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Technology for Sustainable Social Impact (TS2)
Cohort Startups 2024

By NUS Enterprise and the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE

The 2024 Call for Submissions has closed. Watch this space for our next call for the 2025 cohort


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APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Raising the next
generation of Singapore
social impact enterprises

Differentiated by a highly customised venture development approach and small cohort size, the TS2 accelerator programme aims to empower bold, innovative impact-driven ventures to develop pathways to sustainable growth. During the 10-week programme, start-up founders and their management teams will work with a rich network of mentors, investors and impact professionals to scale their businesses and amplify their social impact.

TS2 is for technology start-ups that create human-centred social impact in Singapore. Start-ups with varying levels of technological engagement are eligible, ranging from deep tech to light and low tech.

Meet the TS2 2024 cohort

MADCash is a socially-conscious fintech that blends education and fintech to support underbanked and vulnerable women. 

Company Description

"MADCash is a combination of edutech and shariyah compliant fintech based in Malaysia and we work with women entrepreneurs (most are nano/micro businesses) in the lower income brackets to develop financial literacy and grow their businesses to improve their financial stability.
We do this through a combination of education and optional zero% interest microfinance seed loans. Our commitment is to empower women in marginalised communities that don't have access to safe funding to break the poverty cycle."

Product Description

MADCash is a syariah compliant FinTech ecosystem builder with a mission to empower women micro-entrepreneurs to improve their income by providing micro-funding and drive digital financial inclusion.

https://getmadcash.com

Co-Founders

          Nuzraizah 
Shamsul Baharin
LinkedIn
Tech Up Advance: Equip educators with the knowledge, technology, and tools to teach Robotics to develop students' fundamental interest in STEM.

Company Description

Tech Up Advance: GoTechUp empowers trainers, facilitators & educators with a web-based, gamified robotics software, using simulations of complex challenges to equip learners with the fundamental STEM skills they need to thrive in the ever-evolving job market, closing the education-industry skills gap for companies. We are solving the Future of Work crisis: Technology advancement will displace 1/4 of jobs in 5 years. Companies will scramble for skilled workers, while 80% of graduates will be vulnerable to this new world. 

Product Description

GoTechUp, is a gamified robotics simulation tool designed specifically for the education sector. This digital twin simulator of the Japanese Robotics Education Kit, ArtecRobo, has already supported over 500 educators and institutions, impacting more than 8,000 users across countries such as Malaysia, Japan, France, and Latin America. GoTechUp makes STEM education both fun and effective, engaging students deeply with interactive and practical learning experiences.

https://gotechup.org/

Co-Founders

StratifiCare pioneers predictive diagnostics like StratifiDen, revolutionizing healthcare in Singapore by pre-emptively identifying severe Dengue cases to save lives, and optimizing hospital resources to improve public health outcomes for our ageing population.

Company Description

StratifiCare leads the way in artificial intelligence-powered, predictive protein medical diagnostics with its ground-breaking product, StratifiDen. A world’s first, this innovative product transforms Dengue care in Singapore by proactively predicting severe Dengue cases early for close monitoring and early aggressive supportive treatment. StratifiDen not only saves lives. It helps doctors plan the most cost-effective treatment to keep healthcare cost affordable for Dengue patients, while streamlining treatment for patients who experience difficulties moving. It further ensures that our healthcare system remains sustainable for our ageing population while tackling the perennial Dengue outbreaks of increasing magnitude. This embodies StratifiCare's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge medical diagnostic technologies for social impact, driving positive change in Singapore's healthcare landscape.

Product Description

StratifiDen is a groundbreaking AI-powered diagnostic tool by StratifiCare that predicts severe Dengue cases early in Singapore. It enables timely, targeted interventions, saving lives and reducing healthcare costs by ensuring efficient treatment for both mobile and immobile patients, and supports the sustainability of the healthcare system during recurrent Dengue outbreaks.

https://www.stratificare.com/

Co-Founders

Active Silvers is a digital wellness platform for elderly related communities and care centres.

Company Description

Active Silvers is a social enterprise that aspires to provide inclusive, effective and transformative wellness solutions to improve the quality of life for elders and seniors through their care centres and caregivers.
We are a digital wellness platform that aims to bring inclusive health and fitness solutions to active aging centres and similar elderly care centres. Active Silvers is algorithm powered, drawing upon close to 20 years of experience working together with the senior population. Through it, the platform tailors specific exercises and programs for elderly groups and care centres. Programs are customised and cater specifically to the individual according to their needs and abilities within a communal setting.

Product Description

Active Silvers is a wellness platform that uses a sophisticated algorithm to create personalized fitness regimens tailored specifically for elderly communities and care facilities. This platform ensures that each regimen is suited to the individual capabilities and health needs of seniors, promoting safe and effective physical activity to enhance their overall well-being.

https://www.innervatefit.com/activesilvers

Co-Founders

Company Description

MangaChat is an innovative tech company dedicated to enhancing the emotional well-being of children through technology. Their platform utilizes AI to provide a unique, art-driven journaling experience that helps children aged 8 to 12 express their emotions and engage with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles in a gamified format. By integrating advanced AI with creative visual storytelling, MangaChat offers a therapeutic tool that is both educational and engaging.

Product Description

MangaChat is an AI-powered platform that revolutionizes emotional learning and expression for children. It uses comic graphics, which are automatically generated from input text, to help children visualize and understand their emotions. This gamified approach to psychotherapy, based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, makes learning about emotions fun and accessible, aiding in the improvement of children’s emotional health.

https://mangachat.co/

Co-Founders

Company Description

School On Cloud, launched in 2021 as the edtech branch of School of Concepts, is at the forefront of revolutionizing education by making it universally accessible. They are committed to harnessing technological advancements and global connectivity to break down traditional barriers in education. 

Product Description

School On Cloud offers innovative educational tools such as a Digital Library focused on sustainability, which serves as both a resource repository and an agent for ecological awareness and action. Additionally, their Alphabet Explorer Mobile Learning App uses machine learning and augmented reality to transform learning the ABCs into an engaging and interactive adventure, making foundational literacy skills exciting and accessible in the digital age.

http://www.schooloncloud.sg/courses

Co-Founders

Company Description

FingerDance is a rapidly growing AI deep-tech startup dedicated to developing advanced AI infrastructure aimed at creating a smarter and more inclusive world. Leveraging proprietary technology, FingerDance offers innovative solutions like the FingerDance AI Sign Language large models, which provide 24/7 sign language translation services. 

Product Description

FingerDance's flagship product, the AI Sign Language large models, offers 24/7 sign language translation services and accessible sign language information. This product supports spoken language and sign language natural translation to enhance information and service accessibility for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities.

https://voisea.com

Co-Founders

Why join TS2?

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Local and international Networks

Connect with resources, mentors and subject matter experts in the collective networks of NUS and raiSE.

Participating start-ups looking to expand beyond Singapore will enjoy access to overseas markets and commercial opportunities through the NUS BLOCK71 global platform.

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IndividualiSed support

Our programme combines a carefully-curated structured curriculum with a customised development plan, tailored specifically to the need of each
start-up.

Designed with an impact-focused lens, the structured curriculum blends business, leadership and governance components of venture-building.

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Access to grant funding

TS2 will support selected start-ups with a grant of up to SGD95,000. 

To qualify for the grant, the start-up is required to register as a Social Enterprise member of raiSE.                                                                                       *Subject to Terms and Conditions. Please refer to FAQs.

    Programme timeline

  • January, 2024

    Call for Cohort 1 Applications

  • 10th March, 2024

    Closing date for Applications

  • Mid April, 2024

    Notify start-ups selected for Cohort 1

  • End April, 2024

    Accelerator programme commences

  • July, 2024

    TS2 Demo Day

    • 1 2 3

    Eligibility

    We are calling for technology-based start-ups that create human-centric social impact in Singapore.

    • Social impact is created in Singapore (ie. beneficiaries are in Singapore)
      • Potential to scale impact beyond Singapore would be an added advantage
    • Business is registered in Singapore as a legal entity, excluding Sole Proprietorship and Limited Partnership
    • Founding team of at least two people
    • Minimally has a MVP and completed market validation
    • Eligible start-ups should demonstrate (potential) contribution in one or more of these domains:
      • Inclusive employment opportunities
      • Improving physical and mental health, wellness and safety
      • Increasing financial inclusion and financial security
      • Economic empowerment of marginalised or at-risk groups
      • More equitable access to education opportunities

    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.


    For more information, please visit https://enterprise.nus.edu.sg

    At raiSE, we believe in using the power of social entrepreneurship in solving emerging social needs through a sustainable business model. ​

    As an ecosystem builder, we seed and nurture new social enterprises by providing advisory services, programmes, training, and resources. We enable existing social enterprises to grow and become sustainable by providing financing options, capacity building and mentorship.​

    raiSE seeks to connect with social enterprises and intermediary bodies in the region and share best practices with each other.​​ 
    For more information, please visit https://www.raise.sg

    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.

    We are grateful for the support from our knowledge partners:

    Contact us to find out more