Singapore’s deep-tech push requires ‘calculated bets’, stronger ecosystem: NUS Enterprise’s Benjamin Tee

Such ventures are not about moving from ‘zero to one’, but about scaling breakthroughs to impact millions, he says

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Benjamin Cher
Published Mon, Mar 30, 2026 · 07:00 AM
    • Building a deep tech ecosystem will require more deliberate bets, said Professor Benjamin Tee, vice president NUS enterprise
    • Building a deep tech ecosystem will require more deliberate bets, said Professor Benjamin Tee, vice president NUS enterprise PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT

    [SINGAPORE] Singapore’s deep-tech push will hinge on “calculated bets” and building a stronger ecosystem to support it, said Professor Benjamin Tee, vice-president of innovation and enterprise at NUS Enterprise.

    While Singapore has been able to support and foster idea development through research and development (R&D) and minimum viable products via early-stage funding, the next phase requires a shift in mindset, said Tee.

    Deep-tech ventures are not about moving from “zero to one”, but about scaling breakthroughs to impact millions – or even billions – of lives, he added.