Key Takeaways
- The Kajima Startup CoLab program launches in Singapore to boost innovation in the built environment sector through global startup collaboration.
- Kajima Corporation connects eight selected startups with real-world projects to test and refine their solutions.
- Focus areas include sustainability, productivity, safety, and smart infrastructure, offering equity-free funding and mentorship.
- Startups will collaborate with Kajima teams to pilot technologies in live projects, aiming to accelerate commercialization.
- The program signifies a shift toward open innovation in construction, creating responsive and sustainable practices through technology integration.
The Kajima Startup CoLab program is officially launching in Singapore. This signals a major push to accelerate innovation in the built environment sector through global startup collaboration.
A New Platform for Built Environment Startups
Kajima Corporation, through its innovation hub The GEAR, unveiled the Startup CoLab program at GITEX Asia. The initiative is designed to connect promising startups with Kajima’s regional operations and real-world project sites.
The program will select eight startups globally, divided into two cohorts. These startups will gain direct access to Kajima’s ecosystem. This access enables them to test and refine their solutions in active construction and infrastructure environments. Applications are open until July 11 for the first intake. Meanwhile, the second batch will be finalized by August 8.
How the Kajima Startup CoLab Program Supports Innovation
The Kajima Startup CoLab program focuses on four key areas: sustainability, productivity, safety, and smart infrastructure. Selected startups will receive equity-free grant funding. They will also receive mentorship and access to advanced testbed facilities at The GEAR campus in Changi Business Park.
A key advantage of the program is its integration with live projects. Startups will collaborate directly with Kajima teams, regulators, and industry partners to pilot their technologies under real-world conditions.
This hands-on approach aims to accelerate commercialization, helping startups move from concept to deployment faster than traditional incubator models. High-potential startups may also secure follow-on investment from Kajima Ventures, the company’s venture capital arm.
Real-World Impact and Industry Collaboration
The program builds on Kajima’s earlier residency initiative run with Rainmaking APAC, which concluded in March 2024. One standout participant, ConcreteAI, demonstrated a real-time concrete monitoring system that reduced construction cycle time by 30 percent.
Such results highlight the practical value of embedding startups within live construction workflows. In these workflows, innovations can deliver measurable efficiency, cost, and sustainability gains.
Startup CoLab is also supported by a strong network of public and academic partners. These include JTC Corporation, Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority, Enterprise Singapore, ACE.SG, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, and Singapore Management University.
Why This Matters for the Future of Construction
The Kajima Startup CoLab program reflects a growing shift in the construction and infrastructure sector toward open innovation. By combining startup agility with enterprise-scale resources, Kajima aims to tackle long-standing challenges in building processes, operational efficiency, and environmental impact.
According to Luke Wu, managing director of The GEAR, the goal is to create more responsive environments, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable practices through close collaboration with emerging technologies.
This model could set a new standard for how large construction firms engage with startups to drive meaningful industry transformation.
Conclusion:
The Kajima Startup CoLab program positions Singapore as a key hub for built environment innovation. It offers startups a rare opportunity to test and scale solutions in real-world settings. Stay updated as the first cohort takes shape.
