business Plan Competition to be eligible for the USI. To fully leverage the benefits of the programme, startups should engage in consistent one-on-one mentorship with our partners. As such, selection requires being shortlisted by at least one PMC partner (see below), who will act as the startup’s lead mentor.

USI is managed by a dedicated team within SMU’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and works closely with eight founding Programme Management Committee (PMC) partners. 

These partners represent sectors such as capital markets, science, regulators, and industry. They include A*STAR, Antler, Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Energy Market Authority (EMA), ST Engineering, The GEAR by Kajima, TRIREC, and Wavemaker Partners.

Startups can expect:
  1. Access to VCs for fundraising
  2. Introductions to industry for pilots / POCs
  3. Dedicated one-to-one mentorship with PMC partners
  4. Access to LKYGBPC mentor network (https://lkygbpc.smu.edu.sg/trailblazers/mentors)
  5. Access to PMC partners’ industry events and training
  6. Access to SMU’s recruitment support to onboard interns, graduates, post graduates as startups look to scale in Asia
  7. Access to SMU’s regional network 
  8. Networking opportunities, including mixers, and socials

Incorporation in Singapore is not mandatory. However, incorporating it provides easier access to local grant and financial support schemes, such as BCA's Built Environment Technology and Capability Grant and PUB’s Industrial Water Demonstration Fund, among others.

The USI accelerator is a zero-equity, zero-fee programme. It is supported through partnerships and grants, and mentors generously volunteer their time.

Unlike traditional accelerators, each cohort begins with a goal-setting session where startups define up to two challenges that they want to address through the program. 

Throughout the year-long engagement, USI helps the startups work on these challenges together with the PMC partners. A 1-to-1 mentor is assigned to the startup and will help keep track of their progress on a monthly basis.

Once a quarter, a week-long in-person session is organised in Singapore to collectively review the status and address any gaps. These sessions are co-funded by USI and the startup and are organised in alignment with major industry events like the International Built Environment Week, Singapore International Energy Week etc. to provide the startups with more industry networking opportunities.