[SINGAPORE] Singapore has climbed to fourth place in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, up from fifth in 2024, according to research platform StartupBlink. The Republic now trails only the United States, Britain, and Israel, marking a significant ascent of 12 places since 2020—one of the fastest improvements globally.
The index credited Singapore’s strong performance to its pro-business environment and comprehensive start-up support infrastructure. The city-state scored well on key metrics including investor presence, accessibility to start-up opportunities, a concentration of major tech companies, and a robust local talent pool.
A pivotal factor in Singapore’s rise is its strategic location at the heart of Southeast Asia, giving start-ups access to a region of over 600 million people and a burgeoning digital economy. This geographic advantage enables both regional expansion and the formation of international partnerships.
The index, which evaluates 118 countries, also highlighted Singapore’s leadership in deep-tech and key strategic sectors such as fintech, foodtech, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Local universities play a central role in the ecosystem, not only by developing skilled talent for research and development but also by actively linking academic programmes with entrepreneurial ventures.
Singapore’s regulatory environment further supports innovation while maintaining economic stability. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has implemented initiatives such as regulatory sandboxes that allow fintech firms to test emerging technologies in a controlled setting. This has helped draw a large number of fintech start-ups, reinforcing Singapore’s status as a global fintech hub.
Ms Emily Liew, assistant managing director of innovation at Enterprise Singapore, emphasised the ecosystem’s openness to talent and collaboration, as well as its ability to provide stability, growth resources, and market access amid global uncertainties.
“Enterprise Singapore will continue to strengthen the ecosystem and we welcome global start-ups with strong science-based solutions to leverage Singapore as a launchpad to grow and scale their business in the region and beyond,” she said.
Another emerging trend in Singapore’s start-up scene is a growing focus on sustainability and green technologies. In line with global shifts toward eco-friendly practices, Singapore is attracting start-ups in sectors such as renewable energy, waste management, and sustainable agriculture. These efforts complement its broader ambition to become a smart and sustainable city, enhancing its attractiveness to forward-looking investors and entrepreneurs.
Singapore’s rise in the rankings coincides with a strong year for venture funding and increased government backing. A joint report by Enterprise Singapore and research firm PitchBook released in April 2025 revealed that the Republic captured nearly 60 per cent of Asean’s venture capital deal volume in 2024, amounting to US$4.8 billion (S$6.25 billion).
In October 2024, the Government announced a $440 million injection into the Startup SG Equity scheme, managed by Enterprise Singapore and the Economic Development Board (EDB), raising the scheme’s total funding to over $1 billion. The move is aimed at attracting more venture capital investments into local deep-tech start-ups.
This enhanced support forms part of a broader national strategy to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on traditional sectors. By fostering innovation and nurturing high-growth industries, the government seeks to generate high-value jobs and ensure long-term economic resilience.
Further advancing these efforts, Enterprise Singapore and EDB launched SG Growth Capital in April 2025. This strategic investment platform merges the strengths of both agencies to bolster start-up financing and venture development across key innovation sectors.
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