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• Two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) will strengthen Thales’ engagement with the startup ecosystem in Singapore.
• With the support of EDB and EnterpriseSG, Thales will connect innovative Singaporean startups involved in key tech domains including AI, cybersecurity, quantum, digital identity, aerospace and space to its own ecosystem for mutual benefit.
• Through the Thales Trust My Tech (TMT) global startup business acceleration programme, the startups will be able to leverage Thales’ deep-tech expertise and mentorship and accelerate Proof-of-Concept development to real-world challenge statements in multiple topics, thereby strengthening Singapore’s vibrant startup and SME landscape.
Thales has invested in its industrial and technological footprint in Singapore for over 50 years from the establishment of aerospace activities in 1973 to the launch of cortAIx, Thales’ AI accelerator, in 2025. As the Group continues evolving as a deep-tech company with innovation in AI, cybersecurity and quantum technologies, Thales now deepens its involvement in the startup ecosystem with the following partnerships:
1. Thales’ Trust My Tech programme partners with EDB’s Corporate Venture Launchpad (CVL) to strengthen local startups
EDB enables companies to deepen their innovation footprint in Singapore by striking win-win collaborations with leading startups. From a capability building standpoint, the CVL programme brings corporates and startups together for effective collaboration, with an aim to deliver future commercial success. By helping corporates enhance processes and capabilities, and pairing them with high-quality startups, the Launchpad provides an effective platform for established technology providers to bring expertise that can stimulate the local startup ecosystem.
Trust My Tech (TMT) is Thales’ global business acceleration programme that offers collaboration with aspiring startups and SMEs desiring to scale and expand internationally. Through the CVL partnership, Thales will partner with Plug and Play Tech Centre, a global leader in corporate innovation, startup ecosystem building and venture capital. Plug and Play and the TMT team, supported by EDB, will work with startups involved in a broad range of deep-tech domains in the one-year programme. These include topics on AI, cybersecurity, communications, digital identity, aerospace & space, sustainability, fintech, regulatory technology and emerging technologies like quantum and more.
2. Thales collaborates with EnterpriseSG’s Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) to accelerate technology innovation with startups
Rapid test-bedding and commercialisation is critical for startups to gain market traction and scale internationally. Through the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), EnterpriseSG works with partners to connect Singapore-based startups and tech SMEs to global innovation ecosystems and market expansion opportunities across more than 50 countries.
To better support Singapore-based startups and enable them to access differentiated support along their internationalisation journey, EnterpriseSG launched the “Grow” pathway, as part of the expanded scope for GIA2030 in February this year, to provide access to specialised partnerships to support overseas expansion, deeper market penetration, and technology maturation.
A new partnership under this programme was sealed in a Memorandum-of-Understanding signed on 29th April, to enable selected Singapore startups to work closely with Thales’ global businesses to develop proof-of-concepts aligned to real-world business needs accelerating technology validation and opening clearer routes to international markets. In addition, Thales will support selected startups through overseas learning expeditions, providing specialised access to experts, facilities and networks to support their international expansion.
“Building a vibrant startup ecosystem and corporate innovation landscape is a priority for Singapore. Thales’ latest collaboration with EDB’s Corporate Venture Launchpad and EnterpriseSG’s Global Innovation Alliance support these efforts by bringing corporates and startups together to co-innovate, test solutions, and accelerate commercial traction in the deep-tech domains like AI and quantum. These partnerships are key in helping to connect startups to opportunities within Singapore and to markets beyond. We welcome more companies to partner our local startups in driving innovation and unlocking new growth frontiers, which will be key to strengthen Singapore’s global competitiveness.” Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Trade & Industry and National Development.
“Thales has been deepening its expertise in technologies like AI, cyber, quantum and cloud, including developing home-grown solutions and engaging in upstream research in Singapore. The support and partnership from EDB and EnterpriseSG are invaluable, and these two new agreements will enable us to extend our support to Singapore’s fast-growing startup scene. While we have the depth of expertise, there is also much we can learn from these dynamic companies on how they develop, test and scale. Such collaborations serve to strengthen Singapore as a global leader in innovation and tech.” Emily Tan, Chief Executive & Country Director, Thales in Singapore.
Thales is exhibiting at the Milipol TechX Summit from 28-30 April. To find out more about Thales in Singapore, please go to: Thales in Singapore | Thales Group.
About Thales
Thales (thales.com) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps address several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.
The Group allocates €4.5 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Cloud technologies.
Thales has more than 85,000 employees in 65 countries. In 2025, the Group generated sales of €22.1 billion.
About Thales in Singapore
Thales established its presence in Singapore in 1973 to support the growth of aerospace activities in Asia. Since then, it has grown to be a leading deep-tech company operating in the Aeronautics (including avionics and air traffic management), Defence, Public Security, Cybersecurity & Digital Identity sectors. Thales in Singapore runs global industrial operations for avionics and digital identity solutions and has a strong commitment to Research, Technology and Innovation, with Centres of Excellence for avionics, defence, inflight entertainment, naval drones, public security, radars and space. With over 2000 employees across four locations, Thales is actively supporting Singapore in driving its digital transformation and Smart Nation ambitions.
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