JTC announced new partnerships with NUS Enterprise and INSEAD to expand LaunchPad’s global network to 19 startup nodes worldwide. The network gives LaunchPad startups access to co-working spaces, investor networks, and ecosystem partners across major innovation hubs, helping them build partnerships and scale internationally.
These partnerships build on the reimagined LaunchPad @ One-North, announced at MTI’s Committee of Supply (COS) earlier this month. To support a vibrant startup ecosystem, LaunchPad will be positioned as Asia's Flagship Startup Destination with three key initiatives: new global and local partnerships to grow startup communities; facilitative policies for support startups at every stage; and dedicated infrastructure for growing industry clusters.
Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development Alvin Tan, who is also the co-chair of the Economic Strategy Review Entrepreneurship Committee, witnessed the agreements and announced the partnerships in his welcome address at the opening of the new The Meeting Point, a co-working and event space at LaunchPad @ One-North. The full list of partnerships can be found in the Annex.
New global and local partnerships to grow startup communities
Singapore’s startup ecosystem is one of the world’s fastest growing communities, with regional and global connectivity, access to capital, and a stable operating environment. To deepen startups’ international reach, JTC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NUS Enterprise, along with a joint MOU with Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE.SG) and INSEAD. Available exclusively to LaunchPad startups, this will extend LaunchPad's network to 19 global startup nodes including Paris, San Francisco, Shenzhen, Tokyo, and Jakarta.
NUS Enterprise and INSEAD offer access to co-working spaces at overseas hubs, providing LaunchPad startups a base to test product-market fit before committing significant resources. NUS Enterprise also provides soft-landing support — including pre-trip preparation, market objective setting, access to community events, and introductions to local investors and customer networks. Together, these partnerships open new opportunities for startups to expand their reach and sell to international markets.
JTC will also be partnering with Enterprise Singapore, under the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) initiative, to strengthen support for LaunchPad startups expanding into new markets. Through such partnerships, GIA supports startups to access global innovation ecosystems and explore market expansion opportunities1. More details will be shared at a later stage.
Closer to home, JTC signed a partnership with One&Co, a co-working space operator in town. This gives LaunchPad startups access to One&Co's co-working space in Singapore’s Central Business District, providing founders more flexibility to meet customers, investors, and partners there.
Additionally, JTC’s LaunchPad Innovation Network (LINK) will now reflect a broader mandate: connecting LaunchPad startups with corporates, investors, and strategic partners to unlock market opportunities and commercialisation support. The expanded scope goes beyond funding, strengthening LaunchPad's role as a gateway for startups to scale globally while anchoring their growth in Singapore's innovation ecosystem.
Since launching in 2022, LINK has connected over 60 startups with six partners. One such partner is JRE Ventures (JREV), the corporate venture capital arm of JR East, Japan's largest railway company. JREV established an office at LaunchPad and is partnering with HeyMax, a LaunchPad startup that helps users earn credit card miles. HeyMax miles are already redeemable at Japan Rail Café and Japan Rail Club as a first step, with more collaborations in the works.
Today, four new organisations joined the LINK network: CapitaLand Development, City Developments Limited, Esri Singapore, and SoftBank Robotics. These partnerships create more opportunities for LaunchPad startups to pilot solutions and accelerate market adoption.
Facilitative policies to support startups at every stage
JTC is introducing more startup-friendly policies at LaunchPad.
First, JTC is streamlining the onboarding process to reduce friction for incoming startups. Startups will enjoy up to two months of rent free for fitting out, alongside more flexible lease terms and shorter notice periods to allow them to adjust their space needs as they grow.
Second, to enrich the ecosystem, LaunchPad is expanding its entry criteria beyond early-stage startups to welcome scale-ups. This brings established companies alongside startups to catalyse innovation and spark collaboration. Startups can also access a wider network of sites across JTC's real estate portfolio to pilot and validate their ideas.
Yap Eai-Sy, Director of the Infocomm Media & Startup Division, JTC, said: "LaunchPad is where startups and enterprises can build, grow, and go global. We are making it easier for them to set up, opening our doors to scale-ups, and connecting founders to international markets, all from Asia’s most dynamic business hub."
Enhanced and dedicated infrastructure for growing industry clusters
JTC is progressively refreshing LaunchPad @ One-North's infrastructure to support its growing community of startups.
The newly reopened The Meeting Point is the first of these upgrades. The co-working and event space has been redesigned as a dedicated venue for networking, investor meetings, and community events. Further improvements are underway, including new sports facilities, upgraded toilets, enhanced sheltered connectivity across the estate, and more food and beverage options.
Beyond refreshing existing spaces, JTC is also building Kampong AI, Singapore's Hub and Home for AI. Pilot workspaces are now available, and when fully ready in 2028, Kampong AI will be Singapore's first integrated startup community, combining work, play, and living spaces under one roof.
Get started
LaunchPad is ready to support startups looking to scale locally and globally. Interested companies can contact JTC at launchpad@jtc.gov.sg, while existing tenants can reach out to their account manager to explore available opportunities.
For more information about LaunchPad, visit here.
1By Enterprise Singapore, the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) works with government agencies, corporates and innovation organisations to facilitate network building, R&D collaboration, as well as commercialisation and funding traction for startups in overseas markets.
