Technologies like AI, automation, and digital platforms are rapidly moving from concept to real-world use, helping companies work more efficiently, use data more intelligently, and reach new markets faster. In healthcare, for instance, AI is already transforming drug discovery, diagnostics, wearables, and advanced manufacturing. Yet adoption remains uneven. Over 7,000 Singapore businesses have adopted AI-enabled and cloud-based solutions in the past year, showing that SMEs are ready to innovate, but many still need the right guidance and connections to do so effectively.
TechInnovation is both a platform and an ecosystem that encourages collaboration. Rather than overwhelming attendees with broad networking, it curates targeted, trend-aligned connections that are relevant to their business needs. The focus is on matching technology owners and tech-preneurs with the right stakeholders, from corporates to research institutions, to co-develop and commercialise solutions. What makes it distinctive is how it brings together real-world challenges from enterprises and connects them with a community of innovators ready to provide the technologies and capabilities to meet those needs.
TechInnovation also plays a vital role in validating emerging trends and empowering companies to act on them through:
In past editions, sessions such as Navigating Entry into New Markets (2023 and 2024) featured real SME experiences alongside experts from countries like Finland, Thailand, and the Middle East. Other programmes on sustainability, design thinking, and product-market fit continue to help companies turn insight into measurable business outcomes.
TechInnovation 2025 isn’t about showcasing the most disruptive technologies, but those that are practical, relevant, and ready for adoption. The focus is on helping enterprises turn technology into new or improved products and services that meet real market needs. Beyond technologies, we also highlight innovative business models and design processes that are equally critical for commercial success. This is supported by IPI’s Innovation Advisory through one-to-one clinics and masterclasses, where companies can validate product-market fit and receive tailored guidance to scale effectively.
One such collaboration is with Esthemedica, a Singapore-based aesthetics and beauty supplement company that aims to innovate with natural, science-backed skincare solutions. Through TechInnovation, IPI Singapore connected Esthemedica with Singapore Polytechnic’s Consumer Chemicals Technology Centre (SP-CCTC) and exhibitors such as Kronolife (Thailand), supporting the partnership through each stage of product development.
Key milestones include:
This year, we focused on Discover, Connect and Collaborate because we saw a growing demand among SMEs to co-create and co-innovate. TechInnovation is designed as a platform to convert these opportunities into real access to the tools, guidance, and networks that help companies scale innovations and futureproof their business.
Connections are most valuable when they are purposeful. At TechInnovation, innovators meet experts who understand both technology and industry needs, whether it is regulatory advice, product validation, or market entry strategies. These exchanges often spark deeper collaboration. For instance, a startup with strong data capabilities might need a partner for testing, while a biotech firm might seek a corporate partner to scale up. TechInnovation provides the ideal environment for such conversations to happen and for partnerships to form naturally.
To ensure every conversation leads to outcomes, TechInnovation facilitates collaboration through multiple channels, from curated networking sessions and the exhibition floor to one-to-one clinics and masterclasses. Nearly half of attendees are senior management and 40% are executives, which means most discussions take place at a decision-making level, making collaborations more actionable and results-driven.
IPI’s Innovation Advisory further strengthens this ecosystem. Our industry veterans guide enterprises on product and technology strategy, growth, and internationalisation. During TechInnovation, selected registrants can also meet one-to-one with our Innovation Advisors at IPI Singapore’s booth; turning ideas into tangible next steps.
TechInnovation brings all of these together. Sustainable growth can come in the form of more holistic advice that covers more than just technology and innovation aspects; it includes looking at the business and how specific technologies can be a part of a longer-term roadmap. This is also where IPI’s Innovation Advisory plays a big role, providing enterprises with the guidance to connect business goals with technology adoption in a way that supports future growth.
On competitiveness, TechInnovation facilitates strategic connections and real-time insights through various channels. Exhibitions allow attendees to see practical innovations in action, from AI-driven diagnostics to remote monitoring, while panel discussions and keynotes featuring leading healthcare and biopharma experts share the latest trends and challenges. The AI in Healthcare panel on Day 1 will look at how data and machine learning are transforming diagnostics and patient care, while the Standards Discussion on Day 2 will focus on the regulatory and quality frameworks that are critical to the healthcare and biopharma industries. Selected registrants can also meet one-to-one with IPI Innovation Advisors for bespoke advice on strategy, technology, and regional growth.
The Innovation Advisory Clinics at TechInnovation are one of the most practical services available. Participants are pre-selected and matched to ensure each company meets the right expert. Advisors with experience in pharmaceuticals, medtech, and healthcare services provide targeted guidance that helps startups avoid costly mistakes and SMEs refine strategies to scale. The clinics also help businesses minimise the twists and turns they might otherwise face when navigating growth challenges on their own.
These sessions are not full advisory engagements but serve as an initial assessment for both the company and IPI’s Advisors to identify the areas where support is needed most. Following the event, IPI and the Innovation Advisors will reconnect with participating companies to begin deeper advisory projects where required.
Scaling internationally isn’t just about having big ambitions; it’s about having the right connections and knowing how to navigate new markets. At IPI Singapore, we act as the bridge between startups and SMEs, with partners across ASEAN, Japan, and Korea, giving them access to overseas technology and market opportunities to grow. The 2023 and 2024 panel discussions on “Navigating Entry into New Markets” were designed precisely for this, allowing enterprises to learn from others, get to know the relevant people, and explore potential support networks that can help them expand with confidence.
Entering new markets is an important milestone. Finding the right partner who knows the market of interest can possibly help to reduce bearing risks singlehandedly. For healthtech and biopharma, the same principle applies. At TechInnovation 2025, exhibitors bring solutions ready to scale with the right partners. For example, the On-Skin EMG Sensing Array, designed for next-generation prosthetics and rehabilitation robotics, and the MIMV System for muscle monitoring, are both seeking collaborations with hospitals, researchers, and medtech firms. With the right connections through TechInnovation, these innovations can reach new markets faster and with lower risk.
The key takeaway from TechInnovation 2025 is that innovation need not be done alone. The event is designed to spark that eureka moment; as attendees ‘Discover’ new possibilities and ideas by seeing what others have developed. It is also a chance to ‘Connect’ with a global community of innovators, corporates, and industry players, building relationships that may not yield results today, but could unlock tomorrow’s opportunities. Through ‘Collaboration’, enterprises can accelerate their innovation journey, avoid bearing risks alone, and find the right partners to grow with confidence.
My message to industry enthusiasts is this: do not let yesterday’s challenges shape how you see today’s opportunities. Think ahead, look beyond the immediate, and explore technologies that can position your business for the future. TechInnovation is where you can discover relevant solutions, connect with people who understand your goals, and collaborate to create meaningful impact.
