Singapore Among World’s Top 4 Startup Ecosystems in 2025
For years, Singapore has been one of the most attractive destinations for entrepreneurs and investors looking to establish startups worldwide. Its business-friendly regulations, government incentives, and fundraising opportunities have consistently placed it among the top choices for company incorporation. Success stories such as Grab, Carousell, and PatSnap show how Singapore-founded startups can grow into regional and global leaders. Recently, Singapore has achieved another milestone as it ranks 4th in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025.
In this blog post, we will look at what this ranking means, the factors behind Singapore’s rise, why founders continue to choose the city-state, and what the future holds for its startup ecosystem.
What Is StartupBlink and Its Global Startup Ecosystem Index?
StartupBlink is a global research and development platform that maps and ranks startup ecosystems worldwide. It provides data-driven insights and tools for governments and corporations to understand, develop, and grow their local innovation economies. The platform offers a comprehensive database, annual reports such as the Global Startup Ecosystem Index, and tailored services to identify opportunities and support ecosystem growth.
The Global Startup Ecosystem Index has been published every year since 2017. The 2025 edition ranks 1,473 cities and 118 countries, making it the most comprehensive report of its kind. Rankings are based on three key pillars:
Quantity – the number and activity level of startups in each ecosystem
Quality – the global success and impact of these startups
Business Environment – how supportive local conditions are for startup growth
The Index is used by founders, investors, and policymakers around the world to guide decisions on relocation, investment, and strategy.
Singapore’s Rise in the 2025 Global Startup Rankings
In the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, Singapore achieved a historic milestone by climbing to 4th place worldwide, overtaking Canada. Since 2020, Singapore’s startup ecosystem has expanded rapidly, with its overall index score rising by 44.9 percent. This is well above the global top-20 average of 28.5 percent and has pushed the country up 12 places in the rankings. Singapore has also doubled China’s score, firmly establishing itself as Asia’s leading startup hub.
The country stands out in several industries, ranking 2nd globally in fintech and ecommerce & retail, while also excelling in fintech-related fields such as financial services (1st), blockchain (2nd), and virtual currency (2nd).
At the city level, Singapore City rose four spots to 12th place globally, the highest improvement among the top 25 cities. It recorded more than 50% growth in 2025, the strongest increase within the global top 40. Over the last six years, the city has consistently advanced, now ranking 6th among cities with 2–10 million residents. It also places in the global top 10 for fintech (4th), ecommerce & retail (7th), and edtech (9th), while securing 3rd position worldwide in blockchain.
Inside the Singapore Startup Ecosystem: Why Founders Choose Singapore
The Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 highlights several key reasons why Singapore continues to attract founders and investors. Its success is built on a mix of stability, innovation, and global connectivity that few other ecosystems can match. Below are the main factors identified in the report.
Strong Business and Regulatory Environment
Singapore is known for its financial stability, pro-business policies, and competitive tax framework. The city-state offers a high-trust regulatory system that provides legal clarity and investor confidence, making it an attractive destination for founders looking to scale responsibly.
Ease of Doing Business
Singapore is widely recognized for its ease of doing business, consistently ranking among the top jurisdictions worldwide. The regulatory framework is transparent, efficient, and designed to minimize bureaucracy, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on growth rather than red tape. Processes such as setting up a Singapore company are streamlined, with clear and simple requirements, and fast turnaround times. Coupled with pro-business policies, strong legal protections, and world-class infrastructure, Singapore offers an environment where businesses can thrive with confidence.
Global Mindset and Regional Reach
Because Singapore’s domestic market is small, startups here cannot rely on local demand alone. They are encouraged to think internationally from the very beginning and expand into larger markets across Asia and beyond. This global-first mindset has helped Singapore-based companies grow into regional leaders. A prime example is Grab, which started in Singapore and has since become one of Southeast Asia’s most valuable tech companies.
Leadership in Strategic Industries
Singapore has positioned itself as a leader in deep-tech, fintech, foodtech, AI, and advanced manufacturing. According to the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, the country ranks 2nd worldwide in fintech and ecommerce & retail, while also holding 1st place in financial services and 2nd in blockchain and virtual currency.
Strong Support Ecosystem and Talent Pipeline
A growing number of accelerators and support networks, such as the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE), provide resources, mentorship, and connections to help startups succeed. Government initiatives like Market Readiness Assistance Grant, Productivity Solutions Grant, and Startup SG Founder Programme enhance funding access and international opportunities.
Universities also play an active role. The National University of Singapore (NUS) supports startups through NUS Enterprise’s Startup Runways and BLOCK71 Global Startup Runway, which offer incubation, networking, and overseas expansion opportunities.
Events and Entrepreneurial Culture
Major events such as Echelon Asia Summit, Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH), and GITEX Asia put Singapore on the global map of innovation. Platforms like e27, which originated in Singapore, amplify startup stories and foster a culture of entrepreneurship and calculated risk-taking.
In short, Singapore offers the rare combination of policy support, industry leadership, funding opportunities, and global connectivity that make it one of the most compelling startup ecosystems worldwide.
Prominent Startups Shaping Singapore’s Ecosystem in 2025
Thanks to the many advantages of Singapore’s startup ecosystem, an increasing number of founders are choosing the city-state as their base. Below are several notable startups founded in 2024 that stand out in 2025 for their fresh ideas, strong investor support, and growing impact across diverse industries.
Founded in 2024 by Elijah Yang, Aid develops sustainable building materials that improve sound quality, safety, and design. Singapore’s reputation as a hub for green innovation and its access to international projects made it a natural base. From the Grand Hyatt Singapore to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Aid’s products already serve global clients. With US$2.5 million in funding, the company is scaling from Singapore into other major markets.
Founded in 2024 by Kevin Boo and Matthew Pay, Oneteam offers a new model for business succession by acquiring SMEs and transitioning them into employee-owned firms. Singapore’s large base of family-run businesses, coupled with government support for SME innovation, provided the perfect testbed. With US$2.6 million raised from Wavemaker Ventures, Oneteam is using Singapore as a launchpad to expand its inclusive ownership model.
Founded in 2024 by Bhavana Ravindran, EarlyBird AI automates accounting tasks with AI, giving companies real-time financial data through its Live Ledgers™ system. Singapore’s strong fintech ecosystem and demand for digital finance solutions made it the right place to start. Backed by Antler with US$800,000 in funding, EarlyBird AI is targeting fast-growing businesses across Southeast Asia from its Singapore base.
Founded in 2024 by Anand Roy and Shaad Sufi, Wubble.ai makes it easy for businesses to generate royalty-free soundtracks with AI. Singapore’s creative economy and access to regional media markets encouraged the founders to base their venture here. With US$400,000 in funding, Wubble.ai was the only Singaporean startup invited to SXSW 2025, a recognition of its global potential.
The Future of Startups in Singapore: Opportunities and Challenges
Singapore’s future as a startup hub looks promising. The government continues to invest heavily in innovation, committing around S$18.9 billion between 2021 and 2025 under its Research, Innovation and Enterprise plan. Part of this funding, about S$2.27 billion, is going into areas such as advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and the digital economy. A national co-investment fund worth more than S$757 million is also helping deep-tech startups grow.
Even during a global slowdown in venture capital, Singapore startups raised about US$5.6 billion in early-stage funding in 2025. Singapore’s overall country index score increased by 44.9 percent, the fastest rate among the global top 10, while Singapore as a city recorded more than 50% growth compared to last year.
There are challenges too. Singapore is one of the world’s most expensive cities. Office rents in the central business district average about S$10 per square foot per month. Competition for talent is high, especially in tech roles. Investors have also become more selective.For example, Temasek’s direct investments in startups dropped sharply from US$4.4 billion in 2021 to about US$509 million in 2024, showing that access to capital may be harder to secure in the future
Despite these hurdles, the outlook remains positive. With strong government backing, a stable economy, and excellent global connectivity, Singapore is likely to produce more unicorns and strengthen its leadership in fintech, deep tech, and AI in the years to come.
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