Deep SAGE

Scale your startup globally with

expert strategy, C-suite support, and funding

Application closes 31 May 2026.

Apply Now
Programme Menu

About The Programme

The Deep SAGE Programme (Deep-Tech, Seed to Series A Growth Expansion) is a strategic collaboration between NUS Enterprise, BLOCK71, and TIS Inc., designed to support high-potential startups in navigating the critical transition from early traction to scalable growth.

What differentiates Deep SAGE is its Fractional C-suite model, providing founders with targeted, on-demand access to senior operators and domain experts, without the burden of full-time hires. This ensures startups receive the right expertise at the right stage, whether refining strategy, strengthening execution, or addressing key growth challenges.

Programme

Benefits

Fractional C-Suite Support

Work alongside senior-level expertise for 12 weeks as our fractional CXOs guide you on:
 

  • Strategic input across growth, operations, finance, and market expansion
  • Practical, execution-focused guidance tailored to each startup’s stage

Find personalised 1:1 mentorship from industry veterans and successful entrepreneurs.

 

Founders are carefully matched with mentors based on their unique industry, business stage, and growth challenges. This ensures that every session delivers targeted, actionable strategies and insights that address your specific needs, helping you navigate obstacles and accelerate your growth.

Seize up to S$500,000 in funding and connect with investors to fuel your growth.

 

Standout startups will be selected by TIS based on quality and market fit—stay driven to secure investment and accelerate your success. (2+ start-ups selected out of 10)

Accelerate your expansion with tailored growth frameworks and international scaling strategies.

 

Gain the resources and connections needed to scale and accelerate, with access to BLOCK71’s 11 global entrepreneurial hubs and an extensive network to unlock new markets and fuel your growth.

Tap into the unparalleled network of NUS Enterprise and BLOCK71, powered by NUS, the #1 university in Asia and #8 worldwide. Connect with a thriving ecosystem of researchers, industry experts, and global partners like TIS, one of Japan’s top systems integrators.

 

Join a community of like-minded founders, gain access to specialised expertise, and unlock global networks and opportunities to scale your startup.

Fractional CXOs

Seasoned leaders at your fingertips.

Hear from our previous cohort:

Isidora Andrade
ex-Country Manager,
Examedi (YC S21)
Fractional CSO

Unlike many funds that focus only on capital, Deep SAGE delivers real guidance through a structured programme and experienced mentors. Combined with motivated early-stage founders, this is what creates meaningful impact.

Ian Fry Astorga
Co-Founder & CEO
at Vita

Isidora was instrumental in helping us step back from the day-to-day and see the bigger picture. She helped define where to focus our efforts, identify quick wins, and build the kind of structure that actually moves the needle. From sharpening our go-to-market strategy to redesigning how we acquire and retain clients, she brought clarity to both our growth engine and our overall direction.

Lawrence Chua
ex-Head of Business Operations & Enablement, Workato & ByteDance
Fractional CRO

Deep SAGE paired me with exceptional founders focusing on relentless execution. Working with a highly capable founder like Suwira from Aleph Technologies translated directly into sharper go-to-market execution and successful penetration into key target customers.

Suwira Teo
Co-Founder & CEO
at Aleph Technologies

Lawrence has been highly proactive and instrumental in supporting Aleph through a critical deal, consistently providing valuable guidance and hands-on support. His commitment and strategic input have made a meaningful impact on our progress and confidence throughout the process.

Giacomo Ficari
Director of International GTM, Moonshot AI (Kimi) & ex-Co-Founder, Aspire (YC W18)
Fractional CMO

The early days in the founders’ journey are critical, and having the right and candid support is essential to learn fast and unlock momentum. Deep SAGE delivers this in a very tangible way. It’s great to see how eager and talented founders are. And the remarkable personal and business growth they show over the program.

Claudio Perlini
Co-Founder & CEO
at Sembuh AI

Deep SAGE was a turning point for us. We started with only a rough problem hypothesis, and through the fractional CxO support with Giacomo, we clarified where to focus, validated the real pain point, and translated it into an executable solution. That structured guidance directly helped us move from concept to first signed contracts.

They’ve built it with BLOCK71. 

Now they’re here for you to do the same.

Mentors

Programme Timeline

Screening & Selection

Application: 6 Apr – 31 May

Selection: 1 Jun – 20 Jul

Shortlisting & Onboarding

Finalists Announcement: 21 July 2026

Programme Kick-off: September 2026

Structured Programme

12-weeks programme with dedicated

mentors:  Sep 2026 – Nov 2026

Fostering Growth

Fractional CXOs Support: Jan 2027 – Mar 2027

Demo Day

April 2027

Global Access, Lasting Support

Free incubation at BLOCK71 Singapore: 
Apr 2027 – Sep 2027

Challenge Eligibility

To qualify for Deep SAGE 2026, your startup must:

Sector Relevance
  1. Enterprise Software Solutions:
    • Enterprise software (ERP, CRM, SaaS platforms)
    • AI applied to Enterprise
    • AI for Enterprise Automation
    • AI for Operations (AIOps, MLOps)
    • Industry-Specific AI (Health, Finance, Manufacturing, etc)
  2. Emerging & Deep Tech:
    • Robotics
    • High Performance Computing (HPC), including Quantum Computing
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Neural Networks, Generative AI, AGI
    • Data Platforms, Analytics, Data Engineering
  3. Industry-Focused Disruptive solutions:
    • Healthtech
    • Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) & Retail Solutions
    • Manufacturing & Industrial Systems
    • Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI)
    • Logistics & Mobility
    • Smart Cities & Urban Infrastructure
    • Energy & CleanTech
    • SpaceTech
  • Possess a developed solution or concept that has gained market traction or exhibits clear potential, whether in prototype form or as a finished product.
  • Demonstrate strong potential for global market expansion and commercialisation.

Your startup has not gone through a Series A or later funding round.

Have a legal entity in any country, and be prepared to incorporate in Singapore within six months of the programme.

If this sounds like you, you’re exactly why Deep SAGE 2026 returned for our second year.

Apply Now

Programme Advisors

Senthil Kumaran
Director
TIS Inc. (Singapore)

Senthil Kumaran invests in early-stage technology companies at TIS Inc., backing founders building scalable, category-defining businesses. With over two decades of experience across Asia’s key growth markets, he brings an operator’s perspective shaped by leading large-scale enterprise transformations including managing a half-billion-dollar technology portfolio. His investment focus spans enterprise ERP, CRM to emerging technologies like AI, IoT, RPA, and quantum computing, with a strong emphasis on businesses that can achieve durable scale and long-term strategic relevance. Through Deep SAGE, he works closely with Seed to Series A founders at critical inflection points, supporting them in refining strategy and building the foundations for enduring market leadership.

Yew Hock Meng
Managing Director
Wonwey Pte Ltd

With over two decades of experience in the telecommunications industry, Yew Hock Meng is a distinguished expert in innovation and entrepreneurial consulting. As a Faculty Instructor for the Master of Science in Venture Creation at the National University of Singapore (NUS), he plays a pivotal role in nurturing entrepreneurship and providing mentorship in business development. His involvement underscores his commitment to empowering future entrepreneurs and fostering innovative ventures, leveraging his extensive background to guide aspiring business leaders.

Deep SAGE 2025 Cohort

FAQs

Is there a fee involved?

There are no fees, and no equity is taken to join the programme.

A few hours per week is the minimum, but active participation is key—founders should dedicate significant time to drive their startup’s growth.

Your company must be incorporated in any country at the time of application. If it is not incorporated in Singapore, you will need to do so within six months of the programme’s start.

In-person attendance is strongly encouraged. For overseas startups, it’s mandatory to attend both the kick-off and demo day in person. The rest of the programme offers a flexible hybrid format to accommodate international participants.

Yes. TIS will select outstanding startups for potential investment of up to S$500K, based on quality and market fit.

TIS takes a collaborative approach. Investment terms are determined through mutual agreement between the startup and TIS.

Mentors are matched based on industry, business stage, and specific challenges. When the programme begins, an initial interview will be conducted to ensure the right fit for tailored guidance.

Think of Fractional C-Suite leaders as your startup’s strategic partners—experienced CFOs, CMOs, COOs, and more who step in part-time to guide you through critical growth stages. They work alongside you, bringing high-level expertise without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.

While mentors provide valuable advice, share experiences, and offer strategic insights, fractional C-suite leaders take a more hands-on approach. They become integral members of your leadership team, executing strategies, setting clear deliverables, and directly contributing to your business’s growth. Mentors help you navigate decisions and open doors through their networks, whereas fractional C-suite executives actively work alongside you to drive change and achieve milestones.

Outreach Events

A Powerhouse Collaboration for Startups

BLOCK71 isn’t just another startup space. This is a launchpad for founders who dare to do things differently.

Part of NUS Enterprise and backed by industry and government partners, BLOCK71 powers startup success with incubation, mentorship, and a global network access.

Since 2011, more than 1,600 startups have taken off with BLOCK71 across Singapore, the U.S, China, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Build what’s next.

Welcome to the Home of the Brave.

TIS Inc., a member of the member of the TIS INTEC Group, provides IT solution services, including system integration and entrusted development as well as service-style IT solutions, such as data center and cloud services.

Concurrently, the company contributes to the growth of client businesses through the establishment of a global support network centering in China and the ASEAN region and more than 3,000 business partners in various industries, such as financial services, manufacturing, distribution and services, public sector services and telecommunications.

NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS), plays a pivotal role in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship at NUS and beyond.

We actively promote entrepreneurship and cultivate global mind-sets and talents through the synergies of experiential learning, active industry partnerships, holistic entrepreneurship support and catalytic entrepreneurship outreach.

Our initiatives and global connections support a range of entrepreneurial journeys and foster ecosystem building in new markets. We provide expertise and connections to create successful spin-offs and translate innovations into the marketplace through industry collaboration. These initiatives augment and complement the University’s academic programmes and act as a unique bridge to industry well beyond Singapore’s shores.

Build traction. Drive revenue. Unlock funding.

Apply Now

For all enquires regarding the programme, please email to singapore@block71.co.

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