Singapore University of Technology & Design

What Singapore University of Technology & Design does

Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD) is Singapore's fourth public university, established in 2012 in collaboration with MIT and repositioned in 2025 as the world's first Design·AI university following a S$50 million strategic pivot. The institution offers undergraduate degrees across five pillars (Architecture and Sustainable Design, Design and Artificial Intelligence, Engineering Product Development, Engineering Systems and Design, Information Systems Technology and Design) supported by two foundational clusters (Humanities Arts and Social Sciences, Science Mathematics and Technology), plus a graduate school, the fee-free 42 Singapore coding school, and the SUTD Academy for continuing education. Innovation infrastructure includes the S$35 million DIVE platform, the MariOT industrial-grade cyber-physical maritime cybersecurity training system, the AMI Intelli AI cognitive app for seniors with intellectual disabilities, the Design AI Fab Lab network (including Singapore's first on-site RSAF lab), and the SUTD Venture Fund.

SUTD's revenue derives from four streams: Singapore government base funding and research grants (over S$602 million in external research funding raised since 2010), tuition fees from subsidised undergraduate and graduate programmes, industry-sponsored research collaborations (including a S$34 million MediaTek joint research lab and a S$30 million Built Environment AI Centre of Excellence with the Ministry of National Development), and corporate training and lifelong learning programmes such as the AI Impact Series (targeting 300 enterprises and 1,500 professionals by June 2026 through SGTech and SkillsFuture Singapore). Distribution is hybrid: direct admissions for degree students, SUTD Academy and Workforce Singapore partnerships for mid-career PMETs, and direct enterprise engagement for industry-sponsored research and training.

Technology differentiation rests on the proprietary Design·AI methodology—the first systematic integration of design thinking with AI as a collaborative partner across an entire first-year curriculum (effective AY2026)—and a portfolio of bespoke platforms with no direct global comparables. The institution is led by President Professor Phoon Kok Kwang (appointed to the CAETS Board in 2026), with new Provost and Chief Academic & Innovation Officer Professor Chee Yeow Meng (joined April 2025 from NUS), and a dedicated Office of AI and Digital Innovation under Associate Provost Professor Tony Quek. Outcomes include a 91.5% graduate employment rate within six months, more than one-quarter of faculty ranked in the top 2% of scientists globally, and QS World University Rankings 2027 rank of 266th globally (up 253 places, the most improved university in that edition).

Name

Singapore University of Technology & Design

Legal name

Singapore University of Technology and Design

Website

https://sutd.edu.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Singapore's fourth public university and the world's first Design·AI university, SUTD offers undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programmes integrating design thinking with artificial intelligence. It serves students, enterprises, and government agencies through research collaborations and innovation platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Junior Colleges (6112), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Graduate & Professional School Admissions Exams (GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT) Prep (EDANABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainability, Energy & Environmental (ESG/LEED) Certifications (EDAAANAO)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Design AI university
• Technology degree programmes
• Continuing education training
• Applied research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: SUTD receives substantial government funding as Singapore's fourth public university, including research funding through National Research Foundation and various ministry grants. Has raised more than $602 million in external research funding since 2010.
2. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition fees, application fees, and continuing education course fees.
3. Research Collaborations and Grants: Industry and government-funded research collaborations including S$34 million MediaTek joint research lab, S$30 million Built Environment AI Centre of Excellence, and various industry-sponsored projects.
4. Corporate Training and Professional Development: Revenue from enterprise partnerships such as AI Impact Series training for enterprises, workforce upskilling programmes for PMETs, and corporate AI literacy programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD) is a public research university that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programmes across pillars such as Architecture and Sustainable Design, Engineering Product Development, Engineering Systems and Design, Information Systems Technology and Design, and the Design and Artificial Intelligence (DAI) degree. Beyond degrees, the university sells continuing education through SUTD Academy, runs the 42 Singapore peer-to-peer coding school, and offers enterprise training programmes such as the AI Impact Series, while operating innovation platforms like DIVE, the MariOT cyber-physical training system, and Design AI Fab Labs.

Product overview

Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD) is the world's first Design AI university, offering a unified portfolio of academic programmes and innovation platforms centred on integrating AI with design thinking. The core offerings include undergraduate degree programmes across six pillars (ASD, DAI, EPD, ESD, ISTD, HASS, SMT) and the supercharged DAI programme as Singapore's first technology-humanities integrated degree. Supporting platforms include DIVE (S$35M innovation platform), SUTD Academy (continuing education), 42 Singapore (peer-to-peer coding school), and the MariOT cyber-physical training system. Research infrastructure comprises the AI Centre of Excellence for Built Environment (S$30M), MediaTek-SUTD Joint Research Lab (S$34M), Design AI Fab Labs, and the MariOT cybersecurity facility. Applied AI products include AMI Intelli (AI-powered cognitive app for seniors with intellectual disabilities) and Neural Drive (brain-computer interface wearable). Enterprise offerings include the AI Impact Series and Design AI Executive Programme for workforce upskilling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DIVE: Design·AI Innovation and Venture Exploration platform providing funding and support for students and alumni to encourage entrepreneurial mindset and innovation beyond the classroom
• 42 Singapore
• daVinci@SUTD
• STEAMunity
• STEAMxD Immersion Programme
• DesignZ
• MariOT
• AMI
• Design AI Fab Lab
• Digital Learning Capability Centre (DLCC)

Products and services

• Supercharged Design and AI (DAI) Programme Undergraduate degree programme integrating design thinking and AI with humanities and social sciences; Singapore's first technology-humanities integrated degree, featuring SSI and HI interdisciplinary tracks.
• Architecture and Sustainable Design (ASD) Pillar Undergraduate pillar programme addressing environmental change, urbanisation and resource constraints while focusing on the future of architecture in a digital era.
• Engineering Product Development (EPD) Pillar Undergraduate programme focused on designing, developing and operating innovative, technology-intensive products that transcend traditional disciplines.
• Engineering Systems and Design (ESD) Pillar Undergraduate programme focusing on the design, analysis and management of large-scale complex systems.
• Information Systems Technology and Design (ISTD) Pillar Undergraduate programme integrating Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Information Systems with focus on systems interacting with humans and machines.
• Graduate Programmes (Master and PhD) Master programmes including Architecture, Innovation by Design, Security by Design, Urban Science, plus PhD research opportunities for advanced study and research in design, AI, architecture, urban planning and security.
• SUTD Academy Continuing education arm offering short- and long-term programmes focused on design, AI and technology for professionals seeking lifelong learning.
• 42 Singapore Peer-to-peer learning coding school that is teacher-free, class-free and fee-free, representing an innovative approach to technology education.
• DIVE (Design·AI Innovation and Venture Exploration) Platform S$35 million innovation platform providing students and alumni funding and venture support to encourage entrepreneurial activities, running alongside academic life to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset.
• MariOT Cyber-Physical Training System World's first industrial-grade cyber-physical platform for shipboard cybersecurity training, providing high-fidelity simulations of maritime systems for hands-on practice with potential cyber threats.
• Maritime OT Cybersecurity Programme Two-month corporate training programme combining online learning with in-person training and applied exercises at MariOT testbed, targeting IT professionals in shipping companies; subsidised under SkillsFuture.
• AI Centre of Excellence for the Built Environment S$30 million cross-institutional research centre convened with Ministry of National Development to develop AI solutions addressing built environment sector challenges including manpower shortages and climate change impacts.
• Design AI Fab Lab @ RSAF Singapore's first on-site fast prototyping facility at Republic of Singapore Air Force, focused on AI-driven experimentation and rapid prototyping delivering results in hours and days instead of months and years.
• MediaTek-SUTD Joint Research Lab S$34 million joint research laboratory with MediaTek addressing challenges in communications including non-terrestrial networks, AI-native radio access and sustainable telecommunications infrastructure.
• AI Impact Series Demand-led enterprise programme designed with SUTD to help enterprises define practical business use cases for AI adoption; targeting up to 300 enterprises and 1,500 professionals by June 2026 through SGTech partnership with SkillsFuture subsidies.
• What's Next: Reimagine Your Career Using Design AI Pilot programme helping 500 PMETs aged 50 and above reimagine career paths using career planning and AI tools, fully subsidised by Workforce Singapore for Singaporeans and PRs.
• AMI Intelli AI-powered app combining cognitive games with personalized conversational agents to enhance cognitive and emotional well-being of seniors with intellectual disabilities; built on SUTD's original AMI platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91.5% of students employed within 6 months of graduation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability20 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Tan Tock Seng HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 202618-month clinical trial of Neural Drive brain-computer interface device for paralyzed patients. About 30 inpatients and home-based patients to participate.
• LITEON TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Collaboration with SUTD and its spinoff NeuroRAN to demonstrate AI-RAN innovation at COMPUTEX 2026. Joint demonstration showcased NVIDIA DGX Spark-compatible O-RAN small cell featuring dynamic AI model partitioning for reduced latency, optimized energy consumption, and on-device data processing for 5G edge AI applications.
• Singtel / Ericsson / NCS SingaporemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026MOU with IMDA to pilot quantum-safe technologies for telecommunications infrastructure as part of Singapore's quantum-safe transformation.
• Maritime and Port Authority of SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Launch of Cybersecurity for Maritime Operational Technology programme in August 2026. SUTD's MariOT testbed used for applied exercises. Partnership under broader MOU with Hamburg Port Authority and four universities. Programme targets corporate IT professionals with ~70 participants expected annually.
• Hamburg Port AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026MOU signed during Singapore Maritime Week to strengthen cooperation in maritime cybersecurity. Focus on port cybersecurity systems, unmanned surface vessels, remote ship operations, shipboard OT systems, and ship-shore connectivity. Builds on 2024 letter of intent.
• Yayasan MendakimajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026Partnership to strengthen AI design and digital capabilities for the Malay/Muslim community. Combines MENDAKI's community reach with SUTD's technology expertise.
• Republic of Singapore Air ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Singapore's first on-site fast prototyping Design AI Fab Lab focused on AI-driven experimentation. Delivers results in hours and days instead of months and years. First in series of on-site research labs.
• MediaTekcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026S$34 million joint research lab to address pressing challenges in communications including non-terrestrial networks, AI-native radio access, and sustainable telecommunications infrastructure. Brings together SUTD research expertise with MediaTek's industrial reach.
• Republic of Singapore NavycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026MOU signed to collaborate on training, applied innovation, and talent development. Partnership aims to leverage Design Thinking and AI to solve operational problems and foster interest in naval engineering careers.
• Ministry of National DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2026Launch of S$30 million Built Environment AI Centre of Excellence. Funded through National Research Foundation's RIE funds. Addresses sector challenges including manpower shortages and climate change impacts.
• Bishan Home for Intellectually DisabledmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2025MOU to co-develop AMI Intelli, world's first AI-powered cognitive app for seniors with intellectual disabilities. Builds on SUTD's original AMI platform for dementia prevention.
• Workforce SingaporemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2025Pilot programme 'What's Next: Reimagine Your Career Using Design AI' to help 500 PMETs aged 50+ with career planning and AI tools. Fully subsidized for Singaporeans and PRs.
• Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center SingaporemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2025Donation of IONIQ 5 electric vehicle to support student projects in sustainable mobility and Design AI. Supports Project EVAM (Electric Vehicle by Additive Manufacturing) and automotive Capstone projects.
• Singapore Business FederationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 October 2025Partnership to widen reach of AI Impact Series to more companies through ecosystem collaboration.
• Singapore's C-Suite Leaders (16 executives)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2025Distinguished Professorial Fellows and C-Suites-in-Residence programme including leaders from SPH Media, ST Engineering, Surbana Jurong, Singapore Airlines, CAAS, SingHealth, JTC, StarHub, Delta Electronics. Mentoring next generation and guiding curriculum.
• SGTechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2025AI Impact Series to boost AI business application skills. Aims to benefit up to 300 enterprises and 1,500 professionals by June 2026. SUTD delivers the programme as Skills Development Partner appointed by SkillsFuture Singapore.
• GrabminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 September 2025Ecosystem partner for AI Impact Series widening reach to SME partners. GrabAcademy committed to empowering partners with AI capabilities.
• SkillsFuture Singapore / IMDAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2025Government partners supporting AI Impact Series as Skills Development Partner initiative. IMDA supports AI upskilling through Skills Framework for ICT.
• National Library BoardminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2025Partnership to strengthen community co-creation and lifelong learning experiences through academic and research expertise combined with NLB resources.
• CertismajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Strategic partnership to accelerate AI literacy and professional growth for security professionals. Equips frontline personnel with latest digital skills.
• AI SingaporemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2025Partnership to build AI engineering talent pipeline for industry needs, supporting education and development of AI talent in Singapore.
• Singapore Maritime InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2025Supported development of MariOT cyber-physical training facility for shipboard cybersecurity, world's first industrial-grade platform of its kind.
• Centre for Liveable CitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2025MOU to foster collaborations addressing urbanisation challenges including climate action, health and well-being, and urban liveability.
• Singapore Management UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2025Joint deployment of drone and AI-driven analytics to improve performance of national swimmers. Analyzes stroke duration, velocity, and body symmetry in real-time.
• Granite AsiamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Ms Jenny Lee, Senior Managing Partner, appointed as first Distinguished Professorial Fellow. Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women. Mentors students and works with faculty on curriculum development.
• National University of SingaporemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2025First Joint PhD programme between two local universities. Also collaboration on AI grading tools and various research initiatives.
• Singapore University of Technology and Design / AI Singapore / Alibaba DAMO / SEA AI LabmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2025Southeast Asian LLM development including SEA-LION, SeaLLM, Sailor models. SUTD contributed to Sailor model development for regional languages and reducing Western AI bias.
• Tianjin Eco-CityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2024Launch of SERIC (Eco-City Research and Innovation Centre) to drive sustainable urban development solutions.
• CertismajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2024AI literacy and digital mastery partnership for security industry professionals and frontline personnel.
• Defence Science and Technology AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2015Collaborative projects to deliver transformational capabilities for Singapore's defence and security through design innovation.
• American Bureau of ShippingmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2013ABS-MPA Maritime Technology Professorship programme at SUTD with funding up to S$12.5 million.
• Massachusetts Institute of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 February 2012SUTD-MIT International Design Centre joint research facility at both universities. Foundational collaboration establishing SUTD's design-focused approach.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Singapore Management University (SMU): Singapore's fourth public university and direct domestic competitor. Partner with SUTD on joint AI analytics projects (national swimmer performance) but competes for Singapore-based students and corporate training mandates across enterprise AI upskilling.
• ETH Zurich: Europe's leading science and technology university with strong architecture and design programmes; competes with SUTD for top international STEM talent and offers comparable engineering-systems depth. Globally ranked but with similar public-university orientation.
• Imperial College London: UK's leading technology and engineering university with comparable focus on engineering systems, design, and emerging technology education. Competes with SUTD for international student applications and faculty talent in similar disciplines.
• National University of Singapore (NUS): Singapore's flagship public university and SUTD's most direct domestic competitor for Singaporean students, faculty, and research grants. Recently partnered with SUTD on the first Joint PhD programme; Singapore's Provost/CAIO joined SUTD from NUS. Consistently ranks in the global top 15.
• Nanyang Technological University (NTU): Singapore's second public university and direct competitor for top Singaporean students and engineering/design talent. Strong in engineering and architecture with comparable applied research orientation. Competes with SUTD for corporate partnership and government grant funding in Singapore.

Regional players

• KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology): South Korea's leading technology university with strong AI research and design programmes. Regional comparable for the Asian technology-university model with government backing; serves as benchmark for SUTD's regional positioning in Asia.
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay): India's leading technology institute with established design school (IDC School of Design). Comparable regional technology-university model with design integration, providing a regional benchmark for SUTD's broader Asia footprint strategy.

Broad incumbents

• Stanford University: Global leader in technology education and design thinking (Hasso Plattner Institute of Design / d.school). Comparable through pioneering AI/design integration and deep Silicon Valley industry partnerships, but at vastly larger scale and brand recognition.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Founding partner of SUTD; world-leading technology university whose design thinking methodology directly influenced SUTD's curriculum. The 2012 International Design Centre joint research facility anchors the relationship. Operates at materially larger scale but shares SUTD's design + technology positioning.
• Carnegie Mellon University: Pioneer in AI and design education through the School of Computer Science and School of Design. Comparable through long-standing AI/design research leadership and applied-industry model; operates at substantially larger scale than SUTD.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sutdsg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SUTDSingapore
• Facebookfacebook.com/sutdsingapore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/singapore-university-of-technology-and-design-sutd-
• Instagraminstagram.com/sutdsg
• TikToktiktok.com/@sutd_sg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Singapore University of Technology & Design