HighTechXL (HTXL), the Netherlands’ premier deep-tech venture building program, and Enterprise Singapore (Enterprise SG) launched a new partnership and program to accelerate innovation and growth of Dutch and Singaporean deep-tech startups. It’s part of a strategic initiative to expand the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) to the Netherlands.
The Dutch-Singapore Deep Tech Expansion Program introduces Eindhoven as a new GIA node, designed to facilitate market access and collaboration between Singaporeans and the Dutch deep-tech ecosystem.
The collaboration was formalized and announced at SWITCH (Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology) at the end of October.
HTXL CEO John Bell was in Singapore to launch the program. “We are extremely excited to make this collaboration a reality,” Bell said. “It’s crucial to team up with leading ecosystems to tackle major societal challenges.”
Singapore has emerged as a global innovation hub, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. By partnering with Enterprise SG, HTXL leverages Singapore's strategic location, strong government support and infrastructure to help Dutch startups scale internationally.
Deep-tech startups in Singapore saw an eye-popping 59% increase in 2023 in year-over-year funding, signaling increased investor confidence.
“Singapore is known for its deep-tech focus, bolstered by a government and top tech institutes that actively support innovation and research,” said Bell. “Its strategic position as a gateway to the Asian market makes it an ideal destination for Dutch startups aiming to scale up their R&D capabilities and attract potential investment.”
HTXL is working closely with long-term partner Singapore Deep Tech Alliance (SDTA).
“SDTA will scout startups and scale-ups in Singapore that fit the criteria to join the program,” said Robin van Scheijndel, head of partnerships at HTXL and program lead. “We will select five out of all the applications to join our program for seven months.
“If you look at the companies that are big in this region, they're also in Singapore … Philips, VDL, NTS and many more,” said van Scheijndel. “I think that shows the complementarity of the two ecosystems. That's why I think it's a very logical step to do this together with Singapore.”
The one-year program will be run remotely from each location, but there are two immersion weeks where Singaporean startups are in the Netherlands and Dutch startups go to Singapore.
Throughout the program, teams get a designated coach, entrepreneur or business developer who will guide them through the program. SDTA will do the same in Singapore.
Specific needs determine the content of the week, so there are various workshops for startups to attend. It will be a good mix of workshops and content. Meanwhile, there are plenary events for all the teams.
“We are working very closely with the startups, putting their needs first,” van Scheijndel said. “You want to do some research on fabrication of a certain material? We’ll try to hook you up with the right person. You want to get set up an entity to get investment? We’ll hook you up with investors. Oh, you want to do make your first pilot with a battery company? We’ll connect you with a battery company.”
It’s high-touch, but van Scheijndel thinks it’s also high-yield.
“How do you set up a Dutch entity? We’ll dive into import, export and a lot of other areas. All that’s super important, but it's also important they meet the right connections, depending on the need of these startups and scale-ups,” he said.
With five companies from each country joining the cohorts, van Scheijndel expects 20 startups to complete the program and the exchange.
HTXL is accepting applications through the end of the year, with the program kicking off in January.
