Header photo courtesy of The GEAR by Kajima.
The GEAR by Kajima Corporation has announced the launch of the Startup CoLab program at GITEX Asia, marking a new push by the Japanese engineering and construction group to accelerate innovation in the built environment sector. The program, which will be hosted in Singapore, aims to connect eight selected startups from around the world with Kajima’s regional business units and project sites.
Structured around sustainability, productivity, safety, and smart infrastructure, the program offers equity-free grant funding, mentorship, and access to testbed facilities at The GEAR’s campus in Changi Business Park. The initiative focuses on commercializing solutions that address challenges in construction processes, building operations, and occupant wellbeing. Selected projects with investment potential may also be eligible to seek equity financing from Kajima Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Kajima.
The target cohort of eight startups will be split into two equally sized intakes, with applications open until July 11. According to a preliminary schedule released by Kajima, the first intake will be confirmed by that date, while the second will be finalized by August 8.
A distinguishing feature of the program is its integration with live projects and regulatory bodies. Startups will work alongside Kajima’s teams and industry stakeholders to pilot technologies under real-world conditions. This, Kajima says, will help move innovations from concept to market more rapidly and credibly than traditional startup incubators.
Luke Wu, managing director of The GEAR, said the program aims to push the boundaries of innovation by working hand-in-hand with emerging startups to develop “more productive processes, occupant-responsive environments, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable practices.”
“We aim to shape the future of our sector by bridging ideas, technology, and industry expertise in a way that creates lasting impact,” Wu added.
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Startup CoLab builds on Kajima’s residency program at The GEAR, which was run in partnership with venture studio Rainmaking APAC. Concluded in March 2024, the initiative featured a slate of eight startups, including ConcreteAI, which developed a real-time concrete monitoring system. The homegrown startup’s proof-of-concept deployments at Kajima sites reportedly reduced cycle time by 30% and demonstrated the potential for significant cost and carbon savings.
While Kajima provides infrastructure and capital support, the program is also backed by a coalition of public and academic partners. These include industry stakeholders such as JTC Corporation and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), as well as network partners comprising Enterprise Singapore, ACE.SG, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP), and the Singapore Management University.