This listing outlines Dimension X Cohort 8, a global open innovation challenge operated by Hatch that connects deep-tech start-ups, university spin-outs, and scale-ups with real-world public safety challenges from Singapore’s Home Team. The programme focuses on rapid proof-of-concept validation, offers non-dilutive funding, and is in its open call phase until November 6, 2026.
Programme Overview
• Programme: Dimension X Cohort 8
• Operator: Hatch
• Format: Global open innovation challenge
• Duration: Four months
• Focus: Rapid proof-of-concept validation in real public safety environments
• End-user context: Public safety challenges sourced from Singapore’s Home Team
• Participant profile: Deep-tech start-ups, university spin-outs, and scale-ups across all industry sectors, countries, and funding stages
• Cohort 8 open call: Ends on November 6, 2026
• Action: Register your interest or apply now
• Upcoming: Hatch @ KPEX 2026, coming soon; Dimension X Cohort 8 Demo Day, coming soon
• Strategic aim: Balance rapid proof-of-concept validation with actual public safety operational requirements
• Outcome pathway: Selected teams co-develop proofs-of-concept with end-users and technical stakeholders; successful projects may explore pathways toward operational deployment
Cohort 8 Challenges
• Challenge sourcing: Hatch works with public safety end-user agencies such as Singapore’s Home Team to distill core needs through proprietary challenge discovery sprints; every published challenge has an owner to enable challenge-solution fit and mission impact
• Challenge 01: Improve emergency response times — how might technology enable responders to assess situations faster and coordinate resources more effectively?
• Challenge 02: Enhance operational intelligence — how can AI help detect anomalies, predict risks, and support better decision-making?
• Challenge 03: Strengthen critical infrastructure resilience — how might smart sensing and predictive monitoring reduce downtime and improve reliability?
• Challenge Statement #1: Detection of small aerial drones under challenging sensing conditions
• Challenge Statement #2: Countermeasures on non-emitting drones
• Challenge Statement #3: Autonomous collision avoidance of static and dynamic obstacles for small multi-rotor drones
• Challenge Statement #4: Real-time high-speed perception for existing Unmanned Surface Vessels
• Challenge Statement #5: Resilient vessel localisation in GNSS denied and spoofed environments
• Challenge Statement #6: Novel high-throughput standoff detection of concealed objects on person
• Out-of-the-Box Technologies: Other highly innovative and impactful technologies relevant to public safety
Programme Value
• Elite Operational Access: Test, refine, and validate frontier technology directly with real-world public safety end-users
• Non-Dilutive Architecture: Access up to SGD 100,000 in non-equity funding while retaining 100% ownership of IP
• Global Launchpad: Plug into an international network of deep-tech investors, leaders, and strategic partners built for scale
Programme Timeline
• Oct - Nov 2026 — Open Call: Submit application during the 1-month open call and demonstrate how the technology can solve or be adapted to the challenges
• Jan – Feb 2027 — Pitching: Selected applicants go through two rounds of assessments via online pitching to Hatch and Home Team challenge owners
• Feb – Mar 2027 — Start-up Selection and POC Planning: Identify suitable start-ups and define a structured Proof of Concept roadmap with clear objectives
• Mar 2027 — Onboarding: Successful applicants attend a 1-week in-person onboarding at Hatch and meet Home Team challenge owners for project scoping
• Mar - Jul 2027 — Development: Start-ups have four months to co-develop a working proof-of-concept that meets the operational requirements of their challenge owners
• July 2027 — Demo Day: On-site tests and a Demo Day where successful start-ups pitch live to public safety stakeholders and the innovation ecosystem
Programme Key Features
• Real World Challenges Funded For Impact: Hatch’s flagship open innovation challenge balances rigorous validation of actual challenges with rapid proof-of-concept research and development
• 4-month Programme — Innovation at Pace: The entire proof-of-concept development process is contained within four months to respect the resource outlay of public safety challenge owners and onboarded global start-ups
• Open Innovation Challenge — Local Opportunities, Available Globally: Open to all deep-tech start-ups globally; the programme is country agnostic, with applicants shortlisted on suitability and innovativeness of their technological solutions, provided they are willing and able to conduct proof-of-concept development remotely or in Singapore
• Championed By End-Users — Understand Operational Contexts and Requirements: All challenges are sourced directly from actual public safety end-users or operational stakeholders, creating a shared endpoint for challenge owners and selected start-ups
• Cohort Demo Day — Showcase To Decision Makers and Ecosystem: Each cohort concludes with an invite-only Demo Day attended by public safety decision makers, operational end-users, innovation ecosystem stakeholders, and investors from Singapore and beyond
Key Benefits
• 01 Access to End-Users: Collaborate directly with public safety challenge owners and stakeholders to understand operational needs and contexts
• 02 Expand Your Global Network: Connect with industry leaders, senior public safety stakeholders, strategic partners, investors, and global innovation ecosystems
• 03 Validate Your Proof-of-Concept: Showcase viability and impact of a proof-of-concept with S$100,000 prize money in real-world conditions during on-site tests
• 04 Cohort Demo Day: Pitch live to public safety and innovation ecosystem leaders, investors, and government stakeholders for other innovation and funding opportunities in Singapore and beyond
• 05 Accelerate Deployment: Receive post-programme advisory service with guidance and opportunities to move projects toward operational trials and deployment
• 06 Secure Non-Equity Funding: Receive S$100,000 in non-dilutive funding defined by project scope to develop and validate a proof-of-value in Singapore
What Participants Will Discover
• Real Challenges: Real public safety challenges sourced from end users
• Past Cohorts: Technology opportunities explored through past cohorts
• Innovation Pathways: Examples of successful innovation pathways
• Evaluation: Insights into how solutions are evaluated and validated
Application Process
• Application form steps: Step 1 of 5 — Complete the online application form; Step 2 of 5 — Submit your company profile, technology overview, and supporting materials; Step 3 of 5 — Select the challenge statement or focus area most relevant to your solution; Step 4 of 5 — Complete the online application form; Step 5 of 5 — Complete the online application form
• Overall selection journey: 01 — Apply during the twice-yearly release of the Dimension X open call; 02 — Select the challenge statement(s) your technology is able to solve; 03 — Submit your technology overview and how your solution addresses your chosen challenge(s), company profile, and all other materials listed in the form; 04 — Supplement any further information requested by the Hatch team, if any; 05 — Applicants shortlisted for interviews will be contacted within 2 to 3 months
• The process is deliberately lightweight; the core requirement is how your innovative deep-tech solution can solve the published challenge
• Register your interest or apply now via the official programme channels
Past Challenges
• Cohort 7 — Challenge Statement #1: Retrofit existing response vehicles for safe and reliable supervised autonomous operations
• Cohort 7 — Challenge Statement #2: Multi-fleet autonomous vehicle management with teleoperation control
• Cohort 7 — Challenge Statement #3: High-speed, close-range immobilisation and interdiction of vehicles within dense environments
• Cohort 7 — Challenge Statement #4: Next-generation mobility platforms for rapid aerial emergency response to remote mission areas
• Cohort 7 — Challenge Statement #5: Intelligent pro-active detection and disruption of online scams
• Cohort 7 — Challenge Statement #6: Automated proactive context-aware cyber threat analysis for next-generation SOC defense
• Cohort 7 — Challenge Statement #7: Enhancing decision-making through explainable AI to synthesize insights across diverse data sources
• Cohort 7 — Challenge Statement #8: Autonomous detection of hidden illicit substances in vehicles
• Cohort 7 — Challenge Statement #9: Measure and benchmark carbon emissions avoided through early firefighting response
• Cohort 7 — Challenge Statement #10: Digital representation of complex crime scenes for evidence tracking, spatial awareness and analysis
• Cohort 7 — Challenge Statement #11: Highly innovative and impactful technologies relevant to public safety
Frequently Asked Questions
• Who is eligible to participate? There are no geographical or company size requirements. All applicants must either own the IP or have a valid license to use the IP of the technology solution proposed.
• What stage should my technology be at? Dimension X looks for deep-tech solutions in the reference range of Technology Readiness Levels 4 to 7. The key is to have a working prototype that is untested in the public safety operational environment.
• What if the solution fits more than one challenge statement? Start-ups can apply for more than one challenge statement by selecting them in the application form. Applicants should ensure the pitch deck explains their technologies and how they are relevant to the selected challenge statement(s).
• What are the selection criteria? Applicants are evaluated on fit to challenge, novelty of technology, relevant team experience, and business model. The entire selection process is conducted virtually.
• What happens after submission of the application? Shortlisted applicants receive an invitation to pitch to the challenge owners. Finalists meet challenge owners in one-to-one virtual meetings to learn more about the challenge statement(s), then submit a proposal for final selection.
• Who will evaluate the submitted proposal for Dimension X? A panel of Hatch, Home Team challenge owners, and relevant tech experts from HTX (Home Team Science & Technology Agency) evaluates applications.
• Will participants have to give up any equity or IP? Hatch does not retain equity or ownership of the solution developed during the programme. Participants retain full and exclusive ownership of their information and intellectual property rights.
• Can an off-the-shelf solution be proposed for Dimension X? Applicants offering customisations to existing solutions to meet challenge requirements are eligible. Applicants with purely market-ready products without customisations are not eligible for Dimension X, but may contact Hatch to be considered for other programmes.
• What is expected during the programme? Participants are expected to develop a working proof-of-concept. All participants are required to fly to Singapore twice for one week each: once during onboarding week and once at the end of the programme for Demo Day and on-site tests. The prize money is intended to cover all proof-of-concept development costs and travel arrangements; no extra travel allowance will be disbursed.
• How will the prize money be disbursed? The S$100,000 prize money is intended to cover all POC development costs and travel arrangements. It is disbursed in two tranches: 50% after contract signing and 50% after submission of information for closing report.
• Where will the on-site tests and Demo Day be held? Both are held in Singapore, and all participants are required to be in-country to attend. On-site tests are held at a location selected by the challenge owner. Demo Day is on a separate day and location and includes exhibition time and a pitch slot per participant.
• Can applicants amend or resubmit their proposals? Please do not resubmit. Reach out to the Hatch team via the contact form for changes or amendments to the original submission.
• How many awardees can each challenge statement have? The exact number of awarded applicants per challenge statement depends on the challenge owner, with the default otherwise being one.
• How will applicants awarded under the "Out-of-the-box innovative technologies" category proceed without a challenge statement? If selected, Hatch will match a challenge owner covering a related domain area to champion the proof-of-concept development in the programme.
• How will the information submitted in the application be shared? Information is made available only to Hatch, the selection panel, and challenge owners from contributing public safety agencies such as the Home Team. If selected, a participant’s proposed solution may be announced in the public domain for marketing promotions.
• How will access to potentially sensitive data be managed? Access to potentially sensitive data is handled case-by-case between the awarded applicant and challenge owner. If real data cannot be shared, the challenge owner may request the use of open source or simulated data.
• What happens after the programme? Hatch provides support and guidance for scaling successful proofs-of-concept from Dimension X toward opportunities for operational trials, with the eventual goal of deployment.
This listing captures the core structure of Dimension X Cohort 8, from challenge statements and timelines to programme benefits and application requirements. Public safety stakeholders and deep-tech solution providers interested in the open call ending November 6, 2026 can register interest, apply, or seek further information through the official programme channels.