Urban SustaInnovator (USI) Fund

About

SMU IIE’s US$10 million co-investment vehicle provides catalytic early-stage funding of up to US$250,000 to deep-tech startups in the Urban SustaInnovator pipeline that address urban sustainability challenges in Asia.

Benefits

• 💰Up to US$250,000 per eligible startup
  The USI Fund is described as allocating up to US$250,000 to each eligible startup, subject to selection and investment terms.
• 🤝Co-investment alongside venture capital partners
  The fund co-invests with established VC partners under prevailing market terms, providing catalytic capital while drawing on lead investors’ commercial rigour and sector expertise.
• 🌏Singapore launchpad and Asia expansion support
  The fund supports startups in establishing a presence in Singapore and expanding across Asia through SMU’s overseas centres and strategic advisory ecosystem.

Eligibility Criteria

• Investments are described as sourced from the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) and accelerated through the Urban SustaInnovator (USI) programme.
• The fund targets early-stage deep-tech startups addressing urban sustainability challenges across Asia.
• No direct-application eligibility criteria or separate nationality, residence or incorporation requirements for the USI Fund are publicly stated.

Target Sector

Energy & Utilities, Real Estate & Construction, Transportation & Logistics, Other

Target Location

The fund page lists Geography as Global. It supports startups in establishing a presence in Singapore and expanding across Asia; no separate nationality, residence or incorporation restriction for the USI Fund is stated.