An air-con firm building AI, a hygiene business going regional: How home-grown SMEs are turning decades of expertise into new revenue
With Enterprise Singapore and SME Centre support, firms are turning expertise into AI tools, services and new markets.
Two decades ago, a small air-conditioning contractor named Innoflex operated with just five employees. Today, the business has grown to employ nearly 100 staff and has developed advanced digital and AI tools. Innoflex's ZEGGO CoolHub consolidates equipment records, maintenance history, and fault reports into a single platform, while ZEGG-BOT is an AI-enabled assistant that helps technicians locate information and diagnose potential issues using simple language.
These innovations were born out of the need to manage complex projects across SBS Transit’s interchanges, SMRT stations, and CapitaLand’s portfolio, which required the company to move beyond manual reporting and individual expertise.
Innoflex's journey towards innovation started with addressing its own operational challenges as it expanded. Founder Kelvin Gan realized that developing a digital transformation strategy required substantial resources, prompting Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) to provide support through its SME Centres. The SME Centre at ASE (Association of Small and Medium Enterprises) helped Innoflex break down its plans into manageable phases, starting with digitalizing analogue data and services, eventually merging everything onto one platform.
EnterpriseSG also provided financial assistance through the EDGE Grant, enabling Innoflex to engage technology partners and test its new system.
Another SME, Transcend Aero Services (TAS), is turning decades of aviation expertise into new revenue streams. Starting as an aircraft component trader, TAS later ventured into engine trading and aircraft leasing, increasing its revenue from US$7 million in 2023 to US$18 million in 2025. As the business expanded, valuing aerospace assets became increasingly labor-intensive, relying heavily on manual collection and analysis of technical data.
TAS's existing spreadsheet-based evaluation model was reframed by founder and managing director Loo Choon Meng, as a potential digital capability. SME Centre at Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMEC@SCCCI) business advisor Ho Chee Kuen encouraged the company to explore this idea further, leading to potential collaborations with industry partners.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
