Singapore – Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and Google Cloud have partnered to launch new initiatives that will accelerate AI adoption and innovation in Singapore, enabling high-growth startups to develop proprietary AI products and helping SMEs boost workforce productivity through AI.
As part of the partnership, Google hosted the ‘AI First’ event at its Asia Pacific headquarters, showcasing the first cohort of graduates from the ‘Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore’ and unveiling new AI initiatives in collaboration with the Singapore Government. This event was attended by deputy prime minister and minister of trade and industry Gan Kim Yong as the guest of honour.
“AI is a key driver of the Singapore economy, and it is critical for organisations of all sizes to embrace and deepen their use of AI to grow their businesses. The initiatives unveiled today at Google Cloud’s AI First event aim to advance AI adoption for startups and SMEs,” Gan stated.
“Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore supports the growth of AI-orientated startups based in Singapore, and SMEs can leverage the Gemini for Google Workspace Program (SMEs) to kickstart their AI journeys and boost productivity. These initiatives demonstrate how public-private collaborations with technology leaders like Google Cloud can accelerate AI adoption and advance our national AI strategy goals,” he added.
The inaugural cohort of ‘Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore,’ which ran from April to August 2024, included 25 early-stage startups from sectors like adtech, e-commerce, fintech, and climate tech. Selected from hundreds of applicants, startups such as Atlas, Eezee, and Lytehouse developed proprietary AI products addressing key challenges like accounting fraud detection, solar power capacity, food safety, and SME productivity, using top-tier technologies and resources from the program.
Meanwhile, another four AI startups—Kookree, Lytehouse, Staple, and UI-licious—received additional support from EnterpriseSG’s Startup SG Tech scheme, which accelerates the commercialisation of proprietary tech solutions.
Following the program’s success, Google has opened its applications for the second cohort, starting in February 2025. The expanded three-month program will accept 35 startups, offering up to US$350,000 in Google Cloud credits, access to an AI innovation sandbox, mentorship, technical support, and opportunities to connect with investors at a Demo Day. Eligible startups may also receive further funding through Startup SG Tech.
Philbert Gomez, executive director for digital industry Singapore, said, “The success of the inaugural cohort of Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore reflects our commitment toward enabling promising AI startups with the means to turn innovative AI concepts into reality and commercialise them for local and global markets.”
He added, “The creativity and sophistication of the AI products developed by the graduating startups is a testament to the talent in our local ecosystem and its potential to deepen Singapore-based tech expertise, paving the way for long-term AI-powered growth. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Google Cloud as we continue supporting local organisations in their AI journey for growth in the digital economy.”
Also commenting on the event, Serene Sia, country director for Singapore at Google Cloud, explained, “Google Cloud has been a prolific contributor to the growth of Gen AI startups, with more than 60% of all funded Gen AI startups and nearly 90% of today’s Gen AI unicorns leveraging our infrastructure and capabilities. Through Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore, we’re providing locally-based founders with access to our broad choice of foundation models and developer tools, as well as resources, support, and routes-to-market for early-stage companies that are in line with regional nuances, so they can build and scale new AI products from the ground up in a matter of weeks.”
At the AI First event, Google Cloud and EnterpriseSG also launched the ‘Gemini for Google Workspace Program,’ offering SMEs up to 50% off license costs for 12 months. Gemini for Google Workspace, designed for small businesses, helps teams streamline workflows, enhance meetings, and boost productivity using AI-powered tools like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and more.
The program aims to boost productivity and creativity for small businesses by providing access to Gemini’s AI-powered tools. It also offers SMEs access to Google’s advanced multimodal AI models with built-in data protections. In addition to cost savings, it provides dedicated training, consultations, and hands-on workshops to help businesses effectively deploy and maximise the benefits of Gemini in their daily operations.
This launch follows a successful pilot program in August 2024, where early adopters like Big Tiny, IKARI Services, and Koufu quickly realised measurable benefits from Gemini for Google Workspace. They used its features for competitive analysis, faster deal closures, creating marketing content, and personalising customer service responses.
“The Gemini for Google Workspace Program (SMEs) makes it easier for small business owners and their employees to adopt and extract value from gen AI, given that these companies typically operate with a tighter pool of resources that may see one person doing the job of many, and they would benefit from having time freed up to focus on important work and innovation. Alongside other initiatives like AI Trailblazers and Skills Ignition SG, the developments announced today fall under the programmatic and intentional approach that Google Cloud has been undertaking with the Singapore Government since May 2023, reinforcing our commitment toward helping organisations of all sizes thrive in an AI-enabled digital economy,” Sia stated.
Geoffrey Yeo, assistant managing director at Enterprise Singapore, added, “Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore and Gemini for Google Workspace Program (SMEs) underscore EnterpriseSG’s efforts to boost Singapore’s fast-developing AI ecosystem and deepen our companies’ capabilities to simplify work processes and improve efficiency. We will continue to collaborate with AI ecosystem partners like Google Cloud to spur AI innovation and adoption among businesses to strengthen their competitiveness, build new capabilities, and capture emerging opportunities.”
