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BLOCK71 SINGAPORE

Summer  Cohort 2025 - Special Track


Deep SAGE


Scale your startup globally with
expert strategy, C-suite support, and funding

Apply Now

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

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Achieving Milestones
with Precision

A results-driven programme designed to help you hit measurable milestones at every stage of your startup journey.

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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.
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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?

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.

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.

Seize up to S$500K 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.

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.

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.

Chris Laxton

Fractional
Chief Finance Officer


With extensive Big 4 audit experience and hands-on financial leadership, Chris is the Founder of Foundational, serving as a fractional CFO to startups. Having successfully led multiple equity and debt raises, he specialises in optimising financial operations and guiding startups through key financial milestones.

Sandeep Pal

Fractional
Chief Marketing 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.

July 2025

12-month Journey Begins 

Startups embark on an intensive phase of learning, strategy, and execution through a structured curriculum and mentorship—building momentum before fractional CXOs join in October.

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.

January 2026

Demo Day: The World Awaits 

Startups take the stage to unveil their breakthrough solutions, pitch to investors, and unlock new opportunities for funding and partnerships.

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

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.

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.

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.

A Powerhouse Collaboration for Startups

Organising Partners

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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.



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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.



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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.



About the General track (Industry Agnostic)

The General track is also known/ previously known as our (BLOCK71) flagship Pathways Program - A bridging program that provides entrepreneurs with essential resources, mentorship, and growth opportunities within a supportive ecosystem. This 10-Week program allows startups to customize their learning experience by selecting specific modules that best suit their needs, rather than following a comprehensive curriculum..

Register Now
Register Now

For all enquires regarding the programme, please email programmes@block71.co. Follow BLOCK71 Singapore on Instagram and LinkedIn for latest programme updates!

Click here for the FAQs