Image: Researchers from the NTU Singapore-CEA Alliance for Research in Circular Economy (SCARCE) research centre, Senior Research Fellow Dr Sim Ying; undergraduate intern Mr Tan Jun Heng; Research Fellow Dr Chua Huei Min; and NTU alumnus Dr Tay Yeow Boon, Co-founder of Neusla, with their pilot solar panel recycling process at the Energy Research Institute @ NTU.
A start-up that turns old solar panels into raw materials for greener batteries and another developing antimicrobial peptides that can kill drug-resistant germs, are among 30 deep tech teams from the National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (National GRIP) that are showcasing their innovations at Echelon Singapore this year.
Image: NTU spin-off Loop For Bio and NUS spin-off Terraco Earth showcasing their innovations at Echelon Singapore.
Meanwhile, Terraco Earth is developing a capture system that traps carbon dioxide directly from industrial exhaust using solid adsorption. Unlike conventional systems, it requires no steam and uses less energy, making it easier to integrate across industrial sites. The company has completed a pilot at the Tuas Waste-to-Energy Research Facility.
These local innovations are among the 30 National GRIP start-ups undergoing incubation and will take part in a Lift-Off Day at Echelon Singapore. The event will see the start-ups pitch to venture capital firms, meet industry collaborators, and engage potential customers who could support pilots, partnerships and commercial deployment.
Echelon Singapore, organised by e27, is one of Singapore’s key start-up events, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, corporates and innovation ecosystem stakeholders.
These start-up teams are drawn from research conducted across Singapore’s Institutes of Higher Learning and research institutes. Their innovations span biomedical science, sustainability, artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced materials, climate tech, biotechnology and other emerging technologies.
National GRIP is Singapore’s S$50 million venture creation and commercialisation programme that aims to accelerate deep tech start-ups with high commercial potential.
It is jointly run by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF Singapore).
National GRIP is expected to engage more than 1,000 researchers through six programme runs in its first three years.
The start-ups presenting at Echelon this year were selected from more than 80 teams that began the programme in January 2025, underscoring the growing pipeline of research-based ventures emerging from Singapore’s universities and research institutes.
Spanning 12 months, National GRIP helps teams test commercial demand, refine business models, prepare for investment discussions, and move their innovations towards market trials and real-world application.
Image: National GRIP directors Dr Richard Seow from NUS Enterprise (left) and Mr Anuj Jain from NTUitive (right) at the National GRIP Pavilion at Echelon Singapore.
Mr Anuj Jain, Director, National GRIP & Activate Global Fellows SG – NTU, said: “National GRIP was created to help researchers turn strong scientific ideas into venture-backed companies with real-world applications. Echelon provides a strong platform for our start-ups to meet investors, industry partners and customers who can help them take the next step in their commercialisation journey.”
Dr Richard Seow, NUS Programme Director for National GRIP said: “Global investment in emerging technologies continues to accelerate, creating new opportunities for research-driven ventures in AI, climate tech and biotechnology. Singapore is well positioned to translate strong scientific capabilities into solutions with global relevance and real-world impact.
National GRIP helps research teams connect with venture expertise, industry networks, and market opportunities, supporting the translation of research into commercially viable solutions with meaningful economic and societal impact.”
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