Stellar Lifestyle, the business arm of SMRT, has announced the launch of Stellarate 3.0, the third edition of its retail and ad-tech accelerator programme. Developed in collaboration with Japan’s JR East Group and Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SMU IIE), the programme aims to uncover new technology-enabled concepts that can transform the retail and advertising experience across train stations.
Since its launch, Stellarate has been a platform for innovation in commuter spaces, drawing over 150 start-up submissions in its past two editions. With solutions ranging from robotic retail formats to data-driven video ads, the programme continues to explore ways to reimagine how commuters interact with brands, F&B, and retail within the transit network.
Empowering innovation through partnerships and funding
Stellarate 3.0 offers winning start-ups a chance to secure funding from a pool of over S$130,000 in grants, along with the opportunity to pilot their solutions within SMRT’s transit retail ecosystem. In partnership with JRE Ventures, the investment arm of Japan’s largest passenger railway operator JR East, the programme also opens doors for start-ups to access Japan’s extensive transit retail market.
UOB, a supporting partner, is offering exclusive benefits to help winners scale their businesses. These include waivers on financing support fees for the first two years, access to profiling and networking opportunities, and complimentary guidance on digital transformation. Selected participants will also receive up to S$10,000 in credits under UOB BizSmart, a suite of digital tools designed to enhance business productivity.
The programme has also formalised a strategic tie-up with SMU IIE, providing selected start-ups with incubation support under its Business Innovations Generator (BIG) initiative. Through BIG, founders will have access to a co-working space, guidance from faculty and industry mentors, and introductions to venture capital firms. To date, BIG has incubated more than 560 start-ups which have raised over S$740 million in funding.
Tony Heng, President of Stellar Lifestyle, said, “Stellarate 3.0 reflects our unwavering commitment to shaping the future of transit retail and supporting SMEs through open innovation. By co-creating with start-ups, tech enablers, and forward-thinking brands, we are not only enhancing commuter experiences but also unlocking new value across the retail and media ecosystems. These collaborations bring to life real-world solutions with scalable potential—both in Singapore and regionally. Through Stellarate 3.0, we empower SMEs to grow and innovate, unlocking new opportunities, fuelling economic vibrancy, and reshaping the business landscape.”
Expanding real-world impact through successful case studies
The results from previous editions show the programme’s real-world potential. UNISTOP, a 2024 winner, has since doubled its robotic vending machine units in Singapore—from five to ten. These machines use a robotic arm to retrieve purchases and are currently deployed in room-sized formats. The company is also expanding globally, with plans to enter markets such as Australia, Japan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
The 2025 edition is looking for practical and tech-driven proposals that can improve operational productivity for transit merchants, enable more targeted Out-of-Home advertising, and create better ways for commuters to discover and engage with station-based brands. Start-ups that can use real-time local data to boost sales or reduce manpower needs will be of particular interest.
Applications for Stellarate 3.0 are open from 26 May to 30 June 2025 at https://stellarlifestyle.com.sg/stellarate. A submission fee of S$109 applies but will be fully refunded to all winners. Eligible applicants must have a paid-up capital of at least S$50,000 and gross turnover of S$120,000 or more as of 2024. The programme is open to both local and international start-ups.
