Six decades ago, Singapore was little more than a bustling entrepôt with big ambitions. Today, it has transformed into a global innovation hub.
Walk through our research and maker labs on campus and you’ll encounter students, graduates, and researchers methodically challenging the status quo — from innovative foodtech products made from sustainable sources to toxic-free paint that purifies air. Singapore’s start-ups are not chasing trends, they are creating them. More importantly, they are turning bold ideas into tangible impact that reshapes our world.
So, here’s our invitation: Discover our startups working on something that intrigues you — and try their products.
The next 60 years start now. Let’s make them count.
Food
1. OMG! Probiotic Beer
Fermentation meets innovation in this groundbreaking brew from an NUS spinoff that produced Singapore’s first probotic wheat beer. Developed using patented probiotic strains, this refreshing beverage offers a gut-friendly twist on beer.
Celebrating SG60, OMG! Probiotic Beer launched a limited-edition collection designed to mark Singapore’s milestone with celebration and science. Featured in The Straits Times, the beer is available in three flavours, and carries live probiotics that survive the brewing process, offering both enjoyment and wellness in every sip.
Check out their latest offerings here: https://ohmyguts.io/shop/
tHEMEat is a startup behind the world’s first non-GMO, vegan heme iron supplement, designed to support the nutritional needs of vegans, vegetarians and health-conscious individuals alike. The startup successfully completed the NUS Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP), which supported the team in bringing their research to market.
Iron deficiency and fatigue are common concerns. VEME’s bioavailable formulation mirrors the natural form of iron our bodies absorb best, delivering maximum benefits with minimal gastrointestinal discomfort. At just $1 a day, VEME helps sustain energy levels and cognitive performance, making it an accessible solution for daily wellness.
The moonbeam.co is a purpose-driven company reimagining what cookies can be: delicious, sustainable, while creating social impact. Beyond flavour, their cookies are made with upcycled barley fibre or coffee grounds, turning food waste into indulgent bites, part of their “WTF (waste-to-food)” philosophy. The brand also champions zero-waste baking and supports social employment through partnerships with local communities.
To celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday, they have launched a limited-edition Bandung Rose Cookie, inspired by the nostalgic pink drink and designed in the red-and-white spirit of the national flag. Crisp, floral and topped with edible petals, it’s a small treat with a big story!
SG60 Special:
- 6% off all cookies (excluding bundles)
- SG60 Bundles at special celebratory prices
- Free limited-edition Bandung Rose Cookies included in selected bundles
Explore the full SG60 collection (mobile only) or hit them up on Instagram.
Curated Culture is a health-tech startup founded by NUS Department of Food Science and Technology alumni, crafting functional probiotic and postbiotic beverages designed to support gut health, hydration, and natural recovery. Each drink is formulated with patented microbiome technology and contains no sugar, artificial flavours or preservatives.
Fan favourites include Relax Lychee Rose, Recover Tangy Citrus, and Relax Grape Acai, sugar-free vegan-friendly and proudly made in Singapore using a science-backed, clean-label approach.
As part of their SG60 celebrations, Curated Culture is offering a special bundle featuring Relax Lychee Rose, Grape Acai, and Tangy Citrus for just $60 (usual price: $93.60). They are also launching a new Probiotic Green Tea, available at 60% off when you use the code SG6060 at checkout
Boxgreen is a certified B-Corporation and Singapore-based snack brand dedicated to making healthier snacking both accessible and impactful. Their plant-based treats are free from artificial flavours, preservatives and colourings and crafted into thoughtfully curated products like dried fruit, mushroom chips, nut mixes and the fan-favourite Crunchies series.
All snacks are packed sustainably by beneficiaries of the Yellow Ribbon Project at Changi Prison. This is a core part of their “Snack Good, Do Good” philosophy, providing meaningful training and employment.
Among its offerings are the Merlion Gift Box, a special-edition gift box priced at $28 (usual price: $48).
SG60 Special: From 21 July to 17 August, enjoy a snack-filled surprise with every order placed on their website as part of their SG60 celebration.
Education
GoTechUp x ARTECROBO is making STEM education interactive and accessible by replacing expensive robotic kits with powerful digital simulations, delivering the same hands-on learning experience at a fraction of the cost.
Designed for users (age 7 -16), the platform takes you through 115 progressive levels that teach coding skills and computational thinking through hands-on experimentation. It’s an ideal resource for home-schoolers, educators, and curious young minds (age 7-16) eager to explore the world of STEM.
GoTechUp is a social enterprise and graduate of the TS2 (Technology for Sustainable Social Impact) accelerator programme by NUS Enterprise and raiSE SG.
SG60 Special: Enjoy 50% off –now just SGD 25/month (U.P. SGD 50)
7. Stick'Em
Stick’Em is a Singapore-based BLOCK71 startup on a mission to make STEM education more fun and affordable. Using biodegradable chopsticks, modular connectors, and plug-and-play electronics, their kits allow students to build functional robots and mechanical structures at a fraction of the cost of traditional robotics sets.
The startup empowers kids to create wildly imaginative projects with their low-cost chopstick STEAM kit, unlocking every child’s creative potential.
Lifestyle
8. Gush
Gush, a materials science startup set up by NUS Business School alumni is reimagining what paint can do. While most conventional paints release harmful gases like formaldehyde, Gush’s Care and CleanCare Series are formulated without toxic chemicals and go a step further by actively purifying the air. These innovative paints transform everyday walls into air-cleansing surfaces that help remove pollutants, odours and allergens, creating a safer and healthier environment for all, especially children and pets.
More than just a coat of colour, Gush’s paint represent a new standard in home wellness, one that prioritises clean air, comfort, and peace of mind.
SG60 Special: Enjoy exclusive savings with discount code NUS8 on your next Gush purchase at gush.earth
Boost VitaliTEA is a wellness start-up redefining Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for today’s fast-paced world. By blending time-honoured TCM principles with modern science, founder Sean Tan (Business ’24) has crafted a series of portable essential oil blends aimed at supporting mental wellness.
The brand’s TCM-inspired Neuro series blends traditional herbs and essential oils to support mental wellness. Lavender NeuroSerenity promotes relaxation and restful sleep with ingredients like lavender, chamomile and jasmine, while Peppermint NeuroFocus enhances clarity and concentration using peppermint, rosemary and ginseng. Designed for modern minds, each blend brings ancient wisdom into daily self-care.
SG60 Special: Enjoy 60% off when you opt for self-collection at BLOCK71 Singapore (valid till 30 August 2025). Simply email hello@boostvitalitea.com to place an order and arrange a pick-up.
Prefer delivery? Standard pricing is available via Shopee.
ROYO is an innovative NUS start-up transforming paper waste such as discarded cupboard, into sustainable vegan leather.
Founded by NUS Business School alumnus Jiarong Xie (Business ’25), ROYO’s sustainable vegan leather is 40% more biodegradable and generates 30% fewer carbon emissions than conventional alternatives, thanks to its use of upcycled waste instead of virgin materials. Economically, scalable production and affordable feedstocks allow ROYO to offer its material at nearly half the price of other vegan leathers on the market.
Visually, ROYO’s “Earthskin” series breaks from typical animal-hide imitations, showcasing the raw beauty of natural textures inspired by traditional Japanese Momigami and Chinese oil paper craftsmanship, giving the material a unique cultural story.
ROYO is currently developing B2B partnerships and invites fashion, packaging and lifestyle brands to adopt its sustainable material. They also provide corporate gifting solutions made from their unique eco-leather.
Scent Journer is a Singapore-based fragrance start-up founded by NUS chemistry graduate Joyce Lian (Science ’19). The brand creates mindfully formulated perfumes using over 85% natural-origin ingredients, free from methanol, cruelty, and harsh synthetics.
Celebrating SG60, Scent Journer offers signature fragrances like Clouds in Heaven, A Starlit Spell, and The Blooming Jewel, alongside unique offerings like their Kaya Toast Limited Edition Candle that captures Singapore’s nostalgic essence. Crafted with sustainable ingredients including sugarcane-derived alcohol and upcycled clove leaf oil, each product integrates wellness with environmental consciousness.
As we celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday, it’s clear that our spirit of innovation is stronger than ever. These home-grown start-ups represent the future, where creativity meets purpose to tackle real-world challenges in wellness, sustainability, and technology.
This SG60, supporting local innovators, means more than just celebrating achievements; it’s about investing in solutions that will shape our nation for decades to come.
This article first appeared in Enterprise SPARKS, a publication of NUS Enterprise.
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