Modular support for aspiring founders to explore venture creation and experiment with new ideas.
Through a series of guided sprints and structured processes, participants gain hands-on experience, practical skills and critical insights to help transform innovations into real-world impact. What sets ARISE apart is its strong peer-feedback model, which enables teams to learn from one another, sharpen their thinking, and push their ventures toward their highest potential.
Whether you are uncovering the commercial potential of your research or seeking opportunities to collaborate with SUTD’s research labs, ARISE opens the door to new pathways, partnerships, and possibilities.
Is this programme for you?
ARISE is designed for individuals and teams working on technology-driven ideas who are exploring pathways to commercialisation.
This programme is particularly suited for:
- PhD and postgraduate students interested to work on deep-tech innovations
- Faculty researchers exploring translational pathways for their research
- Entrepreneurial innovators interested in pursuing technology-driven business opportunities
Participants may be at an early stage of venture discovery or beginning to test the commercial potential of their solutions.
Programme journey
Depending on the development stage of their venture, participants may choose to take part in the appropriate module and progress through the programme as their venture matures. The modules include:
| Explore
Participants explore emerging market opportunities or investigate research commercialisation opportunities. They take their first steps in ideating, designing, and prototyping ventures that can capture these opportunities. |
| Validate
Teams conduct interviews and engage stakeholders to test key assumptions about the problem, user needs, and value proposition. They develop minimum viable product (MVP) in collaboration with users, and identify a viable business model. |
| Venture
Participants explore potential beachhead markets, competitive positioning, and early commercialisation pathways. They refine their venture narrative and learn how to communicate their innovation effectively to partners, investors, and collaborators. |
Participant outcomes
A clearer understanding of commercial potential of their research with validated insights from customer and stakeholders
A defined value proposition and target market
A roadmap for technology commercialisation or venture creation
what's next
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
I am not sure if I am ready for this programme.
Our programmes are friendly for all participants and we are excited to witness your development, so you do not have to worry!
Concerned about your commitment? We have a short introductory programme and one-off events for you to take that first step!
How long does this programme last, and what does the commitment look like?
Typically between 12 to 14 weeks. Apart from attending the workshops, you may be expected to complete assignments outside of class (e.g., interviewing customers, preparing pitches and actively consulting your mentor).
As our programmes are designed to take you from zero-to-one in the most efficient way, we encourage you to follow through the full course of the programme. We understand if you have one-off commitments which might affect your attendance, but do make time if you are signing up.
We also have a short introductory programme and one-off events for you to take that first step!
What do I need in order to join this programme?
Most of our programmes require that you have an idea of the problem you want to address.
You can choose to join with a pre-formed team, or find like-minded teammates during the programme. We have had many participants who met their teammates during the programme as well!
I am not from SUTD / My team is not from SUTD. Can we still join this programme?
Yes, we welcome all aspiring founders.
Will I have to give up equity in my company to be part of this programme?
We do not take take equity from teams and start-ups who join our programmes.
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