To tackle the financial hurdles facing early-stage tech ventures in Asia, the National University of Singapore (NUS) has announced the launch of its groundbreaking S$150 million Venture Capital (VC) Programme through its entrepreneurial arm, NUS Enterprise.
Asia’s venture capital landscape is experiencing a significant downturn, with funding plummeting to a decade-low of S$85 billion. Early-stage investments alone have seen a five percent decline, dropping to S$38 billion in 2024[1]. This tough environment presents daunting challenges for tech start-ups, especially those emerging from rigorous research and development processes.
“Research-based start-ups face distinct challenges, including R&D cycles that are much longer than traditional start-ups, making them especially vulnerable in today’s cautious investment environment,” said Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President. “The new NUS Venture Capital Programme brings together capital, strategic partnerships, and specialized venture expertise to create a more resilient path from lab to market.”
A First-of-Its-Kind Initiative in Asia
The NUS VC Programme aims to amplify support for burgeoning tech innovations by concentrating on high-potential ventures within the NUS ecosystem, particularly start-ups arising from the National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (National GRIP).
National GRIP empowers innovators to transform laboratory research discoveries into globally competitive, market-ready enterprises. Although GRIP currently provides up to S$250,000 in seed funding per start-up, many require ongoing support to transition from proof of concept to commercial viability.
The new programme responds to this essential need by concentrating on post-seed growth, blending capital with structured, hands-on venture-building support to facilitate effective scaling of these start-ups.
Empowering Start-ups with Resources and Expertise
The NUS VC Programme consists of two main components.
First, NUS will allocate S$50 million over the next three years to select venture capital firms renowned for their excellence in early-stage deep tech investments. These firms will extend structured, hands-on support to start-ups, offering valuable time, expertise, and access to expansive networks to boost their growth.
The inaugural VC partners include Granite Asia, a distinguished multi-asset investment platform with 25 years of experience in supporting breakthrough technology ventures worldwide, and 4BIO Capital, a specialized investor in life sciences concentrating on advanced therapeutics.
Second, NUS plans to invest S$100 million into an independent fund dedicated to NUS-affiliated start-ups, retaining the flexibility to invest in collaboration with selected VC partners.
“NUS has built one of the most ambitious deep tech pipelines in Asia — a launchpad for breakthrough ideas with global relevance. This partnership sets a new model for how deep tech can scale: pairing world-class research with long-term capital, deep operational support, and Granite Asia’s global network. Together, we aim to accelerate the next generation of transformative technologies from Singapore to the world,” stated Ms. Jenny Lee and Mr. Jixun Foo, Senior Managing Partners at Granite Asia.
“The NUS VC Programme marks a significant step forward for early-stage tech innovation in Asia. By pairing investment with expert-led support, we are accelerating the growth of promising start-ups and strengthening the region’s innovation ecosystem. At 4BIO Capital, we look forward to partnering with NUS on this exciting initiative and learning from each other as we build and grow the companies developing the treatments of tomorrow,” added Dr. Dima Kuzmin, Managing Partner at 4BIO Capital.
Creating a Seamless Pathway from Research to Market
According to Dr. Tan Sian Wee, NUS Senior Vice President (Innovation & Enterprise), the programme is specifically designed to fill a critical gap in the innovation ecosystem. “National GRIP is an important first step in helping deep tech start-ups take root,” he said. “The VC Programme builds on this by pairing promising ventures with globally connected investors, enabling a more complete pathway to scale and commercial success.”
What distinguishes this programme is its proactive engagement with leading VC firms known not only for their impressive track records but also for their market presence in global innovation hubs. Beyond funding, these partners deliver structured support that encompasses mentorship, investor feedback, market entry strategies, fundraising networks, and operational guidance.
By enhancing the connection between research and the market, NUS seeks to fortify the resilience and scalability of its tech start-ups and ensure that the innovation engine continues to thrive in challenging investment climates.
By NUS Enterprise
[1]https://news.crunchbase.com/venture/asia-startup-funding-tanks-eoy-2024/
