Startup CoLab Programme

Creating impactful startup collaborations to drive built environment innovation

Combining the best of corporate strength and startup agility

Innovation doesn’t happen by accident. Structure, capital, and real-world deployment turn ideas into breakthroughs.

The GEAR Startup CoLab Programme facilitates startups to accelerate product and business validation in a live testbed environment with the opportunity to solve real business challenges and co-create new solutions with Kajima.

Supported by top built environment and startup ecosystem organisations

industry partners

Network Partners

3-Phase Programme

Accelerating scaled-up commercialisation of breakthrough technology by providing startups with access to world-class facilities, mentorship, networks, funding and a structured framework for collaborative projects.

Programme Phase
1 - Shape

4-5 bi-weekly group sessions and 1:1 coaching, covering:

Facilitated customer development process, with access to Kajima employees for discovery interviews.
Shaping value propositions specifically for Kajima’s context.
Building a compelling POC proposal.
Final project proposal pitch for approval and grant funding allocation.

Programme Phase
2 - Validate

For approved POC projects, this phase oversees the successful delivery of the project, including:

Dedicated project manager for each project to ensure stakeholders are engaged and timelines are adhered to.
Support for end-of-project outcomes report and business case for further implementation.

Post-Programme: Scale

Post POC, we work together to quantify the outcomes and identify opportunities to scale-up the rollout at a larger scale at multiple locations

Programme Benefits

Entire value chain

Access the end-to-end built environment value chain – from property development, construction and smart-facility management.

Testbed facilities

Accelerate solution validation in world-class innovation testbeds with access to data and R&D facilities.

Grant funding

Receive non-dilutive grant funding for your POC to fast-tack commercial deployment.

Customer deep dives

Understand real industry problems through close collaboration and insights exchange with Kajima leaders.

Project management

Be assigned a dedicated project manager who is accountable for achieving outcomes from your POC.

Office space

Receive 1 year of office space and meeting room access at The GEAR (CAP Premium Membership).

Network expansion

Expand your network with exclusive access to a tight-knit community of likeminded startups, VCs and local and global ecosystem partners.

Investment potential

Opportunity to receive equity funding post-POC from Kajima Ventures.

Challenge Statement Themes

We are looking to work with startups that fit within the following themes.

Sustainability in Construction & Building Operations

Reducing energy use, water consumption, and carbon emissions in both construction and operations, including sustainable materials for building and interiors.

Productivity & Safety on Construction Sites

Improving construction efficiency and safety by boosting productivity, automating tasks, and enhancing compliance with safety protocols and PPE.

Smart Buildings & Occupant Wellbeing

Enhancing future-ready buildings by improving occupant experience through user behaviour insights and AI-driven data analysis.

Next-Gen Facilities & Infrastructure Management

Improving infrastructure resilience through enhanced asset maintenance and monitoring of sub-surface conditions.

Testimonials

Chang Qing Yang

CEO & Cofounder, ConcreteAI

The GEAR’s startup programme has been a game-changer for us, providing us with the platform to showcase and validate our technology in real-world conditions.
The support and endorsement from Kajima’s team has been pivotal in accelerating our growth and adoption in the industry. We are immensely grateful for their support and highly recommend the programme to other built environment startups.

Uzair Javaid

CEO & Co-founder, Betterdata

Before The GEAR’s programme, we did not have a client in the built environment. After it, we do! For founders looking to validate your idea and get constantly challenged every step of the way, this programme does the trick.

Chee How Tan

CEO & Co-founder, Spinoff Robotics

The collaboration with Kajima was instrumental in gaining real-world stakeholder perspective and insightful insider knowledge to calibrate our business model for the built environment.

Chang Qing Yang

CEO & Cofounder, ConcreteAI

Uzair Javaid

CEO & Co-founder, Betterdata

Tan Chee How

CEO & Co-founder, Spinoff Robotics

The collaboration with Kajima was instrumental in gaining real-world stakeholder perspective and insightful insider knowledge to calibrate our business model for the built environment.

Programme Timeline

24 April – 11 July

Applications open

Click here to fill in the application form!

Applicants will be assessed and interviewed on a rolling basis.

24 April – 11 July

13 June – 11 July

Intake 1: Selection

The first intake of four startups will go through to the final interview stage with final selection being made by 11th July.

13 June – 11 July

11 July – 8 August

Intake 2: Selection

The second intake of four startups will go through to the final interview stage with final selection being made by 8th August

11 July – 8 August

21 July – 21 September

Intake 1: Programme Phase 1 - Shape

Our experienced coaches and industry mentors guide startups through a customer discovery phase to understand real industry problems and shape a POC that can demonstrate value.

21 July – 21 September

11 August – 11 October

Intake 2: Programme Phase 1 - Shape

11 August – 11 October

September onwards

Intake 1: Programme Phase 2 - Validate

Selected POCs are awarded non-dilutive grant funding and assigned a dedicated project manager to ensure outcomes are achieved.

September onwards

October onwards

Intake 2: Programme Phase 2 - Validate

Intake 2: Programme Phase 2 – Validate

October onwards

Post-Programme: Scale

As required, The GEAR team will facilitate moving to a scaled-up implementation of the solution locally and across Kajima subsidiaries internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is The GEAR?

The GEAR: Kajima Lab for Global Engineering, Architecture, & Real Estate is Kajima's first overseas headquarters and the physical manifestation of Kajima's global innovation and R&D vision, bringing research to reality. The facility is a focal point to explore, experiment, and co-create cutting-edge technologies, in addition to housing about 250 of Kajimas regional staff.

In addition to the physical building, The GEAR by Kajima company leads smart building operations, open innovation programmes and technology transfer of internal R&D initiatives.

2. Who is Kajima Corporation?

Established in 1840, Kajima is a Tokyo-headquartered construction and real estate firm that comprises more than 100 subsidiaries globally. Outside Japan, it has operations in North America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

Singapore serves as the regional headquarters for all operations within the Southeast Asia region, and locally, it is primarily represented by Kajima Overseas Asia for its construction business, and Kajima Development for its real estate business.

3. What are the eligibility criteria? Who can apply?

Early stage or mature startups and SMEs are welcome to apply.

Eligiblity:

Applicants should have a solution that is:

At least TRL level 7.
Is relevant to one or more of the Programme Challenge Statements.
Can be validated in collaboration with Kajima at The GEAR or one of our other project sites.

Applicants can be located anywhere in the world, but are willing to travel as required to Singapore to deploy their POC project. (note it is not required to be located in Singapore for the full duration of the programme and programme sessions can be joined online).

For applicants with already commercialised technology, this programme offers an opportunity to validate the value proposition within Kajima's context - perhaps a new application of the product, a new feature or entering the built environment sector.

4. What is the application and selection process?

Once you apply to the programme, we will review your application to assess your company, interest, and objectives. We will then shortlist startups to have a 30-min call to meet and understand your business proposition, to align your objectives for the programme. After the shortlist calls, we will review with our business units and programme partners (with further interviews scheduled if needed) then select the final 8 high potential startups to be a part of The GEAR Startup CoLab Programme.

Note that there will be two intakes of four companies each, with the first four companies being selected based on the applicants as of 13th June.

The second four companies will be selected from the applicants as of 11th July, so it is encouraged to apply early.

5. How many startups will be selected for the programme?

We will be selecting 8 high potential startups with solutions that address the challenge statements of the programme.

6. Where is the programme run? Is it in-peron or online?

The programme will be run from The GEAR in Singapore, with POC opportunities across Kajima's Singapore businesses. Programme sessions will be hybrid, with the option to join in-person at The GEAR or online. Foreign startups do not need to travel to Singapore for the duration of the programme, only if required to deploy their POC. Note that the POC grant funding may also be used to cover travel costs.

7. What facilities are made available during the programme?

Startups can access the co-working space at The GEAR, book meeting rooms and access to 5 R&D lab facilities. Note that access to test-bedding facilities and labs will be approved on a case-by-case basis. Participants can also access other Kajima sites for POC deployment, with suitable sites being identified during the programme based on project needs.

8. When will I be informed that I’m selected for the programme?

We’ll be shortlisting startups and conducting interview calls on a rolling basis, so it is encouraged to apply early. Final selection for intake 1 will be by 11th July, and for intake 2 by 8th August.

9. Will Kajima take any equity in the selected startups?

The programme is free for startups to join with no equity taken.

There will however be an opportunity to receive investment from Kajima Ventures during or after the programme for the highest potential startups.

10. Who owns the IP generated during the programme?

Kajima Corporation, nor any of its subsidiaries, will not retain any IP generated by the participating startups during the programme, unless a specific joint-research or joint-venture agreement is signed by both parties. Any requirement to share confidential information or collaborate on research initiatives will be covered in separate specific agreements.

11. What is the level of commitment for the programme?

For programme phase 1, it is required that a founder or senior management level employee participates in the group and individual coaching sessions (4-5 bi-weekly sessions), to support gathering the required inputs to design a robust POC - this includes customer discovery interviews with Kajima employees, shaping a tailored value proposition and designing and pitching the POC project.

These sessions can be attended in person or online.

Apply Now!

Applications open until 13th June for intake 1, and 11th July for intake 2.1