Discover the benefits of incorporating a company in Singapore as a tech startup. The small but prosperous island has a long track record of attracting businesses of all sizes, from established companies like IBM to startups like Grab. This should not come as a surprise, given that Singapore has remained one of the most business-friendly countries in the last decade.
Benefits of Incorporating Your Tech Startup in Singapore
Robust Government Support
Under Enterprise Singapore, tech startups can leverage the benefits of incorporating in Singapore through various grants. One grant that is designed specifically for tech is the Startup SG Tech. The grant is capped at S$250,000 for Proof of Concept (POC) Projects and $500,000 for Proof of Value (POV) Projects. To be eligible, startups must fulfil the following criteria:
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- At the time of grant application, you must have been registered in Singapore during the previous ten years.
- At least 30% local shareholdings.
- The company’s annual sales turnover is not more than S$100 million, and the employment size is not more than 200 workers.
- Main R&D activities to be carried out in Singapore.
- Solutions they are developing must demonstrate how science/technology is applied, be of a breakthrough level of innovation that leads to or is built upon proprietary know-how/IP, and be commercially viable.
Other options include the SG Equity Programme and the Business Improvement Fund (BIF). BIF is designed for Singapore-registered companies operating in the tourism sector, a consistent contributor to Singapore’s overall GDP. Capitalize on the benefits of incorporating your company in Singapore and seize the opportunity to leverage a wide range of grants for your tech startup’s thriving future. Please visit Enterprise Singapore and Startup SG for more information on each available grant.
Aside from the available grants, the tax incentives are part of Singapore’s benefits for tech startups. Startups will receive tax breaks, where the first S$100,000 income will be reduced by 75% from the normal tax rate. Meanwhile, the following S$100,000 income will be reduced by 50%, and the next income tier will be charged using the usual rate. Such an arrangement is valid for the first three fillings.
Check our webinar on why you should set your regional headquarters in Singapore.
Strong IP Protection
As digitalisation and innovation become the norm for all businesses, including startups, having Intellectual Property (IP) rights plays a vital role in one’s ability to maintain a digital edge and gain a competitive advantage over competitors. Incorporating in Singapore offers significant benefits, including a robust legal framework for IP protection. This ensures that Singaporean startups can thrive, innovate and compete with one another safely and healthily 一 ultimately enabling Singapore to keep its place as the premier tech hub in the region.
In 2022, Singapore was ranked first in Asia and second globally regarding IP protection. As a result, you do not have to be overly concerned about your ideas or other intangible assets being stolen. There are five initiatives that you should take note of:
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- SG IP Fast Track Programme
A pilot scheme was introduced during the pandemic to speed up grants of patent applications across technology fields within six months. This program has been extended to April 2024.
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- IPOS Go
The world’s first app for trademark applications was released in 2019.
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- Patent Prosecution Highway
A programme that allows patented properties in Singapore to bypass a similar inspection in participating foreign countries, such as Mexico and China.
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- ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation
An agreement between nine participating offices in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, to expedite the patent application process by sharing search and examination results.
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- Re-Registration of SG Patents in Cambodia and Laos
A cooperation with Cambodia and Laos to support companies seeking to re-register their granted Singapore patents in the two countries.
For more information on the benefits of incorporating a company in Singapore, particularly in relation to intellectual property rights, please visit the official website of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).
Diverse Talent Pool
Consistently achieving high rankings in Bloomberg’s Innovation Index, Singapore offers benefits to tech startups and the advantages of incorporating a company in the country. One of the criteria is tertiary education enrolment, particularly in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics field (STEM), and Singapore is ranked first in the 2021 survey. This means local talents have the qualifications to help companies stay ahead and embrace the ever-changing tech landscape.
However, the competition for talent in the tech sector is fierce, and the growth of the local talent pool does not align with the increasing number of tech startups benefiting from incorporating in Singapore. This situation prompted the introduction of the Tech.Pass in January 2021.
With this pass, skilled IT talents can come to Singapore without securing employment beforehand. There will be only 500 passes issued each year, so the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) is highly selective. Each applicant must fulfil the following criteria:
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- Have a last drawn fixed monthly salary (in the last 1 year) of at least S$20,000.
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- Have at least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in a tech company with a valuation/market cap of at least US$500mil or at least US$30mil funding raised.
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- Have at least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in the development of a tech product that has at least 100,000 monthly active users or at least US$100mil annual revenue.
- Have at least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in the development of a tech product that has at least 100,000 monthly active users or at least US$100mil annual revenue.
Once a Tech.Pass is granted, the applicant can work for any tech company based in Singapore or start and operate their own, enjoying the benefits of incorporating a company in Singapore.
Read our comprehensive guide on Singapore Tech.Pass.
One of the benefits of incorporating a company in Singapore is the reliable path to securing talent through options like the Tech@SG Programme. The programme is designed to help fast-growing companies access the critical talent they need to grow and scale their business in Singapore by providing a company-level endorsement to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Doing so reduces the risks of rejections for their employment pass applications to MOM.
Easy to Incorporate
Incorporating a company takes approximately only 15 minutes as it is done entirely online via the BizFile+ portal. The application is also processed quickly as it can be approved within a day.
Experience the benefits of incorporating a company in Singapore and unleash the potential for tech startups to thrive in this dynamic business ecosystem. Check our guide on incorporating your company in Singapore.
Let Lanturn Solve Your Incorporation Needs
Singapore is an ideal place to incorporate your startup because of the four reasons explained above. As one of the leading technology firms that provide end-to-end financial services and solutions for businesses, Lanturn has a proven track record in fulfilling every client’s needs. This includes the need to incorporate your business in Singapore. Our certified and experienced team is ready to advise you every step of the way. Unlock the benefits of incorporating a company in Singapore for your tech startup with Lanturn by your side.
Want to incorporate your business hassle-free? Contact us today.