Company Background
DayDayUp is a cross-border technology accelerator and market access platform focused on connecting the innovation ecosystems of China, Singapore and Southeast Asia. Since being appointed as Enterprise Singapore's Global Innovation Alliance Beijing partner in 2019, DayDayUp has supported the acceleration of over 80 Singapore startups into the Chinese market through structured market access programmes, business matching, ecosystem engagement and in-market support.
DayDayUp has also built a broad portfolio of 150+ Chinese technology companies that have internationalised into Singapore through its support. In addition, DayDayUp has maintained a five-year official cooperation partnership with Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission (BMSTC), the top municipal authority managing Beijing's full innovation ecosystem including Zhongguancun, with oversight of over 28,300 high-tech firms and 114 national-leading unicorns contributing one-third of Beijing's GDP.
In 2023, DayDayUp launched SEASTAR, a membership-based network co-founded with experienced entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders. SEASTAR connects leading Chinese technology companies expanding internationally with key local resources in Singapore and Southeast Asia, including government agencies, corporates, investors and ecosystem partners.
For more info about DayDayUp, please visit: https://www.dduwork.com
Job Description
As a Startup & Partnerships Associate, you will support DayDayUp's cross-border innovation and startup acceleration activities between Singapore and China.
Your primary responsibilities will include identifying and recruiting promising startups, building and maintaining relationships across the startup ecosystem, and supporting Singapore and Chinese founders in their cross-border expansion efforts. You will work closely with startups, investors, corporates, government agencies, universities, accelerators, and other ecosystem partners to help companies access relevant market opportunities, partnerships, and resources.
You will also support DayDayUp's marketing and communications activities, including managing content for LinkedIn, website articles, EDMs, and other digital channels.
This is an entry-level full-time role suitable for fresh graduates or candidates at the beginning of their careers who are interested in startups, technology, international business, and the Singapore-China innovation ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
1. Startup Recruitment & Programme Support
- Identify, research, and engage promising startups for DayDayUp's accelerator, innovation, and market expansion programmes.
- Conduct startup outreach through online and offline channels and engagements.
- Support the evaluation and onboarding of startups into relevant DayDayUp programmes.
- Coordinate with Singapore and Chinese founders throughout programme and market expansion activities.
- Support programme planning, scheduling, meetings, events, and other online and offline activities.
- Maintain startup information, programme records, CRM databases, and follow-up documentation.
2. Cross-Border Market Expansion Support
- Support Singapore startups expanding into China and Chinese technology companies entering Singapore and Southeast Asia.
- Understand founders market expansion objectives and help identify relevant customers, corporate partners, investors, distributors, industry experts, and other stakeholders.
- Conduct market and industry research to identify potential business development and partnership opportunities.
- Support the preparation and coordination of business matching meetings, market visits, pitch sessions, and ecosystem introductions.
- Follow up with startups and ecosystem partners to help progress potential collaborations, pilots, partnerships, and market entry opportunities.
3. Ecosystem & Partnership Development
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across the Singapore and China innovation ecosystems, including VCs, accelerators, universities, corporates, government agencies, industry associations, and startup communities.
- Support engagement with existing DayDayUp ecosystem partners and identify potential new partners.
- Attend relevant startup, technology, investment, and industry events to build DayDayUp's network and identify potential collaboration opportunities.
- Maintain and regularly update DayDayUp's ecosystem and partner databases.
- Support partnership discussions, proposals, meeting preparation, and follow-up activities.
4. Marketing & Communications
- Support the management of DayDayUp's LinkedIn and other social media channels.
- Draft and publish content covering startup programmes, company activities, ecosystem developments, events, partnerships, and portfolio company updates.
- Write and update website articles, programme pages, news updates, and blog content.
- Support EDM campaigns, newsletters, event publicity, and startup recruitment campaigns.
- Assist in preparing bilingual marketing and communication materials in English and Chinese.
- Work with the team to strengthen DayDayUp's visibility within the Singapore and regional startup ecosystem.
Requirements
- Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Entrepreneurship, International Business, or a related field.
- Fresh graduates and candidates with 0-2 years of working experience are welcome to apply.
- Strong interest in startups, technology, innovation, venture capital, and international business.
- Comfortable communicating and building relationships with founders, investors, corporates, and ecosystem stakeholders.
- Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to understand new technologies and industries quickly.
- Proactive, organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-moving startup environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient in English and Mandarin, as the role involves frequent communication with stakeholders in both Singapore and China.
- Comfortable creating professional written content for social media, websites, presentations, and business communications.
- Prior internship or working experience in startups, accelerators, venture capital, business development, marketing, events, or innovation programmes is an advantage but not required.
What You'll Gain
- Hands-on experience working directly with startups on Singapore-China cross-border expansion.
- Exposure to emerging technologies, startup business models, and international market expansion strategies.
- Opportunities to build relationships with founders, investors, corporates, government agencies, and innovation ecosystem leaders.
- Experience across startup scouting, business development, ecosystem building, programme management, and marketing.
- Opportunities to participate in startup and innovation activities across Singapore and China.
- Mentorship and practical experience from DayDayUp's cross-border innovation and acceleration team.
