Dutch deeptech ventures invited for second Singapore program

After a successful first edition, HighTechXL, in collaboration with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), High Tech Campus Eindhoven, Enterprise Singapore, and Atum Ventures, is launching the second Dutch-Singapore Deep-Tech Expansion Program. The initiative offers five Dutch startups or scaleups an opportunity to explore the Singaporean and Southeast Asian markets with tailored support, local insights, and direct access to a powerful innovation network. Applications are open until the end of October.

For deeptech entrepreneurs eyeing global expansion, Singapore represents a launchpad for Asia. The new edition of the Dutch-Singapore Deep-Tech Expansion Program helps Dutch ventures take that leap. Organized by HighTechXL, the program builds on the success of last year’s pilot, which brought Dutch startups to Southeast Asia and later welcomed Singaporean founders to Eindhoven.

“Singapore’s innovation landscape is fast-moving, highly connected, and open to collaboration,” says HighTechXL program director Robin van Scheijndel. “This program helps Dutch deep-tech ventures test their product-market fit, validate their business model in Asia, and connect with strategic partners who can accelerate their growth.”

Proven track record

Last year’s edition supported companies including Nearfield Instruments, inPhocal, and Sandgrain: three hightech ventures that have since made significant strides in their international development. Their participation demonstrated that a well-structured expansion program, backed by local and national agencies, can significantly reduce the learning curve for entering new markets.

“The collaboration between Dutch and Singaporean innovation ecosystems is not just symbolic,” says HighTechXL CEO John Bell. “It’s a practical bridge for deep-tech ventures that need the right combination of technology readiness, market access, and trusted partners. Singapore is ideal for that.”

What the program offers

The Dutch-Singapore Deep-Tech Expansion Program provides a structured soft-landing trajectory for participating startups. Over several months, teams receive tailored market-entry guidance from HighTechXL mentors and regional experts, access to key networks within Enterprise Singapore’s ecosystem, including corporates, investors, and research institutes, and practical support with regulations, partnerships, and scaling strategies. A week-long in-market visit to Singapore is included, allowing for direct engagement with potential customers and partners.

Participation is free of charge, funded through public-private collaboration between RVO and Enterprise Singapore.

Strengthening international innovation ties

The initiative reflects a growing strategic partnership between the Dutch and Singaporean innovation ecosystems. In recent years, both nations have invested heavily in strengthening their deep-tech sectors, from photonics and semiconductors to clean energy and AI.

The collaboration aligns with a broader mission: connecting global innovation hubs that can accelerate technological breakthroughs. As Enterprise Singapore’s representatives emphasized during last year’s launch, the partnership “creates a fertile environment for startups to grow internationally while contributing to shared innovation goals.”

The program also aligns with the Netherlands’ ambition to foster internationalization in high-tech and deep-tech sectors, with RVO playing a key role in supporting startups through market access programs and matchmaking initiatives.

Key details

• Application deadline: End of October
• Online info session: October 15
• Program details: hightechxl.com/singapore-program

“This program is about more than market access,” says Van Scheijndel. “It’s about learning how to scale your impact globally; responsibly, sustainably, and with the right partners by your side.”