Kajima Corporation’s innovation hub, The GEAR, has launched the Startup CoLab program at GITEX Asia, marking the start of its latest effort to drive innovation in the built-environment sector. Hosted in Singapore, the accelerator will pair eight global startups with Kajima’s regional business units and live project sites.
Built around four pillars—sustainability, productivity, safety, and intelligent infrastructure—the program provides equity‑free grants, mentorship, and access to The GEAR’s test‑bed facilities at Changi Business Park. It’s designed to help startups commercialise innovations in construction workflows, building management, and occupant well-being. High‑potential projects can also pursue equity investment through Kajima Ventures, the company’s corporate venture arm.
The eight startups will be divided into two cohorts. Applications will be accepted until July 11 for the first group (confirmed by that date) and until August 8 for the second.
Uniquely, the program embeds startups within Kajima’s live projects and engages regulatory bodies, allowing participants to pilot their technologies under real‑world conditions, accelerating the journey from concept to market far beyond what traditional incubators can offer.
Luke Wu, Managing Director of The GEAR, explains that the program is designed to push innovation forward by collaborating closely with startups to create “more productive processes, occupant‑responsive environments, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable practices.”
“We’re committed to shaping the future of our industry by uniting ideas, technology, and expertise to deliver lasting impact,” Wu said.
Startup CoLab builds on Kajima’s previous residency program at The GEAR, which was run in collaboration with Rainmaking APAC, a venture studio. Concluding in March 2024, the initiative showcased eight startups, including Concreteai, which created a real-time concrete monitoring system. The startup’s proof‑of‑concept deployments at Kajima sites reduced cycle time by 30%, highlighting potential cost and carbon savings.
In addition to Kajima’s infrastructure and capital support, the program is backed by a network of public and academic partners. These include industry players like JTC Corporation and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), as well as network collaborators such as Enterprise Singapore, ACE-ACE-SG, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP), and the Singapore Management University.
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