Four Singaporean startups with global ambitions take the stage

At HighTechXL’s XL Day on June 27, four ambitious startups from the accelerator’s Singapore program showcased how they are tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges, from industrial safety to cognitive health. Their message was clear: the Netherlands and Europe are ripe for their expansion, collaboration, and impact.

It was more than just a pitch session, it was a glimpse into the future, shaped by global innovators. As part of the deepening partnership between HighTechXL and Singapore’s innovation ecosystem, four founders crossed continents to share their solutions at XL Day in Eindhoven. Each one brought with them not only a promising technology but a clear mission: to improve lives and industries at scale.

New global innovation nodes link Dutch and Singaporean Startups

HighTechXL, a leading venture builder, will partner with Enterprise Singapore to run a specialized 22-week acceleration program, while Startupbootcamp offers a 12-week course.

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Vision-powered safety in heavy industry

“Together, let’s empower the industries through vision,” said Roderick Xing Wensi, CEO of Singapore-based startup Ailytics, as he opened his pitch. His company utilizes AI-driven video analytics to reduce accidents and fatalities in labor-intensive sectors such as construction, logistics, and maritime.

Referencing recent fatalities in the port of Rotterdam, Xing underscored the urgency: “We are doing our very little bit, step by step, to reduce such kinds of accidents.” The startup’s software connects to existing CCTV infrastructure and issues real-time alerts, for example, when workers are too close to suspended loads or operating machinery.

With 200 projects across eight countries, Ailytics is already making an impact, reporting a 70% drop in non-compliance incidents within the first months of deployment. “We operate where others can’t, in harsh, outdoor environments, and we don’t require any extra hardware,” Xing said. Now, the company is seeking local partners, integrators, or direct clients in the Netherlands to expand its reach.

Rehabilitation made accessible and personal

When Alfred Eeltink received a call that his mother had suffered a stroke, the limitations of rehabilitation services hit home. “She only gets half an hour of treatment, four days a week,” he shared. His startup WO:EX aims to change that, not only for his mother but for millions of stroke patients around the world.

WO:EX combines robotics, augmented and virtual reality, and gamification to offer a three-in-one rehab solution focused on balance, gait training, and coordination. Unlike bulky hospital equipment, WO:EX’s system is modular, affordable, and designed for use at home.

“In Asia, we’ve already seen families buying it themselves to speed up recovery at home,” said Eeltink. European clinics like the Sint Maartenskliniek in Nijmegen have praised the product’s usability and build quality. WO:EX is now seeking €1 million in investment and partnerships in the Netherlands to further expand into the home care and rehabilitation market. It's a move that could help address the staff shortages plaguing Europe’s healthcare systems.

Plastic waste meets its match

While others see banana peels and durian husks as waste, Didi Gan sees opportunity. The founder of N&E Innovations has developed a patented antimicrobial compound from upcycled agricultural waste. The result? ViKang, the world’s first food-grade, edible, antibacterial compound used in cling film and packaging.

“We’re turning food waste into a climate solution,” Gan said, showing off her “Orange Wrap,” a compostable, antibacterial cling film that extends shelf life and reduces emissions by up to 32 times compared to conventional plastics. The company has already sold over 500,000 products globally and is scaling up production.

With applications ranging from medical packaging to crop protection, Gan’s technology is ready for broader rollout. “We want to upcycle 10,000 tons of food waste by 2030,” she said. “And we’re looking for retail, distribution, and R&D partners here in Europe to make it happen.”

Fighting dementia before it starts

“More than 200 million people in Europe are at risk of cognitive decline, and most don’t even know it,” said Mohammed Adnan Azam, founder of Gray Matter Solutions. His startup has developed a digital, gamified cognitive test that detects early signs of impairment and even distinguishes between Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia; a crucial step for tailoring interventions.

Using data from over a thousand patients in Singapore, the algorithm achieves 90% accuracy in identifying mild cognitive impairment. “That’s 90% more than zero, because right now most people aren’t tested until it’s too late,” Azam noted. The company also offers follow-up interventions, including personalized digital therapeutics.

Already launched in Singapore, Gray Matter now wants to replicate its success in Europe. “We envision annual cognitive screenings in primary care, just like breast cancer checks,” Azam said. Discussions with Dutch insurers and clinics have begun, and the team is seeking collaborators in healthcare, insurance, and elderly care.

Gateway to Europe

For all four startups, XL Day was like a landing zone. The Singapore-Europe connection, launched last year, is now bearing fruit. By combining deeptech innovation with personal purpose, these founders are building companies and bridges. Between continents. Between technologies and real-world impact. And between today’s problems and tomorrow’s solutions.

Or, as Didi Gan put it, waving her antimicrobial cling film to the crowd: “This is not just a product. It’s a promise to our children.”