For Singapore’s CFOs in 2026, innovation is no longer a purely technical agenda—it’s a financial strategy. With 42% of senior leaders citing high operational and talent costs as the top barrier to innovation, traditional R&D models are proving fiscally unsustainable.
CFOs are increasingly turning to open innovation platforms like IMDA’s Open Innovation Platform (OIP) to convert fixed innovation costs into variable, outcome-based investments. This shift enables tighter control over capital allocation while de-risking exposure to unproven technologies.
The maturity of Singapore’s innovation ecosystem—evidenced by only 8% of leaders worrying about connectivity—means CFOs can focus less on infrastructure risk and more on ROI clarity, scalability, and speed-to-value. As finance teams take on greater leadership in digital transformation, structured, pilot-driven approaches offer a disciplined path to validate solutions before scaling.
In an era where every dollar must demonstrate strategic impact, open innovation is emerging as the CFO’s tool of choice to balance agility with accountability.
Click on the link to download the report and find out how your organisation can unlock agility and competitive edge through open innovation.
