NUSX's Munich Move: A New Bridge for DeepTech Startups

Jan de Vries · 2026-09-24

NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore, is expanding its global footprint with a new partnership in Munich. This collaboration with UnternehmerTUM, Europe's leading innovation hub, aims to connect the startup ecosystems of Singapore and Munich, giving DeepTech ventures from both regions easier access to partners, investors, and markets. ### Why Munich? Munich is a powerhouse for technology and innovation. It ranks among Europe's top five tech ecosystems and 11th globally for AI. With its strong research institutions and vibrant venture scene, it's the perfect base for NUSX to tap into European capital and expertise. ### A New Outpost in Munich At the heart of the partnership is NUSX's second global outpost, located at the Munich Urban Colab—a massive 118,000-square-foot innovation center. From there, NUSX will connect Singaporean DeepTech ventures with the broader UnternehmerTUM and TUM Venture Labs ecosystem, offering access to industry partners, technical know-how, and opportunities to validate technologies in Europe. But it's a two-way street. TUM Venture Labs is exploring a presence at the NUS i³ building in Singapore, which would give Munich-based startups a direct entry point into Asia. ### Building on Existing Ties The collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between NUS and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) through the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) program. Since 2017, NOC Munich has connected nearly 120 NUS students and over 90 TUM students through exchanges. Alumni have gone on to build successful ventures like Factorem. "This collaboration with UnternehmerTUM builds on our longstanding ties with TUM 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." ### Deepening Investment Links Investment is another key pillar. NUS is in advanced talks with a Munich-based VC firm affiliated with UnternehmerTUM to join the €102 million NUS VC Programme as its fifth partner. This would give NUS-affiliated ventures stronger connections to European capital. The partnership will focus initially on biotech, AI, and semiconductors—areas where both ecosystems excel. TUM ranks first in Germany for data science and AI, and its life sciences school boasts 10 of the university's 17 most-cited researchers. These fields also align with Singapore's RIE2030 strategy, which commits €25 billion (S$37 billion) over five years to research and innovation. ### Talent Development Across Borders Beyond investment, the partnership will create hands-on venture-building opportunities for NUS students in Munich. NOC students will have the chance to work with European startups, gaining invaluable experience in a global context. This collaboration is more than just an expansion—it's a bridge between two vibrant innovation ecosystems. By connecting talent, research, and capital, NUSX and UnternehmerTUM are paving the way for the next generation of DeepTech ventures to scale globally.