Santé Accel Singapore, a healthcare venture-building platform, was launched on June 29 during the Singapore Medical Device Venture Showcase at St Regis Singapore to support startups in medtech, biotech, and healthtech sectors with funding, mentorship, and international networks [1, 2, 3, 4]. The platform is a partnership between US-based life sciences investor Santé Ventures and Singapore’s SG Growth Capital, the investment arm of the Economic Development Board and Enterprise Singapore [1, 2, 3, 4].
Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng said, "We are strengthening access to capital and venture-building talent as innovation requires these to sustain the long journey of clinical trials and regulatory approvals to reach market. Founders also need experienced mentors and global networks to help them scale" [1]. Minister Tan’s remarks highlight the government’s commitment to strengthening Singapore’s healthcare innovation ecosystem.
Santé Ventures recently closed a US$330 million funding round in February and currently manages US$1.1 billion across five funds. The firm has invested in more than 70 life sciences companies over 20 years [1, 2, 3]. The new platform will leverage Santé’s venture-building expertise to expand clinical, regulatory, and acceleration support programs, including initiatives like the MedTech Catapult centre established in 2025 [1, 2, 3, 4].
Singapore’s medtech sector has seen rapid growth. By 2024, output from medtech manufacturing rose to S$20.3 billion, up from S$5.5 billion in 2013. The city-state hosts more than 400 medtech companies employing over 17,000 people [1, 2, 3, 4]. Local startup numbers have surged, with biotech ventures increasing from under 10 in 2012 to more than 70, and medtech startups rising from 59 in 2010 to over 430 by 2023 [4]. That year, over 30 financing and collaboration deals were completed by medtech, biotech, and digital health firms, totaling more than US$600 million in investments [4].
Singapore’s public research contributed to innovations such as Biobot Surgical, whose robotic prostate biopsy system is used in 35+ countries with 30,000 surgeries performed, and Respiree, an AI-based cardiopulmonary wearable approved by the US FDA [4]. The MedTech Catapult centre supports product development by connecting startups with over 40 local suppliers and contract manufacturers, having helped nine companies advance towards product commercialization [4].
The Health Sciences Authority will also work with US medical innovation group Fogarty Innovation to strengthen regulatory expertise and run immersion programs to better understand startup challenges [1, 2, 3, 4]. The government plans to further boost startup financing, accelerate research translation, and improve the medtech industry environment [4].
Minister Tan See Leng announced Santé Accel Singapore at the June 29 showcase. It aims to provide early-stage capital, extensive mentorship, and access to global networks that local startups need as they navigate clinical and regulatory hurdles to scale internationally [1]. Chinese remarks by Minister Tan emphasized Singapore’s strong foundation in R&D, product development, advanced manufacturing, and global market expansion to capture growing global demand for innovative medical technologies [4].
