PHOTO: SINGAPORE MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY[SINGAPORE] Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SMU IIE) on Monday (Sep 29) announced the launch of a new accelerator programme set to scale and anchor solutions in the urban solutions and sustainability (USS) space. It is the first global accelerator in Singapore focused on addressing USS-related issues, as a 12-month hybrid, non-residential programme open to eligible startups globally hosted by SMU IIE. She noted that it complements national initiatives such as the National Graduate Research Innovation Programme as well. “Bridging global startup talent to Singapore’s ecosystem can both catalyse revolutionary solutions for a more equitable, sustainable future, and greatly boost knowledge and skills transfer for our local workforce,” she added. Singapore ranked fourth on a global scale, and has climbed 12 places since 2020, the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index by StartupBlink indicated.