We believe in the power of collaborative ventures 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.
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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.
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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.
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.
Validate
We provide non-dilutive grant funding for POC projects, then assign a dedicated project manager to keep timelines on track, stakeholders accountable and ensure outcomes are realised.
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.
Customer deep dives
Understand real industry problems through close collaboration and insights exchange with Kajima leaders.
Network expansion
Expand your network with exclusive access to a tight-knit community of likeminded startups, VCs and local and global ecosystem partners.
Testbed facilities
Accelerate solution validation in world-class innovation testbeds with access to data and R&D facilities.
Project management
Be assigned a dedicated project manager who is accountable for achieving outcomes from your POC.
Investment potential
Opportunity to receive equity funding post-POC from Kajima Ventures.
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Grant funding
Receive non-dilutive grant funding for your POC to fast-tack commercial deployment.
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Office space
Receive 1 year of office space and meeting room access at The GEAR (CAP Premium Membership).
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Supported by top built environment and startup
ecosystem organisations
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Industry Partners
Network Partners
Sustainability in Construction & Building Operations
Reducing energy consumption, water use and carbon emissions for both construction sites and operational facilities. Includes use of sustainable materials during construction, and for interiors.
Smart Buildings & Occupant Wellbeing
Supporting operations for our building of the future, that prioritise the occupant experience. Includes monitoring user behaviour, developing new building insights and AI for large dataset processing.
Productivity & Safety on Construction Sites
Solutions to enhance construction site efficiency and safety by optimising staff productivity, automating repetitive processes, and improving compliance with safety procedures and PPE.
Next Generation Facilities & Infrastructure Management
Improving infrastructure resilience through enhanced asset maintenance and monitoring of sub-surface conditions.
Programme Timeline
Applications open
24 April - 11 July 2025
Click here to fill in the application form!
Applicants will be assessed and interviewed on a rolling basis.
Intake 1: Selection
13 June - 11 July
The first intake of four startups will go through to the final interview stage with final selection being made by 11th July.
Intake 1:
Programme Phase 1
​Shape
21 July - 21 September
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Biweekly group sessions and 1:1 coaching .
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Facilitated customer development process, with access to Kajima employees for discovery interviews.
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Shape your value proposition specifically for Kajima's context.
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Build a compelling POC proposal.
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Pitch your proposal for funding to cover project costs.
Intake 1:
Programme Phase 2
​Validate
September onwards
(duration depending on POC project length)
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For approved POC projects, this phase oversees the successful delivery of the project.
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Dedicated project manager for each project to ensure stakeholders are engaged and timelines are adhered to.
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Support for end-of-project outcomes report and business case for further implementation.
Post Programme
Integration Support
Intake 2: Selection
11 July - 8 August
The second intake of four startups will go through to the final interview stage with final selection being made by 8th August
Intake 2:
Programme Phase 1
​Shape
11 August - 11 October
See left for Phase 1 inclusions.
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Intake 2:
Programme Phase 2
​Validate
October onwards
(duration depending on POC project length)
See left for Phase 2 inclusions.
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As required, The GEAR team will facilitate moving to a scaled-up implementation of the solution locally and across Kajima subsidiaries internationally.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.