The deep tech-focused Graduate Research Innovation Program is due to onboard 60 founders for its inaugural cohort early next year to form startups for the chance for a total $177,000 investment.

National University of Singapore (NUS) has joined forces with startup builder Antler to spawn a deep tech-focused accelerator providing each portfolio business with up to S$240,000 ($174,000) in funding, Tech in Asia reported today. The Graduate Research Innovation Program will kick off with a pilot cohort in the first quarter of 2020 with some 60 commercial and tech founders selected on the back of their expertise and commitment. NUS and Antler have elected to run the curriculum of a part-time basis, enabling founders to retain their jobs throughout the process. Target segments include deep tech applications in biotech, sustainability, industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence. The accelerator is expected to onboard about 30 businesses each year, providing access to NUS’s research and resources along with software and skills-building expertise from Antler. Participants will start by forming teams to identify and validate their concept with a view to securing a potential $100,000 investment from Antler. If successful, they will undergo a second prototyping phase with the potential to secure a further $74,000 from NUS at the end of the program. Applications for Graduate Research Innovation Program are open until the deadline on January 5, 2020.

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