BLOCK71 SINGAPORE
Summer Cohort 2025 - Special Track
Deep SAGE
What's Deep SAGE?
In collaboration with NUS Enterprise, BLOCK71, and TIS Inc., Deep SAGE is a 12-month growth journey designed for Seed to Pre-Series A tech startups.
We’ll fast-track your success by helping you build a solid foundation for long-term growth, combining C-suite expertise , hands-on mentorship, and funding opportunities.
We Help You Scale Smarter
Achieving Milestones with Precision
A results-driven programme designed to help you hit measurable milestones at every stage of your startup journey.
C-Suite Expertise
to Fuel Your Growth
Supercharge your startup with expertise from top-tier C-suite leaders as your Fractional CXOs—whether you need a CFO for financial strategy, a CMO for growth, or a COO to scale operations.
Whatever your business needs, the right expert will be by your side to help you grow.
The Right Resources, at the Right Time
A structured programme with strategic phases that guide you through key challenges—whether it’s scaling your operations or expanding globally.
We break down every hurdle, so you can focus on what matters: growth.
Why choose Deep SAGE?
Direct C-suite Support
Get more than advice—our fractional CXOs work alongside you for 12 weeks to execute strategies, tackle challenges, and drive growth.
It’s like having seasoned professionals guiding your team through every step.
Highly Curated Mentorship
Receive 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.
Exclusive Funding & Investment Access
Seize up to S$500K in funding and connect with investors to fuel your growth.
Powerful Go-to-Market & Scaling Boost
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.
Unmatched Incubation & Ecosystem Edge
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.
Seasoned leaders at your fingertips. Our Fractional C-Suites
Mark Mullinix
Fractional
Chief Revenue Officer
Over the past 12 years, Mark has built and scaled new ventures—from founding his own consultancy to launching Singapore’s largest loyalty coalition. Now, as Chief Revenue Officer at Heymax.ai, he leverages his diverse expertise to help startups foster customer and employee loyalty, forge strategic partnerships, and expand into new markets.
Sandeep Pal
Fractional
Chief Revenue Officer
With over 30 years of experience, Sandeep is the Founder of FlexxCMO, where he serves as a fractional CMO to companies looking to scale or modernise their marketing functions. He specialises in growth-driven ‘Brand to Demand’ strategies, focusing on revenue impact, cost optimisation, and execution to help companies align marketing with business goals and scale globally.
They've built it. Now they're here for you. Our Mentors
Bryan Chua
Co-Founder and ex-CTO of ShopBack, CTO of Digital China Group
A 3x startup entrepreneur and engineering leader, Bryan brings deep expertise in AI, DevOps, and security, helping startups navigate tech challenges and scale their products.
Lucas Ngoo
Co-Founder and ex-CTO of Carousell, now building in AI Healthcare
With deep expertise in engineering, AI, and scaling operations, Lucas helps startups refine their tech, grow their teams, and bring innovative products to market.
Your Journey to Success
31 May 2025
Last Day of Applications
Application window is open now till 31 May 2025.
June 2025
Assessment and Selection
Shortlisted startups will undergo an interview to evaluate their potential and market readiness.5.
July 2025
12-month Journey Begins
October 2025
C-Suite Leadership In Action
For three months, top fractional CXOs join the startups, driving strategy, execution, and growth—on top of the ongoing programme.
Application window is open now till 31 May 2025.
January 2026
January 2026
Your Next Milestone: Scale with Global Power
Startups continue their growth with six months of incubation at BLOCK71 Singapore, leveraging the global networks and initiatives of both BLOCK71 and NUS Enterprise.
From investor pitches and masterclasses to market immersions and industry connections, they expand their reach, refine their strategies, and accelerate their growth.
Are you the one for us?
To qualify for Deep SAGE, your startup must:
- Focus on one or more of the following areas:
- Enterprise Software Solutions
- Emerging Tech
- Robotics
- High Performance Computing, including Quantum Computing
- Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Generative AI
- Data Mining
- Disruptive Solutions
- HealthTech
- FMCG
- EduTech
- Manufacturing
- BFSI
- Logistics & Mobility
- Smart Cities
- 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.
- Not have 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 if selected.
FAQ
Is there a fee or equity involved?
What is the commitment?
A few hours per week is the minimum, but active participation is key—founders should dedicate significant time to drive their startup’s growth.
Can I apply if my company is not incorporated?
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.
Is in-person attendance required for the entire programme?
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.
Will I have an opportunity to secure funding?
If selected by TIS, what are the investment terms?
How are founders paired with mentors?
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.
What is a fractional C-suite?
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.
What is the difference between a fractional C-suite and a mentor?
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.
Can I apply for both BLOCK71 Summer Cohort's General and Special Tracks?
No, applicants may only apply for one track.
This Special Track is exclusive to the Summer Cohort and includes general incubation support, so no separate application is needed. If your startup doesn’t align with Deep SAGE’s industry focus, you can apply for the General Track, which is industry-agnostic and available in every cohort.
Missed our Info Sessions?
Watch the recording for Deep SAGE Info Session Here.
A Powerhouse Collaboration for Startups
Organising Partners
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.
BLOCK71 is an initiative by NUS Enterprise in collaborative and strategic partnerships with established corporates and government agencies. It is a technology-focused ecosystem builder and global business connector which catalyses and aggregates the start-up community, as well as spearheads new initiatives and provides mentorship and growth opportunities in local and global markets. BLOCK71 has supported the growth of 1600+ startups since its establishment in 2011 and has developed presence in 6 countries: Singapore, United States, China, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam.
TIS, a 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.