Deep-tech Expansion Program celebrates first year, new cohort now open

Eindhoven, Netherlands – September 11, 2025

Applications are now open for the second cohort of the Dutch-Singapore Deep-Tech Expansion Program, connecting deep-tech startups from Singapore and the Netherlands to scale across Europe and Southeast Asia.

“The results speak for themselves. We’ve seen deep-tech startups from both countries entering new relevant markets, by opening to new powerful partnerships, and finding out what Europe has to offer,” said John Bell, CEO of HighTechXL. “It’s a great example of how innovation ecosystems can truly scale when we collaborate across borders. We’re now ready to welcome a second cohort and take the program even further.”

One year after announcing their collaboration to expand the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) to the Netherlands, HighTechXL, Singapore Deep Tech Alliance (SDTA) and Enterprise Singapore celebrate the first cohort of deep-tech ventures that successfully scaled across both ecosystems.

Since the initiative’s launch at SWITCH 2024 (Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology), the Dutch-Singapore Deep-Tech Expansion Program has proven to be a powerful launchpad for startups expanding to Southeast Asia and Europe. This bi-directional initiative continues to fuel cross-border growth and technology transfer between Singapore and the Netherlands, two of the world’s top deep-tech innovation hubs. The new cohort is now open, and applications are being welcomed from startups ready to scale globally.

Singapore ventures landing in Eindhoven

In the past year, five Singaporean ventures have established a strong foothold in the Netherlands and the broader European market thanks to the HighTechXL program and its extensive network. 

• Aprisium deployed its IoT-enabled water quality monitors in pilot programs with Dutch utilities, addressing real-time detection of PFAS and heavy metals.

• Gray Matter Solutions introduced its AI-driven cognitive health platform, targeting early diagnostics for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
• WOEX initiated partnerships with Dutch healthcare providers to bring immersive rehabilitation systems for elder mobility and recovery.
• Ailytics integrated its AI-powered video analytics with local manufacturing and logistics companies to improve workplace safety.
• N&E Innovations collaborated with Dutch food-tech stakeholders to bring Vikang99, its powerful antimicrobial technology derived from upcycled fruit waste, into sustainable packaging and clean-tech solutions.

“Through HighTechXL we felt we could access the Dutch market and explore how to engage with it. I think the HighTechXL network is nice and I did not expect to be connected with so many relevant people so easily and this is a big and positive surprise of being part of the HTXL program.” – Mohammed Adnan Azam – Co-founder at Gray Matter Solution

Dutch ventures scale into Singapore

Meanwhile, five Dutch ventures accelerated to Singapore with the support of the Singapore Deep-Tech Alliance (SDTA).

• Nearfield Instruments delivers daringly innovative metrology solutions to process control challenges in the high-end nano-electronics industry.
• Sandgrain utilizes a new approach to strengthen security by combining simple, physically unique, hard-coded ICs that safeguard the nodes’ identities together with a centralized platform that guarantees the IoT nodes’ authenticity throughout their life cycle.
• SCIL Nanoimprint Solutions offers solutions for patterning nano-structures on large wafers by using its unique and proprietary lithography technology (SCIL).
• Hoursec is developing AI training and inference on a single chip. By leveraging a unique architecture, they significantly increase computational speed while reducing both energy consumption and computing costs.
• inPhocal uses a unique laser beam technology that is set to revolutionize the field of laser processing. The long focus depth of its beam will speed up laser marking systems. The long focus depth also allows for marking on curved surfaces without loss in quality.

“I enjoyed the interactions with the fellow participating companies. The pitch deck coaching certainly added quality and crispness to the presentations. The chance to meet multiple Singapore VC firms was valuable”- Erik Peters, CCO of SCIL Nanoimprint 

One year in: momentum builds for second cohort

The program, launched in collaboration with Enterprise Singapore, RVO, HighTechXL, Singapore Deep-Tech Alliance, and High Tech Campus Eindhoven, delivers structured support to deep-tech startups through:

• Tailored market-entry strategies
  
• Connections to corporates, investors, and research institutes
  
• Localized mentorship from industry veterans and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
  
• Visibility through media and strategic events like SWITCH and XL Day

“We are proud and humbled to conclude our first cohort as the Singapore-based delivery partner for HighTechXL, helping 5 Dutch Deep-Tech scaleups land in Singapore and South-East Asia. We were extremely impressed by the quality of the Dutch cohort across a range of industries including semiconductor, cybersecurity and AI and are proud we’ve been able to help the cohort to secure its first customers in the region. This is a showcase that connects the unique Eindhoven and Singapore deep-tech ecosystems, if done properly, can lead to real business growth” said Luuk Eliens, Managing Partner – Singapore Deep-Tech Alliance (SDTA)

New cohort applications now open

Applications are now open for the second cohort of the Dutch-Singapore Deep-Tech Expansion Program, starting in September 2025. Deep-tech startups from Singapore and the Netherlands looking to scale globally are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit hightechxl.com or contact singapore@hightechxl.com.

Crossing Borders. Conquering Markets. The future of deep-tech is global.