StartupX

What StartupX does

StartupX (StartupX Pte Ltd) is a Singapore-headquartered, privately held innovation intermediary founded in 2018 that operates a decentralized platform connecting early-stage and growth-stage startups with corporate decision-makers for pilots and partnerships. The company reports a network spanning 250+ corporate partners, 2,000+ startups supported, 700+ facilitated conversations, and 110+ countries, with named flagship programs including the Singapore Tourism Accelerator (Cohort 8, in partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board), the China Scale-Up Program (with Forbes China), and the WAIC FUTURE TECH Pitching Competition (with the World AI Conference).

The core product is an AI-enabled matching platform that facilitates startup-corporate matchmaking and pilot sourcing; this is complemented by advisory services (fundraising, strategy, scaling), corporate innovation services (capability building, intrapreneurship), a market access platform linking startups to hubs in Bangkok, Chongqing, and San Francisco, a global startup database, a tech community with weekly events, and the Founder Mode newsletter.

The business model is professional-services driven across four streams: innovation partnership facilitation, accelerator programs, startup advisory, and market access programs. Pricing is largely freemium (e.g., the Singapore Tourism Accelerator is free to join with pilot co-funding considered case-by-case), with revenue likely generated via enterprise program fees, pilot co-funding margins, advisory retainers, and event sponsorships. The company employs 11–50 people, is led by CEO Durwin Ho alongside CSO Joyce Tay and COO Raymond Doraisamy, and is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or institutional investors in the available data.

Name

StartupX

Legal name

StartupX Pte Ltd

Website

https://thestartupx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

StartupX is a Singapore-based decentralized innovation platform connecting startups with 250+ corporate partners globally through AI-enabled matchmaking, flagship accelerator programs (Singapore Tourism Accelerator, WAIC FUTURE TECH), and market access services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovation and Startup Ecosystem Services

NAICS

Other Computer Related Services (541519), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM), Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC), Customer Experience (CX) & Digital Experience (BPAHAEAC)

Keywords

• Innovation partnership platform
• Startup corporate matchmaking
• Corporate innovation services
• Startup accelerator programs
• Cross border market access

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Innovation Partnership Facilitation: Connects startups with corporate partners for pilots and partnerships, facilitating innovation challenges and direct corporate collaboration across borders and industries.
2. Accelerator Programs: Operates accelerator programs including Singapore Tourism Accelerator (Cohort 8) and China Scale-Up Program, providing market access and pilot opportunities.
3. Startup Advisory Services: Provides guidance on fundraising, operating strategy, pilot development, and scaling preparation through global team of partners and mentors.
4. Market Access Programs: Takes startups to emerging and established startup and technology hubs including Bangkok, Chongqing, and San Francisco to explore growth opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

StartupX operates a decentralized innovation platform that connects startups with 250+ corporate partners through an AI-enabled matching system, facilitating pilot programs, partnerships, and direct collaboration across borders and industries. Its offerings include flagship accelerator programs (Singapore Tourism Accelerator, WAIC FUTURE TECH Pitching Competition, China Scale-Up Program), startup advisory, corporate innovation services, and a global startup database spanning 110+ countries. The company removes barriers between startups and corporates through structured matchmaking, market access to global tech hubs, and a global community of founders and builders.

Product overview

StartupX is a decentralized innovation platform that operates as a service-based ecosystem rather than a unified software product. The core offering is an AI-enabled platform connecting startups with 250+ corporate partners through direct collaboration. This platform is complemented by Startup Advisory services (mentorship on fundraising and scaling), Corporate Innovation Services (digital transformation and intrapreneurship), and a Market Access Platform (connecting startups to global tech hubs). The portfolio also includes flagship programs: the Singapore Tourism Accelerator (STA) for tourism tech pilots, and the WAIC FUTURE TECH Pitching Competition for AI startups. Supporting services include a global startup database (110+ countries), a tech community with weekly events, and the Founder Mode newsletter. Together, these offerings form an integrated innovation ecosystem helping startups connect, collaborate, and scale across borders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Founder Mode: A weekly newsletter for builders and startup founders curated by StartupX, providing startup opportunities, top finds, and tips to grow products and momentum.

Products and services

• AI-Enabled Innovation Platform Decentralised innovation platform that uses AI to match startups with corporate decision-makers, facilitating pilot opportunities, partnerships, and direct collaboration across borders and industries.
• Startup Advisory Guidance on fundraising, operating strategy, pilot development, and scaling preparation delivered by a global team of partners and mentors to help startups reach the next level.
• Corporate Innovation Services Capability building, innovation management, digital transformation, and intrapreneurship programs that help organisations build innovation capabilities for sustainable growth.
• Market Access Platform Platform connecting startups with emerging and established startup and technology hubs globally, from Bangkok to Chongqing to San Francisco, enabling exploration of growth opportunities and new markets.
• Singapore Tourism Accelerator (STA) Flagship innovation program bridging global tech innovators with Singapore's tourism sector through real-world pilot opportunities, industry access, co-funding support, and potential scaling with tourism organisations.
• WAIC FUTURE TECH Pitching Competition Global AI pitching competition offering top AI companies a fully sponsored immersion program to WAIC 2026 in Shanghai, including flights, accommodation, booth space, investor access, and site visits to high-tech industrial parks.
• Founder Mode Newsletter Weekly newsletter for builders providing curated startup opportunities, top finds, and tips to grow product, mindset, and momentum, with archive dating back to May 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ challenges developed annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• World AI Conference (WAIC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026StartupX co-organises the WAIC FUTURE TECH Pitching Competition, China's flagship AI conference bringing together 800+ companies, 1,200+ global experts, and 300,000+ attendees. Top AI companies win fully sponsored immersion program to WAIC 2026 in Shanghai with booth space, investor access, and potential SAIL Award nomination.
• Singapore Tourism Board (STB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTB is a statutory board under Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry. StartupX serves as the appointed innovation partner powering the Singapore Tourism Accelerator program (Tcube), connecting global tech innovators with Singapore's tourism sector for real-world pilot opportunities.
• TcubecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTcube (Tourism Technology Transformation Cube) is STB's single platform bringing together digital initiatives, resources, and thought leadership to support tourism sector's digital transformation. StartupX powers the Singapore Tourism Accelerator through this platform.
• Forbes ChinacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for China Scale-Up Program 2025, opening real market access for Southeast Asian tech founders through engagement with Chinese municipal governments and access to local innovation and industrial leaders.
• Global Corporate Partners (250+)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of over 250 corporate partners connected through innovation platform to address global business challenges across industries and borders. Startups pitch directly to decision-makers ready to pilot and scale solutions.
• Government and Ecosystem NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong government and ecosystem networks across Asia, Europe, Middle East, Oceania and United States enabling cross-border innovation partnerships and market access for startups.
• Academic Institutions and Research InstitutesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation research partnerships and R&D collaborations with various universities and research institutes around the world for academic insights and research-driven innovation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Silicon Valley-headquartered global innovation platform running accelerator programs and corporate-startup matchmaking across multiple verticals and geographies. Directly comparable to StartupX in operating model — running flagship programs, curating startup-corporate pilots, and scaling across regions.
• Techstars: Global accelerator operator running mentorship-driven cohorts and connecting early-stage startups with corporate partners and investors. Comparable to StartupX in accelerator program delivery, startup sourcing depth, and corporate partnership monetisation.
• Antler: Global early-stage VC and accelerator with strong presence in Southeast Asia and Singapore. Comparable to StartupX in running founder-focused programs and providing startup advisory, with overlap in target geographies and corporate partnership-led GTM.
• 500 Global: Multi-stage venture firm and accelerator operating programs across emerging markets including Southeast Asia. Comparable to StartupX in accelerator operations, global startup sourcing database, and corporate partnership facilitation across multiple geographies.
• SOSV: Global venture capital and accelerator operator running vertical-specific programs (e.g., HAX, IndieBio) and matching startups with corporates. Comparable to StartupX in accelerator-as-platform model and corporate pilot facilitation.
• MassChallenge: Global non-profit and for-profit accelerator network running cohort programs and connecting startups with corporate partners. Comparable to StartupX in zero-equity cohort structures, corporate matchmaking, and global operating footprint.
• Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator network operating industry-focused programs with corporate partner sponsorship. Comparable to StartupX in vertical accelerator model, corporate-funded cohort structure, and global multi-hub expansion approach.

Regional players

• NUS Enterprise: National University of Singapore's entrepreneurship arm, operating BLOCK71 and other Singapore-based startup ecosystem programs. Comparable to StartupX as a Singapore-headquartered ecosystem builder with strong government ties and startup-corporate programs.

Broad incumbents

• Capgemini Invent: Global digital transformation and innovation consulting arm of Capgemini, running corporate innovation and intrapreneurship programs for large enterprises. Comparable to StartupX's corporate innovation services and digital transformation offerings, but at far larger scale and as part of a broader portfolio.

Emerging players

• Highperformr (formerly Disruptive Innovation Festival / Collective Intelligence): Corporate innovation and startup collaboration platforms focused on AI-enabled matching and ecosystem orchestration. Comparable to StartupX in AI-driven startup-corporate matchmaking positioning, though typically narrower in geographic scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/the_startupx
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thestartupx
• Facebookfacebook.com/thestartupx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thestartupx
• Instagraminstagram.com/thestartupx

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about StartupX