Urban SustaInnovator Fund
A US$10M co-investment vehicle providing catalytic early-stage funding to deep-tech startups addressing Asia’s most pressing urban challenges. The startups are sourced from the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) and accelerated through the Urban SustaInnovator (USI) programme.
US $10M
Co-investment fund
US $1B+
Raised by LKYGBPC alumni in the past 5 years
Sector Focus
About the Fund
USI Fund leverages a globally sourced, high-quality deal pipeline combined with rigorous due diligence enabled by SMU’s expert partner network spanning science, regulation, capital markets, and industry. The fund capitalises on surging climate-tech capital flows across Asia, serving as an ecosystem bridge that deploys catalytic early-stage capital to help promising startups scale while capturing financial value.
"Urban Sustainability Innovation often fails not for lack of ideas, but for lack of capital that understands early-stage risk and long deployment cycles."
Prof. Sun Sun Lim
Chair, USI Programme Management Committee
The Fund co-invests alongside established VC partners under prevailing market terms, providing catalytic capital while benefiting from commercial rigour and sector expertise of lead investors.
Supports startups in establishing a presence in Singapore and expanding across Asia through SMU’s network of overseas centres and a strategic advisory ecosystem comprising venture capitalists, industry leaders, scientists, corporates and regulators.
The Opportunity
Asia's cities are at an inflection point. The region holds the world's fastest-growing urban population, the largest infrastructure build-out and the most acute climate pressure creating a generational investment opportunity.
Rapid Urbanisation
Asia's urban expansion is creating urgent demand for scalable infrastructure, mobility
and energy solutions.
Energy Transition
Governments across Asia have set net-zero targets, unlocking massive capital flows for decarbonisation solutions. Deep-tech founders who solve this stand to benefit from tailwinds in public and private capital markets.
Deep-Tech Differentiation
Developing science-based technologies to solve complex challenges and create
lasting impact. USI startups turn breakthrough research into real-world solutions.
Privileged Deal Access
USI fund's deal flow originates from LKYGBPC’s high quality global deep-tech startup pipeline.
SMU’s Convening Power
USI brings together venture capitalists, R&D leaders, corporates, and regulators, allowing startups accelerated regulatory navigation and pilot access.
Singapore - Beachhead to Asia
Singapore's rule of law,
IP protection frameworks and regional connectivity make it the ideal base for scaling urban-tech
companies across Asia's heterogeneous markets.
Fund Structure
The USI Fund is designed to co-invest alongside leading VCs bringing best-in-class due diligence, deep sector knowledge and network advantages to every deal.
| Fund Size | US $10M |
| Fund Type | Co-Investment Fund |
| Stage | Early-Stage |
| Focus Sectors | Urban Solutions & Sustainability |
| Geography | Global |
Ready to invest in Asia's urban future?
We welcome co-investment partners who share our conviction in deep-tech solutions for urban sustainability
For more information on Urban SustaInnovator
For other questions, feel free to contact us - usi@smu.edu.sg