An important point is the social conservatism of Singapore, which I suspect plays an important role in repelling a large number of people. I don't think it's a

An important point is the social conservatism of Singapore, which I suspect plays an important role in repelling a large number of people. I don't think it's a complete coincidence that startup hubs emerge in places that are relatively libertarian in regards to social values and open to counter culture. Singapore sends a "not welcome here" message to many people: gays, hiv positive, marijuana consumers... As long as the country sticks to dictating citizens and residents how they should behave, including in private, they will have trouble attracting and growing an engineering class. For a startup culture to emerge, you need to allow, and even welcome, experimentations off the beaten tracks. That's hardly compatible with social authoritarianism.