AI ACCELERATE 2026

Build traction. Drive revenue. Unlock funding.

Application closes on 31 July.

Programme Menu

Building in AI is tough.
Scaling is tougher

That’s why we built the AI Accelerate programme.

This 10-week programme by BLOCK71 Singapore and Microsoft, supported by Enterprise Singapore, through the Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) joint office, offers you:

– Refine your product with mentors who’ve done it before 
– Get real investors’ feedback
– Plug into partners who can open doors

We’re here to help founders go from technical breakthroughs to getting real traction to achieving funding-ready growth.

Why choose

AI Accelerate?

Tailored Support

Every startup has its own journey. We’ll work on what matters most to you — whether that’s product–market fit, localising for Asia, or speeding up your go-to-market.

Work side-by-side with Microsoft specialists and BLOCK71 mentors who’ve scaled products and raised capital across the world.

Tap into a connected community of founders, corporates, and investors across the BLOCK71 and Microsoft ecosystems.

Qualified startups can access up to S$400k to undertake Proof-of-Concept (PoC) projects or up to S$800k for Proof-of-Value (PoV) projects, through the Startup SG Tech grant scheme. This will be further amplified through the BLOCK71 and Microsoft ecosystems.

Are you one of us?

To qualify for AI Accelerate 2026, your startup should check these boxes:

Post MVP, with traction to show

You’ve moved beyond the idea stage and already have users, pilots, or revenue.

You’re building for markets that matter, not just a niche.

Artificial Intelligence isn’t just a feature – your product runs on real AI use cases, built or in development.

You already have a presence in Asia or are ready to incorporate in Singapore and use it as a launchpad.

We back startups, not consultancies, dev shops, or agencies.

This programme is not for educational institutions, government entities, personal blogs, crypto mining outfits, or similar organisations.

If this sounds like you, then you’re exactly the kind of founder we built AI Accelerate for. 

Your Journey to Success

01 June 2026

Applications Open
Startups can apply for the Fall 2026 cohort.

June - July 2026

Join us for the various events and roadshows.
Check out our Luma Page

31 July 2026

Last Day of Applications
Application window closes at 11:59pm SGT.

August 2026

Shortlisting & Selection
Startups are assessed on traction, product, and market readiness.

September 2026

Programme Begins
10-week sprint kicks off — packed with mentorship, workshops, and 1:1 clinics. Founders get co-working access and ecosystem perks and support at BLOCK71 Southeast Asian nodes during the programme.

November 2026

Investor Day
Graduating startups pitch to a curated audience of venture capitalists and corporate partners.

Alumni Spotlight

Meet the startups from past AI Accelerate cohorts.

They didn’t just imagine the future of AI — they built it, and took it to market. AI Accelerate alumni have gone on to secure funding, land enterprise pilots, and scale across Asia.

Hear from our founders

“BLOCK71 provided deep insights into U.S. market dynamics and guided us in formulating a robust expansion strategy. ”

Tina Chopra

Founder & 
CEO of Addlly AI

“Before AI Accelerate, we built cutting-edge AI but struggled to scale in a mature industrial market. The program helped us shift perspective where we created general-purpose AI agents that work across all machines and the entire supply chain. Helping us unlock new industries, reaching new customers, and driving real traction.”

Kan Shyi-Herng

Founder & CEO of Helios Applied Systems

“The program connected us with fellow founders and the Microsoft team and gave us fresh insights, real support, and practical tools that will shape how SimpleAI grows.”

Bryan Sng

Co-Founder and COO of SimpleAI

FAQs

Do you cover flights, accommodation, or office space?

No flights or accommodation. But yes — you’ll have complimentary access to BLOCK71’s co-working space during the programme.

Absolutely. We welcome founders from anywhere who are serious about expanding into Asia. While the programme can be joined remotely, showing up in Singapore at key moments can give you stronger outcomes.

We’ll inform all applicants by mid-December 2025.

Not straight away. Shortlisting brings you one step closer where your startup will still need to undergo a final evaluation panel to qualify for access to the funding. Selected startups may qualify for up to S$1.2 million in grant funding – S$400K PoC, with the opportunity to unlock a further S$800K PoV.

There are no upfront costs required to participate in the programme. However:

  • NUS Enterprise retains the option to take up to $50k worth of equity from startups that are awarded the grant upon the next equity financing round.
  • EnterpriseSG retains right to convert up to 50% of grant awarded to shares. 

*Share subscription rights may be exercised during qualifying equity financing rounds.

  • Go-to-Market Acceleration
    • Work with corporates and industry leaders
    • Gain exposure through media and speaking opportunities
    • Refine your product and business model
  • Advanced AI Product Development
    • Hands-on workshops to strengthen your product
    • Access to Microsoft’s on-demand learning courses
    • 1:1 support from Microsoft AI specialists
  • Funding & Grants
    • Investor networking and curated introductions
    • Direct access to top-tier venture capital firms
    • Partner perks to keep you moving fast
  • Strategic Partnerships
    • Peer roundtables and founder-led discussions
    • Curated business match making with trusted partners

Our AI Accelerate Events

A Powerhouse Collaboration for Startups

Built by:

BLOCK71 isn’t just another startup space. This is a launchpad for founders who dare to do things differently. Powered by NUS Enterprise and backed by industry and government partners, BLOCK71 connects you to the mentors, markets, and muscle to scale. Since 2011, more than 1,600 startups have taken off with us across Singapore, the US, China, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam – and we’re just getting started. Welcome to the Home of the Brave

Microsoft enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

Supported by:

Enterprise Singapore is the government agency championing enterprise development. The agency partners committed companies to build capabilities, innovate, and go global. It drives growth – empowering local businesses and shaping industries, anchoring Singapore as a trade and startup hub, and establishing trust in products through quality and standards. Enterprise Singapore is here for wherever businesses are growing. Visit enterprisesg.gov.sg for more information.

VC Partners

Community Partners

Build traction. Drive revenue. Unlock funding.

Apply Now

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

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