We believe in the power of collaborative ventures combining the best of corporate strength and startup agility.
Innovation doesn’t happen by accident. Structure, capital, and real-world deployment turn ideas into breakthroughs.
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The GEAR Startup CoLab Programme facilitates startups to accelerate product and business validation in a live testbed environment with the opportunity to solve real business challenges and co-create new solutions with Kajima.
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Accelerating scaled-up commercialisation of breakthrough technology by providing startups with access to world-class facilities, mentorship, networks, funding and a structured framework for collaborative projects.
Shape
Our experienced coaches and industry mentors guide startups through a customer discovery phase to understand real industry problems and shape a POC that can demonstrate value.
Validate
We provide non-dilutive grant funding for POC projects, then assign a dedicated project manager to keep timelines on track, stakeholders accountable and ensure outcomes are realised.
Scale
Post POC, we work together to quantify the outcomes and identify opportunities to scale-up the rollout at a larger scale at multiple locations
Programme Benefits
Entire value chain
Access the end-to-end built environment value chain - from property development, construction and smart-facility management.
Customer deep dives
Understand real industry problems through close collaboration and insights exchange with Kajima leaders.
Network expansion
Expand your network with exclusive access to a tight-knit community of likeminded startups, VCs and local and global ecosystem partners.
Testbed facilities
Accelerate solution validation in world-class innovation testbeds with access to data and R&D facilities.
Project management
Be assigned a dedicated project manager who is accountable for achieving outcomes from your POC.
Investment potential
Opportunity to receive equity funding post-POC from Kajima Ventures.
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Grant funding
Receive non-dilutive grant funding for your POC to fast-tack commercial deployment.
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Office space
Receive 1 year of office space and meeting room access at The GEAR (CAP Premium Membership).
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Supported by top built environment and startup
ecosystem organisations
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Industry Partners
Network Partners
Sustainability in Construction & Building Operations
Reducing energy consumption, water use and carbon emissions for both construction sites and operational facilities. Includes use of sustainable materials during construction, and for interiors.
Smart Buildings & Occupant Wellbeing
Supporting operations for our building of the future, that prioritise the occupant experience. Includes monitoring user behaviour, developing new building insights and AI for large dataset processing.
Productivity & Safety on Construction Sites
Solutions to enhance construction site efficiency and safety by optimising staff productivity, automating repetitive processes, and improving compliance with safety procedures and PPE.
Next Generation Facilities & Infrastructure Management
Improving infrastructure resilience through enhanced asset maintenance and monitoring of sub-surface conditions.
Programme Timeline
Applications open
24 April - 11 July 2025
Click here to fill in the application form!
Applicants will be assessed and interviewed on a rolling basis.
Intake 1: Selection
13 June - 11 July
The first intake of four startups will go through to the final interview stage with final selection being made by 11th July.
Intake 1:
Programme Phase 1
​Shape
21 July - 21 September
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Biweekly group sessions and 1:1 coaching .
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Facilitated customer development process, with access to Kajima employees for discovery interviews.
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Shape your value proposition specifically for Kajima's context.
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Build a compelling POC proposal.
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Pitch your proposal for funding to cover project costs.
Intake 1:
Programme Phase 2
​Validate
September onwards
(duration depending on POC project length)
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For approved POC projects, this phase oversees the successful delivery of the project.
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Dedicated project manager for each project to ensure stakeholders are engaged and timelines are adhered to.
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Support for end-of-project outcomes report and business case for further implementation.
Post Programme
Integration Support
Intake 2: Selection
11 July - 8 August
The second intake of four startups will go through to the final interview stage with final selection being made by 8th August
Intake 2:
Programme Phase 1
​Shape
11 August - 11 October
See left for Phase 1 inclusions.
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Intake 2:
Programme Phase 2
​Validate
October onwards
(duration depending on POC project length)
See left for Phase 2 inclusions.
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As required, The GEAR team will facilitate moving to a scaled-up implementation of the solution locally and across Kajima subsidiaries internationally.
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