Weighing a mere 9g and almost the size of a US 50-cent coin, the device may not look like much, but it is fast transforming the lives of patients living with chronic respiratory disease around the world.

The device is AeviceMD, the world’s smallest AI-powered wearable stethoscope for remote respiratory monitoring. The brainchild of digital health startup Aevice Health, AeviceMD is an all-in-one respiratory intelligence platform designed to support earlier intervention, improve access to respiratory care, and enable more personalised remote management.

Joining our US market access programme, Aevice Health connected with Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, becoming the first Asian startup to participate in the US medical giant’s Accelerator Programme. This milestone paved the way for AeviceMD to receive US Food and Drug Administration clearance for use in pediatric patients aged three and above.

Collaborating with Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, Aevice Health validated AeviceMD in real-world clinical settings. These efforts culminated in AeviceMD’s launch in Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s, as part of a new programme supporting at-home asthma management for children.

Q: AeviceMD is scaling quickly. Can you share more about your partnership with Cedars-Sinai?

“In healthcare, especially in the US, adoption for new solutions take time. Beyond having a good product, health systems need to see real-world evidence, understand how the solution integrates into existing workflows, and trust that it can improve patient care.

Having a strong partner like Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, who understands these challenges, has been invaluable in accelerating our market entry. Working closely with stakeholders to validate AeviceMD in clinical settings helped us refine our solution, better understand care needs, and build credibility needed for a Singapore company like us to take on the US market.”

Adrian Ang, CEO and Co-Founder of Aevice Health

Facing dust storms and wind speeds of up to 90 km/h, concertgoers at music festivals like Coachella often face connectivity disruptions. Thanks to firms like Transcelestial, that worry is fast becoming a thing of the past.

The deep-tech firm specialises in wireless laser communications, developing high-speed wireless optical communication systems that deliver fibre-like connectivity without the need for underground cables, which are prone to environmental disruptions.

Transcelestial now operates across the US, Asia and beyond, bringing reliable internet access to underserved communities around the world.

To help Transcelestial expand in the US, we introduced the company to key industry opportunities like the Space Symposium in Colorado, growing its network and connections within the US space and communications ecosystem.

Today, Transcelestial has a strong partnership with US wireless network operator T-Mobile, helping to restore critical communications in disaster-prone areas such as Florida, where fibre infrastructure is vulnerable to disruption. With access to strong technical talent, abundant resources and a healthy customer base, the firm is set on building its space capabilities and deepening its impact within the US.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of Transcelestial’s expansion into the US?

“It’s been especially rewarding seeing the US market clearly understand the strategic importance of connectivity. This goes beyond the race to faster broadband. It’s about resilient communications for critical infrastructure, national security, and the ability to move high volumes of data securely across ground, air and space.

We’re solving universal problems at Transcelestial. Whether it’s a telco trying to restore connectivity after a fibre cut, an enterprise extending high-capacity networks, or a defence customer thinking about resilient communications, the pressure is the same – more bandwidth demand, higher resilience requirements, and less tolerance for long deployment timelines.

Seeing teams across the US resonate with that vision has been very encouraging for us.”

Rohit Jha, Co-founder and CEO of Transcelestial

To celebrate their 8th year anniversary, igloo (parent company of igloohome) decided to take things out of this world. Literally.

The digital access solutions provider sent their smart locks into space and successfully unlocked them from Earth, proving that its locks can be accessed virtually anywhere.

Launched in 2016 at the height of the home-rental boom, igloo’s smart locks seek to simplify key exchanges and automate check-ins for property owners and hosts. Combining their locks with software and offline-first access technology, igloo’s locks can be accessed even in places without an internet connection, making them accessible virtually anywhere.

When the pandemic brought the vacation rental market to a standstill, igloo made a strategic pivot to the long-term rental and property management segment. The US emerged as a natural growth market, with a large and well-established population of long-term renters driving demand for convenient and secure access solutions.

Today, igloo has expanded beyond property management, with its locks being used on self-guided tours, unmanned equipment and more.

With our support, igloo has steadily expanded its footprint in the US through introductions to potential partners, distributors, and city councils, helping the company unlock new opportunities.

Q: Singapore to space and even the States! Why did igloo decide to expand into the US?

“The US was a natural market because of the massive scale of its rental housing industry and the growing demand for smarter, more seamless access management.

During the pandemic, we saw a major shift toward long-term rental, multifamily housing and unmanned operations, especially across the US Sun Belt. Our offline-first AI-enabled technology became highly relevant for operators managing distributed properties where connectivity may not always be reliable.

Today, igloo supports over 5,000 businesses globally, integrates with more than 500 ecosystem partners, and processes over one billion unlocks annually. With Enterprise Singapore’s support, we were able to accelerate our expansion and build valuable partnerships in one of the world’s most important proptech markets.”

Anthony Chow, CEO and Co-Founder of igloo

Imagine a future where robots are integrated into our daily lives. That future is within reach, powered by deep-tech companies like dConstruct Robotics.

Meet d.ASH ER – a multi-purpose built autonomous mobile robot equipped with LiDAR for precise 3D mapping and safe navigation. Developed by dConstruct Robotics, d.ASH ER is designed for a wide range of applications, from towing and delivery to surveillance and inspection.

Through our support, dConstruct Robotics had a pilot set-up at startup incubator BLOCK71 Silicon Valley, where it gained access to mentorship, industry networks and potential partnerships with investors and corporates. This helped the company validate both its technology and business model in the US market.

Since then, dConstruct Robotics has found an unexpected niche in Los Angeles’ arts and entertainment scene. At artist Nicholas Kontaxis’ Weatherman exhibition, d.ASH ER acted as an art docent – answering guest questions about the art pieces while serving drinks and displaying artwork on its onboard screen.

More recently, the startup is in conversation with US filmmaking studio Stargate Studios, to digitise real-world environments for film production. By creating high-fidelity digital replicas of physical spaces, dConstruct Robotics aims to create virtual sets that make production workflows more seamless and efficient.

Q: Robots in the arts and entertainment space – can you share more?

“Our entry into the US started with a clear mission: solving real challenges in construction. But conversations with leaders and veterans across industries quickly opened our eyes to possibilities in the entertainment and immersive experiences space.

There's a genuine appetite for new ideas and a willingness to push them further than you ever expected. That spirit is at the heart of why we're so committed to growing our presence across North America, beginning in Los Angeles.”

Peter Oh, General Manager (North America), dConstruct Robotics

Before IRVINS became synonymous with salted egg snacks, it was a seafood restaurant known for its signature salted egg crab.

By 2014, founder Irvin Gunawan and his team began experimenting with new ways to bring the rich, savoury flavour of salted egg to a wider audience. The result was a massive hit, giving rise to IRVINS’ now-iconic salted egg fish skin and potato chips.

Fast forward to today, while Singapore remains its largest market, IRVINS’ snacks can be found in shelves around the world, from the Philippines to the United States.

Through Enterprise Singapore’s Scale-Up programme, IRVINS sharpened its ambitions to build a stronger global presence. The company identified the US as a priority market, drawn by their large consumer bases and strong purchasing power. To deepen IRVINS’ presence in the country, we supported the brand’s participation in Natural Products Expo West, one of the country’s largest trade shows for food and consumer brands.

Today, IRVINS snacks can be found on the shelves of major US retailers such as Costco, H Mart, 99 Ranch Market, and more. Inspired by Costco’s “treasure hunt” shopping experience, IRVINS continues to innovate with new products every year, keeping shoppers coming back to discover what’s new.

Q: From Cold Storage to Costco – any advice for businesses looking to venture into the US?

“Believe in your product! If what you offer is unique enough, there will be demand for it. Equally important is choosing the right mode of entry into a new market. For example, partnering with a distributor can help your business build market presence while managing risks more effectively.

As you're entering a new market, it's also important to have safeguards, such as adequate insurance coverage, and to pace your growth sustainably. Ultimately, everyone's journey is different, so choose what's best for your business.”

Ivan Gunawan, Co-founder and General Manager (North America), IRVINS

Different markets offer distinct opportunities and advantages. How do you know which one best aligns with your business goals and growth ambitions?

Get a first-hand experience of what each market has to offer through our in-market trips and business missions. Stand a chance to connect with overseas customers, partners, distributors and investors, and gain valuable insights into local market dynamics and demand.

To showcase Singapore’s strengths to the world, we also bring our local companies to major overseas events, trade fairs and conferences such as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and The Medtech Conference. These platforms enable businesses to share their innovations and foster strategic partnerships.

These opportunities offer clarity on which markets a business can expand into, and the requirements to succeed there.

Great, you’ve just entered your market of choice. What now?

Here’s where our network of over 35 overseas centres around the world comes in. Partner us to establish a foothold through introductions to the right partners, business opportunities and support to refine your market strategies.

Our newest overseas centre is in Austin, Texas, reflects our commitment to helping Singapore businesses access opportunities in the US.

Q: Can you share more on why Enterprise Singapore decided to focus on Austin, Texas?

“Texas holds a special place in Singapore's trade story. As our 2nd largest state trading partner in the US, it is a relationship we deeply value and are excited to grow. At the heart of this is Austin, the state capital, which has become a vibrant hub and home to global industry titans like Apple and Tesla, making it a magnet for Singapore companies looking to forge meaningful commercial partnerships and establish a strong foothold in the US market.

What also makes Austin exciting is its thriving startup and innovation ecosystem – a spirit that mirrors Singapore's own entrepreneurial energy, making it a natural bridge for our startups to connect, collaborate, and co-create solutions that can scale globally. And we are committed. The Singapore-Austin Memorandum of Understanding, signed with Mayor Kirk Watson, opens doors for companies from both cities to work together across high-growth sectors including advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and connectivity, and technology – building the global products and solutions of tomorrow, together.”

Seow Hui Lim, Director (Americas), Enterprise Singapore

Establishing a foothold is but the first step. Sustaining growth comes next. Here’s how we can help your business catalyse global partnerships.

Leverage our in-market connections to meet the right partners and ready your business for long-term success. Collaborate with leading ecosystem players, market consultants and other experts to build partnerships and navigate areas such as import regulations.

“At Enterprise Singapore, we also connect you with leading US ecosystem players and firms such as Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Apollo Global and Energy Impact Partners These opportunities offer access to funding, expertise and many other opportunities within the US, allowing you to scale with confidence.”

Darren Lee, Regional Director (New York Overseas Centre), Enterprise Singapore