Three Indonesian startups, Oculab, Qarbontech, and Mooapps Agriculture Technology, are emerging as standout representatives of Indonesian startups in Singapore, after being selected as finalists in the 12th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC). Hosted by Singapore Management University (SMU), the competition is one of Asia’s most influential launchpads for early-stage founders. It attracted a record 1,572 applicants from 91 countries this year, but only 60 were shortlisted, placing Indonesia among the most visible nations in the lineup.

For years, Singapore has been recognised as Southeast Asia’s innovation gateway. With world-class funding networks, regulatory stability, and access to pilot-ready infrastructure, it has become the first destination for regional founders looking to commercialise technology beyond their domestic markets. Now, Indonesian startups in Singapore are starting to leverage this ecosystem more strategically, not just to raise capital, but to validate, deploy, and globalise solutions that were born in local markets.

The participation of Oculab, Qarbontech, and Mooapps Agriculture Technology signals an important shift. Rather than simply sending founders abroad to seek opportunity, Indonesia is beginning to export solutions, especially in healthtech, sustainability, and agriculture, through structured platforms that Singapore provides.

Why Indonesian Startups Are Choosing Singapore as Their Global Launchpad

Singapore’s appeal lies not only in its financing landscape but in its ability to connect startups to industry-grade testing environments. As one of the highest-ranked innovation hubs globally, it secures almost 60% of Southeast Asia’s total venture capital inflows. For Indonesian startups in Singapore, this presents a unique advantage: scale can be achieved not only through funding, but through credible partnerships and market validation.

The LKYGBPC, supported by partners such as Antler, Indorama Ventures, and The GEAR by Kajima, offers more than prize money. It includes mentorship, non-cash support, and access to a wide industrial network across deep tech, healthcare, and sustainability sectors. This makes it particularly attractive for mission-driven founders, especially those solving problems related to public health, green infrastructure, or food resilience.

In this context, the three Indonesian finalists are not just competing for recognition. They are actively demonstrating how Indonesian startups in Singapore can serve regional and global needs through innovation rooted in real-world challenges.

Spotlight on the Three Indonesian Finalists

Oculab: Bridging Innovation and Accessibility in Eye Care

Oculab represents Indonesia’s growing strength in medical and diagnostic technology. Founded to address preventable blindness and vision impairment, the startup develops accessible eye screening solutions that can be deployed in both hospitals and rural clinics. Eye care is often overlooked in public health discussions, yet millions across Southeast Asia still lack access to early detection.

By entering Singapore’s accelerator ecosystem, Oculab gains exposure not just to investors, but to medical institutions and regulatory experts. Its participation reinforces how Indonesian startups in Singapore are stepping into critical healthcare gaps with solutions that can scale across borders.

Qarbontech: Redefining Sustainable Materials for Industry

Qarbontech operates in a very different sector, industrial sustainability, but its mission is no less relevant. The company focuses on carbon-reducing materials and scalable alternatives to high-emission manufacturing inputs. As global industries face increasing pressure to comply with environmental standards, demand for low-carbon solutions is growing faster than supply.

Singapore, with its strong urban infrastructure and corporate partnerships, is an ideal testing ground. Through LKYGBPC, Qarbontech gains access to construction authorities, engineering groups, and manufacturing networks that can accelerate proof-of-concept trials. Its presence in the programme reflects a broader trend: Indonesian startups in Singapore are not limited to digital platforms, they are entering heavy industry and sustainability.

Mooapps Agriculture Technology: Strengthening Food Systems Through Agri-Digitalisation

Agriculture remains a foundational sector in Indonesia, yet digital transformation in farming is still evolving. Mooapps Agriculture Technology addresses this gap by building tools that improve farm productivity, livestock monitoring, and supply chain integrity. As global food security becomes increasingly urgent, agritech innovations are gaining policy support across Asia.

Singapore may not be an agricultural powerhouse, but it is highly dependent on imported food, making it an ideal hub for testing regional supply chain solutions. Mooapps enters the accelerator with an opportunity to position itself as both a domestic enabler and a regional connector. Its presence confirms that Indonesian startups in Singapore have the potential to influence critical sectors beyond technology itself.

A Strategic Relationship, Not Just Geographic Proximity

Singapore’s role as a facilitator of innovation is undisputed, but what makes the rise of Indonesian startups in Singapore compelling is the balance between domestic identity and global ambition. Rather than relocating their operations permanently, many Indonesian founders use Singapore as a springboard — retaining roots at home while gaining visibility abroad.

This dual-market strategy is increasingly supported by institutional collaboration. SMU’s Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship recently launched Urban SustaInnovator (USI), a global accelerator focusing on sustainability and urban solutions. The programme is backed by public and private partners including A*STAR, ST Engineering, and Wavemaker Partners.

With Singapore prioritising areas such as decarbonisation, mobility, and infrastructure efficiency under its national Green Plan 2030, programmes like USI are opening doors for startups that can solve real operational challenges. For Indonesia, a country with pressing needs in urban planning, healthcare access, and agricultural resilience, the opportunity is clear: its most impactful startups can scale faster when plugged into structured ecosystems abroad.

What This Means for the Future of Regional Innovation

The journey of Oculab, Qarbontech, and Mooapps is more than a success story, it signals a structural shift in how Southeast Asian innovation is evolving. Instead of competition between nations, collaboration through platforms like LKYGBPC and USI is creating a shared innovation corridor. If more Indonesian startups in Singapore follow this model, the region could build a truly integrated deep tech and sustainability landscape.

Indonesia brings scale, resource-driven problem statements, and emerging founder depth. Singapore offers capital, infrastructure, and international credibility. When aligned, the outcome is not only commercially viable, it is globally significant.

The success of these three startups may encourage more Indonesian founders to view regional expansion not as an afterthought, but as a parallel strategy from day one. And if Singapore continues to position itself as a facilitator rather than a competitor, Southeast Asia could soon be recognised not just as a fast-growing market, but as a collective innovation powerhouse.