Try GOLD - Free
S'pore start-up among global picks by Kajima for mentorship, funding
The Straits Times
|August 12, 2025
Group's programme to help selected firms accelerate commercialisation of concepts
A Singapore start-up is one of five global picks by Japanese construction group Kajima Corp for a programme to help accelerate the commercialisation of their concepts.
CityBot Technology, which makes robots to inspect confined or hazardous underground facilities such as drains, sewers and pipes, joins two British companies, one from the US and another from Hong Kong for The Gear Startup CoLab programme.
Chief executive Chen Zhi hopes to take his robotic and artificial intelligence-powered analytics systems global in the next 12 months.
The start-up is also trialling its concepts with PUB after winning the national water agency's annual global innovation challenge in 2023 with its smart drain inspector.
CityBot and the other four companies were picked from 96 applications from 17 countries after the programme was launched in April. About 57 per cent of the applicants are from overseas.
The five companies will receive mentorship, funding and access to Kajima's regional headquarters and research facility at Changi Business Park to test their technologies.
This story is from the August 12, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times
The Straits Times
Students lead effort to save birds from crashing into iconic NTU building
Birds would fly straight into the glass facade thinking the windows are part of landscape
4 mins
November 03, 2025
The Straits Times
'What we promise, we deliver': Sunway founder on building a legacy of trust
Tycoon seeks to make conglomerate a major gateway from S'pore to Malaysia
4 mins
November 03, 2025
The Straits Times
Why renewables are difficult to talk about at UN climate summits
When the 2035 climate targets of countries are scrutinised at the upcoming United Nations climate change conference COP30 in Brazil, the spotlight will be on whether the nations have done enough to meet a collective goal to ramp up clean energy adoption.
4 mins
November 03, 2025
The Straits Times
Benz Hui's family to donate all condolence money to charity
All the condolence money for veteran Hong Kong actor Benz Hui will be donated to the Children’s Cancer Foundation, his family said in an obituary released on Oct 31.
1 mins
November 03, 2025
The Straits Times
Dear Evan Hansen still moves with its message of feeling included
The title's second outing in Singapore features a larger cast and set, and has maintained the relatability and heart of the story
2 mins
November 03, 2025
The Straits Times
From Vanuatu to Yishun: The plant giving S’pore fall colours all year
As the weather cools in the Northern Hemisphere, fall foliage is sure to draw the eye. But even in tropical Singapore, the colours of autumn can be enjoyed year round - in Gardens by the Bay and along the country’s streetscapes, from Yishun to Bukit Panjang.
5 mins
November 03, 2025
The Straits Times
Nearly half of Cat A COEs go to EVs in first 9 months of 2025
EVs make up 43% of new car registrations, up from 33.8% in 2024 and 18.2% in 2023
2 mins
November 03, 2025
The Straits Times
Youth who faced family tragedy among 12 inaugural President's Challenge fellows
Growing up in a troubled family, Ms Shirlene Ng was 13 when she witnessed her mother take her own life. Her mental health took a hit.
3 mins
November 03, 2025
The Straits Times
An uneven muddle of themes and genres
A deeper dive into the intergenerational female trauma of Congratulations, Get Rich! would make for a — pun intended — richer story
2 mins
November 03, 2025
The Straits Times
Backyard cafes in JB village give owners hope of lease extension
Locals bank on increased economic activity boosting their case, preserving area’s heritage
5 mins
November 03, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size
