Meta and the Government of Singapore launch Llama Incubator Program

This press release was issued by Meta.

Meta is proud to partner with the Singapore Government to launch the Llama Incubator Program – a first for Meta in APAC – designed to build capabilities and drive innovation on open-source AI among start-ups, local SMEs and public sector agencies in Singapore.

Collaborating with the Ministry of Digital Development & Information (MDDI), InfoComm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech), Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), AI Singapore, and SGInnovate, along with program and technical partners e27 and Deloitte, Meta is adopting an ecosystem approach for this program. By leveraging Meta's cutting-edge open-source model, Llama, 100 participating organizations will receive multi-faceted support to develop innovative solutions, and 40 will be incubated to address real-world challenges and enhance efficiencies for both businesses and the public sector.

To mark the launch of the program, Meta hosted a Foundational Workshop on the potential of Llama, Meta's open-source AI, and its built-in trust and safety tools. The workshop, which drew over 100 attendees, featured a special keynote address from the Guest-of-Honour, Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information & Health.

The Llama Incubator Program is designed to build capabilities and drive innovation on open-source AI among start-ups, enterprises and public sector agencies in Singapore. Over the course of six months, each participant will receive dedicated technical and business mentorship from industry experts, providing tailored advice and feedback. Participants will also gain access to technical resources, enabling them to further develop and refine their Llama use cases.

AI safety will be a key thrust of the program, and participants will learn about Llama trust and safety tools as well as IMDA’s safety testing framework and AI Verify’s open-source testing toolkit, Project Moonshot.

Meta has been supporting AI innovation globally through various initiatives. The Llama Incubator Program exemplifies the transformative power of open-source AI in uniting diverse stakeholders to address complex strategic challenges across multiple sectors. By developing meaningful AI use cases, this program aims to create a significant impact in Singapore and inspire the broader region and beyond.

“By democratising access to open-source AI, we're unlocking a brighter future where powerful tools are within reach of everyone, empowering innovators to create solutions that serve humanity and drive meaningful progress. This approach not only fosters transparency, safety, and accountability but also levels the playing field for underrepresented groups, startups, and researchers, ensuring that the benefits of AI are equitably distributed and its potential is fully realised, " added Simon.

The Llama Incubator Program, a part of our Upskill with Meta initiative in Singapore, will culminate in a Demo Day in October 2025. On this day, participants will showcase their Llama solutions and demonstrate how they can effectively address real-world challenges and drive efficiencies for business and the public sector.