A tech startup’s guide to Singapore

The Tech Startup’s Guide to Singapore is a series where we bring you useful tips such as the who, what, and how of running a startup in Singapore.

Singapore remains one of the most attractive countries for a startup to operate. Coupled with strong government support, the country offers a ripe springboard into Asia.

In a few days, Singapore will host one of the region’s largest startup conference, Tech in Asia Singapore 2018. Before you catch a flight over here, get to know the ins and outs of the Lion City!

Co-working spaces

What Singapore lacks in size, the country handily makes up for in spaces to work. Here’s a quick, non-exhaustive list of places to crash with your laptop:

Collective Works: The perfect blend between private offices and coworking spaces, Collective Works specializes in maximizing your space.

Collision 8: Innovation isn’t an endeavour done alone. Collision 8 offers valuable networking to promote collaboration in its co-working space.

District 6: District 6 enables you to fulfill your visions with an all-around space that includes a bar, a café, and a living room.

Found.: Found is a network of innovation studios where innovative entrepreneurs and corporates find coaching, expertise, and partners to create future-ready solutions.

LEVEL3: Housed inside Unilever’s APAC headquarters, LEVEL3 is designed to connect startups and corporates. Head to the coffee bar and chat with the many corporate and innovation ecosystem partners about collaboration opportunities for your startup.

The Great Room: Hospitality is The Great Room’s game. Besides work, the space prides itself as a great hub for socializing, relaxing, and entertaining.

The Hive: The Hive goes beyond the four walls of its co-working space. Their services include a vast network that spans across the ASEAN region.

WeWork: Whether you are a one-man show or have hundreds of employees in your company, WeWork’s space-as-a-service system ensures that you have the right place for your business.

Photo credit: WeWork

Investors to meet

Every startup knows the challenges that come with looking for investors. From searching for venues to network, to contacting lists of references, just getting to the actual networking is filled with several subtle twists and turns. Here are some investors startups can look forward to meeting in Singapore:

B Capital: Co-founded by Facebook’s Eduardo Saverin, the firm invests in startups along tech-reliant verticals like healthcare, transportation, finance, and consumer enablement.

East Ventures: The global team focuses on commerce, social, game, SAAS, and mobile services, and has invested in over 150 companies across Asia and the US.

Fenox Venture Capital: The team connects disruptive tech startups with the global business world. Armed with business leaders, their global reach guides startups from product development to global expansion.

Jungle Ventures: With operations in Asia Pacific, the firm offers support and funding to innovative technology driven companies. The team focuses on seed stage, early stage to growth stage startup investments in the region.

Photo credit: Jungle Ventures

Monk’s Hill Ventures: The team is composed of seasoned entrepreneurs. With their years of experience, the firm scours the industry for the best up-and-coming startups in the region.

Rebright Partners: The venture capital firm focuses on early stage startups, Rebright Partners leverages on the value and strength of an international network of support for rising startups in Asia.

Walden International: With a focus on cross-border investments, the team is dedicated to seeking the entrepreneurs who look to build great companies through the leverage of talent.

P.S. These investors will be listening to startups pitch their MVPs at the popular Speed Dating segment.

People to meet

While Singapore has its fair share of pioneers and innovators, Tech in Asia Singapore 2018 offers a plethora of opportunities to network with experts, investors, and entrepreneurs around the world. Take a look at some of the speakers you’ll get to meet:

Claire Hughes Johnson, Chief Operating Officer, Stripe
Siu Rui Quek, Co-founder, Carousell
Chang Wen Lai, Chief Executive Officer, Ninja Van
Vinnie Lauria, Founding Partner, Golden Gate Ventures
Richard Koh, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft
Hock Lai Chia, President, Singapore Fintech Association

Grants and incubator programs

Startups will enjoy doing business in Singapore. Besides a thriving startup scene, the country has one of the most supportive governments and incubators when it comes to starting a new business. The following are some examples:

StartupSG: Supported by a number of grants, StartupSG is an umbrella initiative that bundles up all you need to boost your startup venture. They cater to all sorts of entrepreneurs including tech, finance, and first-time startups.

Enterprise Development Grant: Established as a merger between SPRING Singapore and International Enterprise Singapore, the Enterprise Development Grant boasts of funding that can cut off up to 70 percent of your startup’s costs.

Entrepreneur First: As the name suggests, Entrepreneur First puts the premium on dedicated innovators. Their services aim to build innovation from the ground up.

muru-D: Singapore is a conducive place for international business. Backed by Australian telco Telstra, muru-D embodies collaboration by backing and supporting ASEAN startups in their own style.

Getting around the city

Singapore enjoys one of the best public transportation systems in the world. There are a variety of options just to get from point A to point B.

MRT. Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit systems skirt through every nook and cranny of the country. You’ll be able to travel around the city starting as early as 5:30am.

Bus. To complement the MRT system, Singapore also employs a fleet of buses to get around the city with ease.

Taxi / Ride sharing apps. One of the fastest ways to get around the island would be via taxi or ride sharing. Not all is lost with the Grab-Uber merger, you’ll still be able to book your rides through apps such as Comfort DelGro and a new entrant, Ryde.

Tech events in Singapore

If you’re heading to Singapore, we’ve compiled a list of tech and startup events taking place in the country. In just three days, one of Asia’s largest startup conference will be happening right in the heart of the city – Tech in Asia Singapore 2018! If you haven’t got your tickets yet, there’s good news – you’re not too late.