Meta has partnered with the Singapore Government to launch the Llama Incubator Program, the company’s first initiative of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region. The programme aims to drive innovation and enhance capabilities in open-source AI among start-ups, local SMEs, and public sector agencies.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Development & Information (MDDI), the InfoComm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech), Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), AI Singapore, and SGInnovate, Meta is taking an ecosystem-driven approach. With support from programme and technical partners e27 and Deloitte, the initiative will provide 100 organisations with access to Meta’s advanced open-source AI model, Llama. Of these, 40 will be incubated to develop solutions for real-world business and public sector challenges.
AI training and mentorship for participants
To mark the launch, Meta hosted a Foundational Workshop on Llama’s capabilities, including its built-in trust and safety tools. The event, attended by over 100 participants, featured a keynote speech from Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information & Health.
Simon Milner, Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy for APAC, highlighted the company’s commitment to responsible AI development. “At Meta, we aim to foster a collaborative community that drives progress in AI and ensures that these technologies are developed responsibly and for the benefit of all. The Llama Incubator Program will play an important role in driving that in Singapore. In partnership with government and industry partners, we are empowering local small businesses, driving innovative start-ups to scale and supporting public sector innovation,” he said.
The programme will run for six months, offering participants technical and business mentorship from industry experts. They will receive tailored guidance and access to technical resources to refine their AI applications using Llama.
Philbert Gomez, Executive Director of DISG, emphasised the programme’s role in advancing Singapore’s AI ecosystem. “Meta’s Llama Incubator Program empowers start-ups and Singapore-based corporates to leverage Llama models and expert mentorship to build AI solutions for real-world impact. Along with Meta’s product engineering presence based here, programmes like this continue to drive AI talent and capability development in Singapore, reinforcing Singapore’s ambition to be a leading hub for AI innovation in the region.”
Focus on AI safety and public sector collaboration
A key aspect of the initiative is AI safety, with participants learning to use Llama’s trust and safety tools alongside IMDA’s AI Verify open-source testing toolkit and Project Moonshot safety framework.
The Singapore Government also sees this as an opportunity to harness AI for public service needs. Goh Wei Boon, Chief Executive of GovTech, noted, “The Llama Incubator Program is an excellent platform for the Public Service to customise AI solutions for its specific needs. The government track provides public officers with the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners in developing innovative AI-driven solutions. GovTech looks forward to collaborating with Meta on this initiative.”
Meta has been actively supporting AI innovation worldwide, and this programme underscores the impact of open-source AI in tackling complex challenges across multiple sectors.
“By democratising access to open-source AI, we’re unlocking a brighter future where powerful tools are within reach of everyone, empowering innovators to create solutions that serve humanity and drive meaningful progress. This approach not only fosters transparency, safety, and accountability but also levels the playing field for underrepresented groups, start-ups, and researchers, ensuring that the benefits of AI are equitably distributed and its potential is fully realised,” added Milner.
As part of the Upskill with Meta initiative in Singapore, the programme will conclude with a Demo Day in October 2025. Participants will showcase their AI-driven Llama solutions, demonstrating how they can improve efficiency and solve real-world problems for businesses and the public sector.
