Translating Innovative Intelligent Design to Entrepreneurship (TIIDE)

Kickstart your entrepreneurial journey and be inspired

Translating Innovative Intelligent Design to Entrepreneurship (TIIDE) is a 14-week (Fall Term) immersive innovation and entrepreneurship programme hosted by Zhejiang University (ZJU) in Hangzhou, one of China’s oldest and top universities.

The programme combines two coursework, entrepreneurial internships, and collaborative entrepreneurial projects focused on design thinking and technological innovation. Students will experience real-world entrepreneurial practices guided by ZJU and industry mentors, interact with start-up teams to gain insights into technology incubation, and explore Hangzhou’s entrepreneurship ecosystem for market testing.

Through the programme, students will develop an entrepreneurial mindset and the skills necessary to pursue their entrepreneurial journey. Students will continue to take their idea forward as they return from the programme, by applying and pitching their entrepreneurial project for SUTD Baby Shark Fund.

Programme highlights

Coursework for credit transfer
Take 2 customised courses designed by ZJU and earn up to 24 SUTD credits (minimum CGPA 3.0 for credit transfer). Work on a self-directed entrepreneurial project through a “Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship” course and explore the challenges and opportunities developing innovative design solutions through a “Design and Future” course.

4 weeks entrepreneurial internship

Intern in one of the start-ups and innovation companies in Hangzhou. Hangzhou, also known as China’s Silicon Valley, is a hotbed for many successful start-ups, and is home to China’s e-commerce giant, Alibaba.

Dual mentorship by ZJU and start-ups

Interact closely with ZJU course instructors and industry mentors to develop entrepreneurial projects focused on design thinking and technological innovation, for SUTD Baby Shark Fund application and pitching.

Visits to major China tech companies

Gain insights from industry experts through visits to major tech companies in Hangzhou, such as Alibaba, NetEase, ByteDance and Ant Group. Learn about innovation ecosystem of Hangzhou and understand how it is pushing the boundaries of innovation with a plethora of resources.

Scholarship available for application

Opportunity to apply for TIIDE Scholarship covering the full programme fee and S$4,000 travel allowance. Awarded recipients will not be eligible to utilise Scholar Travel Grant and PSEA.

Learning outcomes

• Engage in innovation and entrepreneurship activities and experience real-world entrepreneurial practices guided by ZJU and industry mentors
• Interact closely with start-up teams to gain comprehensive insights into the process of technology incubation
• Rely on the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem to encourage trial and market testing, promoting product innovation and market adaptability

Eligibility

• Enrolled as full-time SUTD student (not on leave of absence or gap year)
• Open to all Term 2 and Term 4 students of all nationalities
• Strong interest in intelligent design, innovation and entrepreneurship
• No CGPA requirement (minimum CGPA 3.0 for course credit transfer)
• A clean disciplinary record
• Ensure no outstanding bootcamps during the TIIDE Programme
• Ensure no restrictions involving overseas trips, if holding any existing scholarship
• Ensure TIIDE Programme does not clash with internship, exchange and other commitments
• Selection interview may be required
• Have sufficient financial means to self-pay for all necessary expenses

Programme schedule

Please refer to ZJU’s TIIDE2025 website for the indicative programme schedule.

*Note: Schedule may be subject to change.

Application

• Attend the TIIDE information session
• Submit your application (along with essay and portfolio, and share any prior experience in innovation and entrepreneurial activities)
• Accept the programme terms and conditions