Singapore

27 October - 14 November

‍‍Objectives of the Mission

‍This second iteration of Techscaler Singapore was a dual-industry programme, focusing on businesses operating in the health / medtech and climate / energy tech spaces. The mission sought to immerse founders in the Singapore ecosystem through a combination of formal business visits and networking, while intentionally allowing participants time to arrange their own meetings or explore other APAC markets.

‍Pre-Departure Activity‍1-1 Self Scheduled Sessions

- 15-minute call with Sally Dale (International Programme Manager, CodeBase)
- 15-minute call with Andrew McGinley (Entrepreneur in Residence, CodeBase)
- Pitch Refinement Session with Techscaler mentor, Callum Stuart
- The Ecosystem Mentorship Session with Techscaler mentor, Felicia Cheung

Cohort Group Sessions
- 20 Aug - The Fundraising Information Session with Mark Hogarth (online)
- 4 Sept - The Cohort Mixer Session 
- 17 Sept - Pre-departure Workshop with Anaïs Guillemaud (CodeBase), Fraser Morrison (GlobalScot) & TS Singapore alumni
- 7 Oct - International Mixer Event (in-person, CodeBase Edinburgh)

On-Location Agenda
‍Founder-led structure, supplemented with a small number of additional activities:
‍
- 28 Oct - SWITCH reception at the British High Commissioner’s Residence, Eden Hall
- 28 Oct - BLOCK71 Onboarding, intro & mingling session 
- 29 - 31 Oct - SWITCH Conference 3 Nov - Tuspark Investment Day
- 4 Nov - Support Drop-in with Techscaler team at BLOCK71 
- 4 Nov - Chilean Delegation x BLOCK71 at Singapore Science Park 
- 5 Nov - GlobalScot pitching and networking breakfast
- 7 Nov - Medtech: Intro to Syndesia at BLOCK71
- 11 Nov - Smith + Nephew innovation centre
- 12 Nov - Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
- 14 Nov - Closing Workshop BLOCK71


Invitation, Application and Eligibility Process
‍
Invitation Process
As both programmes ran at the same time, we recruited for this Singapore Programme in tandem with recruitment for our fourth iteration of the Silicon Valley programme. 

Individuals could access the opportunity in one of three ways:

- Anyone could register their interest for the programmes on the programme’s landing page on the Techscaler website.
If they were a Techscaler member at that time, they were directed to the international programme application. 
If they were not a Techscaler member at that time, they were signposted to the membership application, before being directed to the international programmes application.
- Existing Techscaler members were invited to apply to one or both of the programmes by email, with the caveat that they could only be selected for one, not both. Invitations were sent to all registered Techscaler members listed on our CRM as a founder (or where this field was empty, in the interest of completeness). 
- New Techscaler members in the midst of their onboarding who were likely to be eligible (Early and Growth stage) received updated onboarding communications with a link to the international programmes application form to ensure they didn’t miss the opportunity to apply. 

The workflow also incorporated an opportunity for members to update their information at the point of application, to ensure our CRM held the most up-to-date details possible. 

Eligibility and Criteria
- Techscaler membership- Being a founder / co-founder- No permanent team or office currently in Singapore or the wider APAC region
- Availability for pre-departure workshop
- Availability for all trip dates (with a small number of exceptions made on a case by case basis as part of a commitment to accessibility - based on founder feedback)
- Product in market and generative revenue over £1,000 a month 
- Has active users or customers
- Individual was not a participant in the previous Singapore cohort

Assessment and Review
- Applicants who matched all essential criteria were reviewed by the CodeBase team. They were assessed based on a combination of their application answers and wider information held by Techscaler in their curation/mentorship notes.
- As with previous cohorts of TSG, affirmative action was taken to ensure cohort diversity of gender and region, with a small number of founders selected who did not meet all the essential criteria. This included assessing applications of :
      - Women that were not revenue generating but whose applications showed evidence of traction and strong plans for expansion to the APAC region, particularly in the case of health / medtech, where businesses typically experience longer lead times before generating revenue.
     - Members highlighted by Entrepreneurs in Residence and Regional Community Managers as particularly suitable
- The longlist and shortlist were shared with Scottish Enterprise & Scottish Development International before final confirmation of the cohort.

Attending Businesses
‍
- Connecting Hands
- Danu Insights
- MyWay Digital Health
- Rethink Carbon
- Seluna
- ThermaFY Eco Solutions
- Tiny Air
- Trials Link
- Virtual Reality Empathy Platform
- Wristbud

In numbers:
‍
- Participants attending: 10
- CodeBase colleagues attending: 3, staggered across 3 weeks
- NPS +80 - based on 10 participants completing a survey within 1 week post-trip


Testimonials
Feedback survey completed by 10 participants within 1 week-post trip.

‍“Techscaler was a fantastic opportunity for MyWay Digital Health to immerse in the APAC region, to follow-up with existing contacts and collaborators and to work in the same time zone, which shouldn't be underestimated. I learnt a lot that I'll be able to take in to decisions around setting up a subsidiary in the region (initially in Malaysia) and gained essential knowledge around the regulatory and data governance landscape.”  - Scott Cunningham,  MyWay Digital Health

"Perspective, ambition and network! Without it, I certainly think that APAC would endlessly be 'a big biotech region' that we would never properly get around to investigating properly and considering." - Stefan Bostock, Danu Insight“A great programme to discover and leverage the opportunities within APAC.” - Jay Evans IHL/Wristbud

“Techscaler Singapore gave us rapid, insider context on where to expand in APAC and how to do it. The programme’s hyper-focused events and targeted networking opened doors we simply couldn’t have accessed from Scotland. It helped us validate our market approach in days rather than months. I’d strongly recommend it to any Scotland-based founder looking to understand and enter APAC with confidence.” - Osman El-Koubani, Trials Link

“Eureka! I had a few of these moments.... I came with an X and left with Y and Z, one of the thrills!The Techscaler Singapore programme was transformative; it expanded my thinking, sharpened my strategy, and connected me with people and opportunities I could never have accessed alone. From expert feedback to cultural insight and high-value introductions, every element pushed my business forward. I left with clarity, confidence, and a broader vision. I would absolutely recommend this programme to any Scotland-based founder ready to grow globally. From Scotland to the world!'' - Tolu Abikoye, Connecting Hands Ltd

“This trip to Singapore has been a catalyst for fresh thinking. The introductions and insights we’ve gained have stretched our imagination and opened up exciting new directions for ThermaFY. Innovation truly accelerates when you step beyond what you know.” - Amanda Pickford, ThermaFY

“This trip lit a fire. I feel energised and excited about global opportunities for LifeLens, it was knackering but I enjoyed every minute [...] There's such a passion for Aged Care and Tech, people are super respectful and very business minded.[...] It was an absolute privilege and honour, thanks so much for the amazing backing and opportunity. The future feels bigger now. Thank You Techscaler!”  - Kevin Gordon, LifeLens VR (Virtual Reality Empathy Platform Ltd) 

“Techscaler Singapore was hugely valuable for me and for Rethink Carbon. The on-the-ground support and cohort community created an instant network that made navigating Singapore far easier, and the networking opportunities pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way. I gained deep insight into Southeast Asia’s nature-based solutions and carbon markets, finding that some challenges mirror the UK while others reflect the unique dynamics of the region. This has given me real clarity on where the opportunities for Rethink Carbon are. 

I’ve completed the trip with a strong initial network of project developers, consultants, and centres of influence; a clear understanding of Singapore’s role as a regional carbon hub; and exciting opportunities for pilots and partnerships across nature-based carbon projects. The trip came at the perfect time for our business and has already helped shape our direction for the near to medium future.

I would highly recommend the programme to other Scotland-based founders exploring APAC." - Zoë Russell, Rethink Carbon 

“The Techscaler Singapore trip was transformative -  it shifted Tiny Air’s mindset from a local NHS solution to a globally relevant medtech company, opening doors to international hospitals, regulators, and partners, generating traction and accelerating real commercial momentum.” - Chris Helson, Tiny Air

Lessons Learned‍

‍Face to face culture and conferences were invaluable: Singapore’s emphasis on formal meetings and events like SWITCH created strong opportunities for connections, with founders noting that in person follow ups and repeat meetings built trust and opened doors.

Structured and unstructured time both added value: the mix of official visits (GlobalScot, Eden Hall, ministerial events) and space for founders to run their own meetings across APAC worked well, reinforcing the programme’s pilot aim to test a more structured format while allowing independence.Cohort briefing and prep should go deeper: some founders were unsure how best to frame their businesses for the Singapore market. A stronger pre-departure workshop covering cultural context, pitching styles, and sector-specific nuances would increase effectiveness.

Balance of company stages needs refining: early-stage companies without significant traction struggled to make as much progress, underlining the importance of aligning selection criteria with Singapore’s preference for market-ready solutions. SWITCH ticketing and logistics need tighter planning: several issues arose around ticket access and on-the-ground coordination at the conference. Earlier confirmation of passes and clearer comms with founders would reduce stress and improve value capture. In the future, paid tickets to access some stages may not be necessary.

‍Programme timing reduced access to key stakeholders: running the trip during Diwali and alongside major international events meant some contacts were unavailable, which limited visibility and required extra effort to secure meetings. 

Coordination with partners could be strengthened: useful connections provided by Techscaler partner organisations in the region; for future trips more lead time for this engagement will ensure best outcomes for all participants and support partner organisations.

20 October - 9 November 2024
‍
Objectives of the mission
‍
This was a pilot programme, designed to test a more structured format in a location where a more formal approach to meetings and introductions aligns well with local practice. The mission aimed to expose founders to the Singapore ecosystem through a mix of formal business visits and networking, while also leaving space for participants to arrange their own meetings or explore other APAC markets; not as a limitation, but as a deliberate feature of the programme design.

‍Agenda
‍
21 October: 
- Welcome Session at Block71 
- Panel on the State of AI in the UK & Networking
- Scottish Alumni & Connections Reception (invite only)

22 October: 
- Global Scots Networking Breakfast
- Ministerial Visit to Block71

28 October:
DBT Trade Mission event, including morning sessions and afternoon corporate visits

28 - 30 October:
SWITCH Conference

29 October:
UK SWITCH 2024 Event Reception


Invitation, Application and Eligibility Process
‍
Invitation Process:
- Existing Techscaler members at early stage, growth stage or scaling stage were invited by email to fill out an application form, as were new Techscaler members at growth and scaling stage. This was done based on information held in our CRM on company stage. We promoted this opportunity by email to our existing members, on social media, to our partners, and also directly reached out to some candidates to encourage them to apply.
- A total of 1,060 contacts were invited to apply, 59 applications were received.

Eligibility and Criteria
Essential criteria
‍- Techscaler membership
- Being a founder / co-founder
- No permanent office or team in Singapore

Assessment and Review
Applicants who match all essential criteria were reviewed by the CodeBase team. They were assessed based on a combination of their application answers and wider information held by Techscaler in their curation/mentorship notes.

Attending Businesses
‍
- Architextures
- BioLiberty 
- CCU International 
- iCreateWords 
- Bank Statement Check
- Konversable 
- Lovat 
- Pasabi 
- TechGrowthSeeker
- Tracker.Health 
- TRIGAN 
- eCERTO

In numbers:
‍
- Participants attending: 12
- CodeBase colleagues attending: 2
- 64 NPS, based on 11 responses completed within 2 weeks of the trip ending
- Average costs per flight: £1318.86
- Average cost per hotel room per night: £94.10

Testimonials

Feedback survey completed by 11 participants within 2 weeks of the trip ending, all providing testimonials.

‍"I would highly recommend the Techscaler Singapore programme to other Scotland-based founders. There are tangible business benefits to be gleaned from this programme in the form of revenue generating business and partner opportunities, not to mention giving founders a first-hand understanding of the APAC market." - Wes Beard, Konversable

"The programme is a great to explore opportunities in the APAC region for potential clients, partners and investors, but also an opportunity to understanding the culture in the region and what setting up in Singapore could look like to support scaling into the region." - Beena Sharma, CCU International

The Techscaler Singapore programme was invaluable for TechGrowthSeeker. It provided direct access to key networks, investors, and industry leaders, helping us refine our strategy and accelerate our expansion into the APAC market. The insights and connections we gained have already opened new doors for growth. I highly recommend it to Scotland-based founders looking to scale globally." - Klaudia Kleczkowska, TechGrowthSeeker 

The Techscaler Singapore programme provided iCreateWords with invaluable insights into scaling a tech-driven business in the APAC region. It connected us with a supportive network of founders, investors, and industry experts, helping us refine our strategy and identify new growth opportunities. Beyond Singapore, the programme has been essential in shaping our approach to expanding into high-growth markets globally. For any Scotland-based founder aiming to scale internationally, this programme offers not just connections, but the knowledge and resources needed to succeed on the global scale." - Nathan Clarke, iCreateWords

"The Techscaler programme was extremely useful for Bioliberty, we made many key connections. Although not currently selling the the APAC region it is important to build relationships early so that we have a network of people to help us when the time is right." - Ross O'Hanlon, BioLiberty

"Participating in the Techscaler Singapore programme was a transformative experience that significantly expanded our international network and provided invaluable insights into the dynamic APAC market. The structured learning sessions, networking opportunities, and exposure to Singapore's vibrant tech ecosystem have been instrumental in accelerating our startup's growth. I highly recommend this programme to fellow Scotland-based founders aiming to scale their ventures globally." - Aakanksha Sadekar, Tracker.Health

"Techscaler Singapore offers a unique lens into a market that operates on an entirely different rhythm compared to Europe or America. The ecosystem here reveals not just a new level of competition but also untapped opportunities you might never encounter elsewhere. It's a place where you can quickly assess whether your segment is crowded or ripe for innovation. Yes, navigating the political, cultural, and legal nuances can be challenging, but these hurdles are far from insurmountable. What truly stood out to me is the emphasis on partnerships—this market thrives on collaboration, and leveraging that insight has reshaped my go-to-market strategy. For any Scotland-based founder looking to expand globally, Singapore is an eye-opener." - Olga Maksimova, Lovat

"Visiting Singapore with Techscaler gave us a deeper understanding of the APAC region beyond what is possible online with our growing community there. Being immersed in the region was invaluable and I'd fully recommend it to other founders." - Ryan Canning, Architextures

"Techscaler Singapore was a fantastic experience to explore an exciting and vibrant city which is a gateway to a region full of opportunity. Dedicating three full weeks allowed me to really expand my network and surface important new opportunities for Pasabi. I highly recommend others to take the opportunity to get involved if they are given the chance." - Chris Downie, Pasabi

"Scottish companies have great opportunities to expand and internationalisation of business is critical to growth and venturing into new markets like Singapore is an opportunity that one should take on head first." - Jamie Hastings, Bank Statement Check

"Unlike most of the other founders on the programme, I had never been to anywhere in Asia before! I've found that new experiences and seeing how things are in different places is valuable in ways its impossible to quantify or qualify. The Techscaler Singapore Programme has put us on a powerful path to greater success and we are enjoying the journey! Thanks team Techscaler!" - Aaron Sarginson, TRIGAN

Lessons Learned‍

‍Face to face culture and conferences were invaluable: Singapore’s emphasis on formal meetings and events like SWITCH created strong opportunities for connections, with founders noting that in person follow ups and repeat meetings built trust and opened doors.

Structured and unstructured time both added value: the mix of official visits (GlobalScot, Eden Hall, ministerial events) and space for founders to run their own meetings across APAC worked well, reinforcing the programme’s pilot aim to test a more structured format while allowing independence.Cohort briefing and prep should go deeper: some founders were unsure how best to frame their businesses for the Singapore market. A stronger pre-departure workshop covering cultural context, pitching styles, and sector-specific nuances would increase effectiveness.

Balance of company stages needs refining: early-stage companies without significant traction struggled to make as much progress, underlining the importance of aligning selection criteria with Singapore’s preference for market-ready solutions. SWITCH ticketing and logistics need tighter planning: several issues arose around ticket access and on-the-ground coordination at the conference. Earlier confirmation of passes and clearer comms with founders would reduce stress and improve value capture. In the future, paid tickets to access some stages may not be necessary.

‍Programme timing reduced access to key stakeholders: running the trip during Diwali and alongside major international events meant some contacts were unavailable, which limited visibility and required extra effort to secure meetings. 

Coordination with partners could be strengthened: useful connections provided by Techscaler partner organisations in the region; for future trips more lead time for this engagement will ensure best outcomes for all participants and support partner organisations.