French defense and technology giant Thales is doubling down on Singapore’s startup ecosystem, signing two new partnerships that pair its deep-tech expertise with government-backed innovation programs.
The agreements — one with EDB’s Corporate Venture Launchpad (CVL) and another with EnterpriseSG’s Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) — signal a shift from Thales as a traditional defense contractor toward a more active role as a corporate innovation partner in Southeast Asia’s most developed tech hub.
Trust My Tech Goes Local
Thales’ existing global accelerator, Trust My Tech (TMT), will now partner with EDB’s CVL program to identify and support Singapore-based deep-tech startups. Execution is handled through Plug and Play Tech Centre, the Silicon Valley-based corporate innovation platform that has expanded aggressively into Asia Pacific.
The one-year program covers AI, cybersecurity, digital identity, aerospace, fintech, quantum, and regulatory technology — domains where Thales already holds significant IP and market position. For participating startups, the value proposition is clear: access to Thales’ global customer base and the credibility that comes with a corporate stamp of approval in deeply regulated industries.
A Bridge to International Markets
The second agreement, signed through EnterpriseSG’s expanded GIA2030 program, takes things further. Selected Singapore startups will work directly with Thales’ global business units to develop proof-of-concepts aligned with real-world defense and security needs. Thales will also host overseas learning expeditions, giving founders access to experts, facilities, and networks that would otherwise be out of reach for early-stage companies.
EnterpriseSG launched the “Grow” pathway under GIA2030 in February, designed to provide specialized support for overseas expansion. The Thales partnership is one of the first concrete outcomes of that expanded framework.
Why This Matters
Singapore has long punched above its weight as a startup hub, but its ecosystem has been heavily weighted toward fintech and consumer tech. Deep-tech startups — those building in AI, quantum, cybersecurity, and aerospace — have traditionally struggled to find corporate partners who understand both the technology and the regulatory landscape.
Thales, with 85,000 employees across 65 countries and €4.5 billion in annual R&D spend, offers exactly that combination. The company has been in Singapore since 1973 and now employs over 2,000 people across four locations, running global industrial operations for avionics and digital identity from the city-state.
“While we have the depth of expertise, there is also much we can learn from these dynamic companies on how they develop, test and scale,” said Emily Tan, CEO of Thales in Singapore.
For startup founders building in deep tech, the lesson is worth noting: corporate partnerships in defense and security are slow to build but stickier than almost any other commercial relationship. A PoC with Thales can open doors across NATO-aligned markets that would take years to access independently.
