About Course
Eager to get your SME from surviving to thriving?
You don’t have to navigate your business challenges alone. With the right skills, tools, mentors, peer network and an exclusive ecosystem of partners, you can achieve your business goals, faster and sustainably.
In this programme, we will address your business challenges and pain points head-on. Whether you are faced with resource constraints or stalled growth, our ground-up approach to business innovation ensures you are well-equipped to tackle challenges and find solutions that last.
You will learn directly from SMEs owners like you who had successfully overcome challenges to achieve measurable growth. They will share their real breakthrough stories and help you discover how the right mindset, connections, and support can transform your business.
You will receive practical advice, strategic insights, and hands-on support from experienced mentors who understands. They will help you make confident decisions and stay on track.
You will be connected with an exclusive eco-system of partners, like SIT Innovation Hub, Food Plant, A*Star and IPI. They will become the extension of your expertise, resource and network in your business pursuits.
Don't settle with merely surviving. Fast-track your SME's growth with winning mentorship and innovation today!
Skills you’ll gain
Executive Education
Business Management
Design Innovation
Leadership and Communication
Who Will Benefit
SME business owners and executives ready to fast-track the achievement of their business goals.
Prerequisites
Minimum 8 to 10 years of leading or managing SME business in Singapore.
Learning Outcomes
Hands-on Business Innovation Planning
- Learn tools to spot new opportunities for your business and meet customer needs.
- Devise and explore practical ideas that can improve your business model or grow your business.
- Collaborate with course participants to refine your plans through feedback.
Introduction to Open Innovation
- Find out what Open Innovation means and why it matters for SMEs.
- Learn how collaborations can help your business grow faster through real journeys of SMEs who had been there and done it.
Think Like an Innovator
- Develop a mindset that looks for opportunities instead of waiting for them.
- Learn how to spot problems, find solutions, and turn ideas into actions for your business.
- Set achievable goals that help your business grow steadily and successfully.
Lead Change Successfully
- Discover how to make changes with the support of people within your business.
- Learn how to communicate clearly, overcome resistance, and ensure action of change are made.
- Plan and practice steps that help your plans stick.
Build and Leverage Your Network
- Find out who can help you gain new expertise or reach new customers.
- Be connected with ecosystem partners like SIT Innovation Hub, Food Plant, A*STAR and IPI.
- Learn how build relationship and collaborate with partners effectively.
Teaching Team
Lim Chon Phung
Adjunct Associate Professor, Business, Communication and Design, Singapore Institute of Technology
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Yong Hsin Ning
Adjunct Associate Professor, Business, Communication and Design, Singapore Institute of Technology
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Course Details
Schedule
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Day 1: 21 Nov 2025
Introduction to Open Innovation
Time Topics 9:00 – 9:45 Introduction, Programme Outline & Expectations Setting 9:45 – 10:45 Concept: What is Innovation and Innovation Life Cycle 10:45 – 11:00 Break 11:00 – 12:30 Local SME Case Study #1 & Application Activity 12:30 – 13:30 Lunch 13:30 – 14:45 Local SME Case Study #2 14:45 – 15:45 Concept: Open Innovation & Application Activity 15:45 – 16:00 Break 16:10 – 17:00 Innovation Continuum (Exploration and Exploitation) 17:30 – 18:00 Reflection -
Day 2: 22 Nov 2025
Structured Business Innovation and Risk Management
Time Topics 9:00 – 9:15 Recap 9:15 – 10:45 Business Model Frameworks 10:45 – 11:00 Break 11:00 – 12:00 Business Shift Patterns 12:00 – 12:30 Local SME Case Study #3 & Application Activity 12:30 – 13:30 Lunch 13:30 – 15:00 Managing Innovation Risks 15:00 – 15:15 Break 15:15 – 17:00 Class Exercise: Applying Business Innovation Frameworks 17:00 – 18:00 Reflection -
Day 3: 28 Nov 2025
Innovative Mindset
Time Topics 9:30 – 10:30 Introduction of the Proactive Behaviour Mindset 10:30 – 10:45 Break 10:45 – 11:30 Local SME Case Study #4 11:30 – 12:30 Practise Identifying Proactive Behaviour (Part 1) 12:30 – 13:30 Lunch 13:30 – 14:15 Local SME Case Study #5 14:15 – 14:45 Practise Identifying Proactive Behaviour (Part 2) 14:45 – 15:15 Break 15:30 – 17:30 Apply Goal Setting to Project 17:30 – 18:00 Reflection -
Day 4: 29 Nov 2025
Innovative Mindset (cont'd) and Change Management
Time Topics 9:00 – 9:30 Recap 9:30 – 10:30 Information Gathering 10:30 – 10:45 Break 10:45 – 11:45 Action Planning and Implementation 11:45 – 12:30 Feedback 12:30 – 13:30 Lunch 13:30 – 15:15 Change Management: Head Heart Hand 15:15 – 15:30 Break 15:30 – 17:30 Change Management: Stakeholder Commitment 17:30 – 18:00 Reflection -
Day 5: 5 Dec 2025
Social Capital and Ecosystem Dialogue/Networking
Time Topics 9:00 – 9:30 Recap 9:30 – 10:30 Boundary Spanning (Ecosystem) Leadership 10:30 – 11:30 Introduction to Social Capital 11:30 – 11:45 Break 11:45 – 13:00 Case Studies and Class Activities: Strategic Advantage 13:30 – 14:00 Lunch 14:00 – 16:30 Panel Discussion – A*STAR, IPI, SIT Innohub 16:30 – 16:45 Break 16:45 – 18:00 Reflection -
Day 6: 6 Dec 2025
Assessment
Time Topics 9:00 – 18:00 Assessment: Presentations & Innovation Project Outcomes
Certificate and Assessment
A Certificate of Attainment will be issued to participants who:
- Attend at least 75% of the course
- Undertake and pass non-credit bearing assessment during the course
Participants who meet the attendance requirement but do not pass the assessment will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Find Out More — Join Free Preview Session
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Fee Structure
The full fee for this course is S$5,450.00.
Enjoy up to 90% of course fees subsidies for fully sponsored employees of eligible SMEs. Learn more.
| Funding Category | Eligible Funding | Course Fees Payable After Funding |
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| Enhanced Training Support for SMEs Applicable to Singapore Citizens / Singapore Permanent Residents / Long Term Visit Pass Plus (LTVP+) Holder | 90% | S$635.00 |
| Non-Singapore Citizen | Not Eligible | S$5,450.00 |
- Note: All fees above include GST. GST applies to individuals and Singapore-registered companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Programme Overview
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What is the Innovation Leadership Programme (ILP)?
The ILP is a 6-day transformational programme designed for SME owners and executives to fast-track business goals through innovation, mentorship, and peer networking.
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What makes this programme unique?
Participants benefit from real breakthrough stories from SME leaders, mentorship by experienced business professionals, and access to SIT’s innovation ecosystem including the Innovation Hub and FoodPlant.
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What are the value propositions for SMEs?
The programme offers mindset transformation, practical mentorship, peer and partner ecosystem engagement, and access to SIT’s innovation centres, to help SMEs not only fast track the progress of their immediate business goals but also equip them to overcome future challenges sustainably.
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Who should attend this programme?
SME business owners and executives who are ready to drive innovation and growth within their organizations.
Facilitators & Mentorship
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Who are the mentors?
Mentors include experienced business leaders such as Dr. Lim Chon Phung and Dr. Yong Hsin Ning, who bring practical SME experience.
Schedule & Location
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What is the schedule and location?
The programme runs over 6 full days from 21 Nov to 6 Dec 2025 (Fridays and Saturdays) at SIT Punggol Campus.
Fees & Funding Support
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What is the course fee and subsidy?
The course fee is subsidized up to 90% for fully sponsored employees of eligible SMEs under the Enhanced Training Support for SMEs by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).
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What is the SSG grant for the Innovation Leadership Programme (ILP)?
Eligible SMEs can receive up to 90% course fee subsidy for fully sponsored employees attending the ILP.
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Who qualifies for the 90% course fee subsidy?
Employees who are fully sponsored by eligible SMEs qualify for the enhanced subsidy under SSG’s Enhanced Training Support scheme.
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Is the SSG grant available for all runs of the programme?
Yes, the grant applies to each approved run of the programme, subject to SME eligibility.
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Can individual SME owners apply for the subsidy, or must it be through the company?
Subsidy is available for employees sponsored by their SME employer. Individual owners registered as employees may also be eligible.
Registration & Grant Application
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How do I register or find out more?
Interested participants can register your interest here. We'd recommend that your also register for and attend the free preview session taking place on 8 Oct 2025 (4–5PM, via Zoom) to have your questions answered.
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How do SMEs apply for the SSG grant/subsidy?
SMEs should indicate employee sponsorship during registration. SITLEARN will guide applicants through the documentation and submission process.
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What documents are needed for SSG grant application?
Required documents typically include company registration details, employee sponsorship forms, and other supporting materials as advised by SITLEARN.
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What is the process for claiming the subsidy after course completion?
Course Runs
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