Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SMU IIE) has introduced 36 startups into its August 2026 cohort of the Business Innovations Generator (BIG), an equity-free incubation programme. This cohort, which includes startups led by SMU faculty, alumni, and current students, as well as founders from Singapore and overseas, highlights the growing emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital economy solutions.
Among the 36 startups, 19 are developing AI-driven products across various sectors, including healthcare, logistics, and finance. Notably, the cohort features 22 startups from the SMU community, with the remaining 14 founded by entrepreneurs outside the university. Six startups are incorporated overseas, in countries such as China, India, Malaysia, and the United States.
BIG, established in 2009, has supported 668 startups, collectively raising S$902m. It was recently recognised as the world’s Best Accelerator/Incubator Programme at the Global Startup Awards. Hau Koh Foo, Director of IIE, emphasised the programme’s role in transforming knowledge into impactful solutions, stating, “The August 2026 BIG cohort demonstrates both the growing maturity of Singapore’s innovation ecosystem and the increasing global reach of our community.”
The programme offers startups access to mentors, industry partners, and co-working spaces, fostering an environment for innovation and collaboration. As Singapore continues to establish itself as a hub for entrepreneurship, SMU’s BIG remains a pivotal platform for nurturing early-stage ventures. Interested founders can apply for the January 2027 cohort.
