Singapore's NUSX Just Planted a Flag in Munich — Here's Why It Matters

Jan de Vries · 2026-09-24

Singapore's NUS Enterprise is taking its global venture-building network to Europe in a big way. Through a new partnership with UnternehmerTUM, the university's innovation arm — now operating globally as NUSX — is opening its second international outpost in Munich. And honestly, this one's worth paying attention to. The move connects two serious innovation ecosystems: Singapore and Munich. For NUS DeepTech ventures, it means direct access to European partners, investors, and markets. For Munich-based startups, it opens a door into Singapore and the wider Asian market. ### Why Munich, of all places? Munich isn't just a random pick. It consistently ranks among Europe's top five tech ecosystems and sits 11th globally for AI. Its strengths in research, technology, and venture creation make it a natural landing pad for startups looking to scale across Europe. The partnership focuses on three things: - Reciprocal outposts in each region - Deeper investment links between the two ecosystems - Talent development across borders Initial efforts will center on biotech, AI, and semiconductors. ### A new base at Munich Urban Colab At the heart of this partnership is NUSX's new home inside the Munich Urban Colab — a sprawling 118,000-square-foot innovation center co-founded by UnternehmerTUM and the City of Munich. From there, NUSX ventures get plugged into the wider UnternehmerTUM and TUM Venture Labs network. That means industry partners, technical expertise, and a real shot at validating technologies in the European market. And it goes both ways. TUM Venture Labs is exploring a representative presence at the NUS i³ building in Singapore, giving Munich ventures a direct entry point into Asia. ### Building on an old friendship This isn't a cold introduction. NUS Enterprise and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have been working together since 2017 through the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) program. Since then, nearly 120 NUS students and more than 90 TUM students have swapped cities through exchanges. Alumni have gone on to build real ventures, including Factorem. > "This collaboration with UnternehmerTUM builds on our longstanding ties with the Technical University of Munich as NUSX deepens its global venture-building network," said Dr. Tan Sian Wee, NUS Senior Vice President (Innovation & Enterprise). "Through reciprocal outposts, deeper investment links, and new opportunities for our students and startups, we are bringing talent, research and capital closer together." ### Following the money Investment is a big part of this. NUS is in advanced talks with a Munich-based VC firm closely tied to UnternehmerTUM to join the $110 million (€102 million) NUS VC Programme as its fifth partner. That would give NUS-affiliated founders stronger ties to European capital and expand the network of international investors backing them. The partnership is designed to support ventures across the full journey — from talent development and research commercialization all the way to global market entry. The focus on biotech, AI, and semiconductors isn't random either. TUM ranks first in Germany for data science and AI, and its School of Life Sciences houses 10 of the university's 17 most-cited researchers. These areas also align with Singapore's RIE2030 strategy, which commits $27 billion (S$37 billion) over five years to research, innovation, and enterprise. ### What this means for founders If you're building a DeepTech venture, this kind of bridge matters. It's not just about office space — it's about access. Access to capital, to partners, to markets that would otherwise take years to crack. For NUS students, the partnership opens new doors too. NOC students will get hands-on venture-building experience in Munich — the kind you can't learn from a textbook. Bottom line: Singapore and Munich just got a lot closer. And for founders on either side, that's a very good thing.