Murata Electronics Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“Murata”) has partnered with Tribe to launch KUMIHIMO Tech Camp Singapore 2026, bringing the company’s flagship open innovation programme to Southeast Asia and India for the first time.
The inaugural regional edition focuses on MedTech. It invites startups across ASEAN and India to co-create healthcare solutions that address the region’s most pressing medical challenges. By combining Murata’s engineering expertise with Tribe’s innovation ecosystem, the programme aims to accelerate the commercialisation of locally relevant healthcare technologies.
Tackling Healthcare Challenges Across ASEAN and India
ASEAN and India are home to more than two billion people. However, both regions continue to face diverse healthcare challenges.
These include ageing populations, rising rates of chronic diseases, gaps in maternal and child healthcare, and unequal access to medical services. As a result, the programme encourages startups to develop technologies designed specifically for local healthcare needs rather than relying on imported solutions.
KUMIHIMO Tech Camp Singapore 2026 focuses on three challenge areas where Murata’s hardware capabilities can complement startup innovation.
First, participants can develop solutions that prevent and detect chronic and infectious diseases. Second, they can address health risks linked to pollution, heat and climate change. Finally, they can improve access to affordable screening and diagnostic services beyond major urban centres.
Technical Support and Industry Mentorship
Selected startups will join a structured programme that combines technical onboarding, mentorship and direct collaboration with Murata’s engineering and business development teams.
Participants can access Murata’s hardware platforms, electronic components and core technologies. In addition, Murata engineers and business representatives will provide technical guidance throughout the programme.
Meanwhile, Tribe will organise one-to-one mentoring sessions with MedTech experts and deliver Demo Day pitch coaching to help startups strengthen both their technologies and business strategies.
The programme will conclude with Demo Day on 26 November 2026 in Singapore. During the event, participating startups will pitch their innovations to Murata executives, Tribe mentors and invited industry partners.
One winning startup will receive a SGD 10,000 cash prize. Beyond the competition, high-potential teams may continue into proof-of-concept and non-recurring engineering projects with Murata. They may also explore longer-term co-development and commercial partnership opportunities.
Strengthening Open Innovation in MedTech
Tribe will manage the programme from startup recruitment through post-programme commercial engagement.
The collaboration combines Murata’s global expertise in electronic components and engineering with Tribe’s extensive network of startups, mentors and industry experts across the Asia-Pacific region. Consequently, participating companies will gain both technical support and valuable market connections.
DM Venkatesan, General Manager, Regional New Business Development at Murata Electronics Singapore Pte. Ltd., said the healthcare challenges across ASEAN and India require solutions built specifically for local markets.
“The healthcare challenges across ASEAN and India are real and urgent, and off-the-shelf technology was not built to solve them.”
He added that startups capable of combining hardware innovation with local market knowledge are best positioned to deliver meaningful impact. Furthermore, he said Tribe’s ecosystem makes it the ideal partner to build lasting value beyond a single edition of the programme.
Yi Ming Ng, Co-Founder of Tribe Accelerator, said Tribe’s role extends beyond providing access to technology.
Instead, the organisation connects participating startups with strategists, investors and subject matter experts who have developed and invested in MedTech businesses across Southeast Asia and India. According to Ng, this combination of technical collaboration and market expertise helps transform promising innovations into commercially viable healthcare solutions.
Applications Open Until 31 July
Applications are open to deep-tech and MedTech startups headquartered or operating in eligible ASEAN countries and India.
Applicants must have reached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or above. In addition, their solutions must adopt a disease-centric hardware-and-software approach by leveraging Murata’s component technologies or one of its three technology tracks: Downsizing Technology, Sensing Technology or Information and Communications Technology.
However, the programme does not accept purely lifestyle or wellness solutions. It also excludes pharmaceutical and biological approaches.
Applications close on 31 July 2026. The organisers will announce the top 10 startups in mid-August. The development phase will then run from September to November before Demo Day takes place on 26 November 2026 in Singapore. Interested startups can find more information and apply via KUMIHIMO Tech Camp Singapore page: https://tribex.co/programs/kumihimo-singapore
