Murata and Tribe Launch Kumihimo Tech Camp Singapore 2026 for Medtech Startups

Murata Electronics Singapore and Tribe are bringing Murata’s flagship open innovation program to Southeast Asia and India for the first time, with a strong focus on MedTech solutions designed for the region’s healthcare challenges.

The new KUMIHIMO Tech Camp Singapore 2026 will run through 2026 and invite deep-tech and MedTech startups from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and India to co-create healthcare innovations with Murata.

The program is being launched in partnership with Tribe, Southeast Asia’s leading open innovation platform, which will design and manage the program from startup selection to mentorship, Demo Day, and post-program commercial pathways.

Addressing Healthcare Gaps Across ASEAN and India

ASEAN and India represent more than two billion people and some of the world’s most complex healthcare environments.

The region faces different but connected challenges, including ageing populations, rising chronic diseases, maternal and child health gaps, infectious diseases, environmental health risks, and uneven access to affordable screening and diagnosis outside major cities.

KUMIHIMO Tech Camp Singapore 2026 will focus on three challenge areas: preventing and detecting chronic and infectious diseases, monitoring health risks linked to pollution, heat, and climate change, and expanding affordable screening and diagnosis beyond urban centers.

What Startups Can Expect

Selected startups will join a structured program that includes technical onboarding, mentorship, and direct collaboration with Murata’s engineering and business development teams.

Participants may receive access to Murata’s hardware platforms, components, and core technologies, along with guidance from Murata engineers, business representatives, MedTech experts, and Tribe mentors.

Tribe will also provide structured mentor pairings and Demo Day pitch coaching to help teams refine both their technology and business strategy.

The program will culminate in Demo Day on November 26, 2026 in Singapore, where startups will present to Murata leadership, Tribe mentors, and invited industry partners.

One winning team will receive a SGD 10,000 cash prize, while high-potential teams may continue into Proof-of-Concept, Non-Recurring Engineering engagements, and longer-term co-development opportunities with Murata.

Who Can Apply

The program is open to deep-tech and MedTech startups headquartered or operating in eligible countries, including the Philippines.

Applicants must be at Technology Readiness Level 3 and above and must offer disease-centric solutions that combine hardware and software.

Eligible startups may leverage Murata’s existing component technologies or apply one of three core technology tracks: Downsizing Technology, Sensing Technology, or Information and Communications Technology.

Purely lifestyle or wellness-focused solutions, as well as pharmaceutical or biological approaches, are outside the program’s scope.

Applications open in mid-June 2026 and close on July 31, 2026. The top 10 teams will be selected by mid-August, with the development phase scheduled from September to November 2026.

Building Solutions for Local Healthcare Realities

According to DM Venkatesan, General Manager for Regional New Business Development at Murata Electronics Singapore, healthcare challenges in ASEAN and India require solutions built for local realities.

“The healthcare challenges across ASEAN and India are real and urgent, and off-the-shelf technology was not built to solve them,” he said.

Yi Ming Ng, Co-Founder of Tribe Accelerator, said Tribe will support selected teams through regional networks, expert sessions, and investor connections to help turn strong technical ideas into deployable and commercially viable healthcare solutions.

From Technology to Regional Impact

By connecting Murata’s engineering capabilities with Tribe’s startup ecosystem, KUMIHIMO Tech Camp Singapore 2026 creates a pathway for startups to develop solutions that can respond to practical healthcare needs across the region.

For Filipino MedTech and deep-tech startups, the program offers a meaningful opportunity to collaborate with a global electronics leader, access regional mentorship, and test solutions that may help improve healthcare access and outcomes for underserved communities.