3 ms·

>Remember we are based in Singapore. There are quite a few government funds for entrepreneurs to tap into and most importantly they don’t take any equity at all

by dwyer 15y ago

>Remember we are based in Singapore. There are quite a few government funds for entrepreneurs to tap into and most importantly they don’t take any equity at all. The more I learn about Singapore the more I like it. Also, given the quality and humor of your article it's probably best that you didn't outsource that press release. You write better than a lot of writers out there.

netvarun 15y ago
My mom is now proud twice over =) If you are planning on doing a startup, and Singapore is a pretty awesome place to get started. But of course, once you have gotten off the ground, you should then head to the mecca of tech - Silicon Valley.
- nubela 15y ago
  The Singapore government hates you for saying that. /Singaporean.
  - vinothgopi 15y ago
    I have a feeling netvarun dint mean it in a "take ALL the money and leave" way. Singapore is seen as an up and coming startup haven and the goverment is trying really hard to build that entrepreneurial ecosystem (and i should say they are doing a pretty good job!). But that hasn't yet negated 2 issues with starting up a business in Singapore. I'm sure you've heard the argument about how small a market Singapore is so I shall not go down that path. The govt has been very supportive of early stage startups with grants ranging from 10k to 100k. But have you noticed that very FEW startups have actually made it big? I've spoken to several startup founders and all of them seem to voice the same opinion: its easy to raise a seed round in SG(<$100k) but anything more than that its gonna be very difficult. Singaporean VCs are risk-averse and are only focused on whether the startup has solid numbers to back its requested funding amount. Nothing else. Cant blame them as well. We Asians are wired that way. At this point of time, Singapore is a great launchpad. Not a place to grow. If we want to grow, we got to move. With the influx of Silicon Valley investors, angels and incubators, the situation might improve though. And if you think your product is suited for the US market anyway, why stay in Singapore?

by dwyer 15y ago

netvarun 15y ago

My mom is now proud twice over =) If you are planning on doing a startup, and Singapore is a pretty awesome place to get started. But of course, once you have gotten off the ground, you should then head to the mecca of tech - Silicon Valley.

nubela 15y ago
The Singapore government hates you for saying that. /Singaporean.
- vinothgopi 15y ago
  I have a feeling netvarun dint mean it in a "take ALL the money and leave" way. Singapore is seen as an up and coming startup haven and the goverment is trying really hard to build that entrepreneurial ecosystem (and i should say they are doing a pretty good job!). But that hasn't yet negated 2 issues with starting up a business in Singapore. I'm sure you've heard the argument about how small a market Singapore is so I shall not go down that path. The govt has been very supportive of early stage startups with grants ranging from 10k to 100k. But have you noticed that very FEW startups have actually made it big? I've spoken to several startup founders and all of them seem to voice the same opinion: its easy to raise a seed round in SG(<$100k) but anything more than that its gonna be very difficult. Singaporean VCs are risk-averse and are only focused on whether the startup has solid numbers to back its requested funding amount. Nothing else. Cant blame them as well. We Asians are wired that way. At this point of time, Singapore is a great launchpad. Not a place to grow. If we want to grow, we got to move. With the influx of Silicon Valley investors, angels and incubators, the situation might improve though. And if you think your product is suited for the US market anyway, why stay in Singapore?