Singapore’s Global Founder Programme: Launchpad for International Entrepreneurs

The Global Founder Programme (GFP) is a new initiative by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) aimed at attracting and supporting experienced entrepreneurs to build their next big venture from Singapore. Announced in the Singapore Budget 2025, this programme is part of the country’s strategy to “beef up the startup ecosystem”, encouraging global founders to anchor and grow new ventures in Singapore. In essence, GFP serves as a launchpad for serial entrepreneurs from Singapore and abroad to create startups with global impact, using Singapore as their home base.

Purpose and Vision

Singapore has long been positioning itself as a global innovation hub. The GFP’s purpose is to catalyze high-impact startups by providing targeted support to founders with a proven track record. By helping seasoned founders establish and scale their companies in Singapore, the programme aims to:

1. Infuse Singapore’s startup scene with international expertise and talent.

2. Strengthen the nation’s status as a regional springboard for innovation.

3. Generate new ventures that create jobs and contribute to Singapore’s economy.

   
   

Finance Minister Lawrence Wong highlighted the GFP in early 2025 as a key measure to attract global founders and grow new ventures in Singapore. This reflects Singapore’s broader commitment alongside substantial funding initiatives to nurture a vibrant, innovation-driven economy.

Key Features and Components of GFP

The Global Founder Programme offers a holistic suite of resources and tools for entrepreneurs, guiding them from inception to international expansion. The support is structured around three core stages of a startup’s journey:

1. Start Laying the Foundation: In this initial phase, GFP helps founders seamlessly integrate into Singapore’s business environment. This includes practical assistance with relocation and setup, such as visa facilitation and business incorporation support. Participants are guided through regulatory requirements and connected with professional service partners (for example, corporate secretaries and relocation specialists) to establish their company presence in Singapore.

   
   

2. Build Scaling the Venture: Once established, startups receive resources to accelerate their growth. Founders get access to an exclusive founder community and deep domain experts, allowing them to learn from other serial entrepreneurs and industry mentors. The programme also opens doors to capital networks – introductions to venture capital firms, angel investors, and corporate venture arms that can provide funding or strategic partnerships. During this stage, EDB and its network help startups refine their business models, navigate Singapore’s market, and prepare for regional expansion.

   
   

3. Accelerate Regional and Global Expansion: In the final stage, GFP focuses on helping startups expand into new markets across Southeast Asia and beyond. This could involve connecting founders to international business matching opportunities, overseas pilot projects, or market immersion programmes (leveraging Singapore’s extensive trade and innovation links worldwide). The goal is to ensure that ventures launched in Singapore are well-positioned to grow globally from day one.

   
   

Throughout all three stages, the Global Founder Programme provides hands-on support and guidance. The approach is highly customized recognizing that each founder’s needs may differ but the overarching promise is to make Singapore the ideal launchpad for the next generation of globally-minded startups.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs accepted into the GFP stand to gain significant advantages, especially those relocating to Singapore or setting up a new venture here:

1. Seamless Entry into Singapore: The programme smooths out the complexities of moving to and starting up in Singapore. This includes help with work visas, immigration matters, and company registration. By handling these logistical challenges, GFP lets founders focus on building their product and team from the get-go.

   
   

2. Access to Networks and Community: GFP founders join an exclusive community of fellow founders. This peer network can be invaluable for sharing experiences, advice, and even collaboration opportunities. Moreover, EDB provides curated access to capital networks (investors and financial institutions) and deep domain experts across industries. Such connections can accelerate fundraising, partnerships, and knowledge exchange. Essentially, entrepreneurs are plugged into Singapore’s rich ecosystem of VCs, incubators, corporates, and research institutes from day one.

   
   

3. Mentorship and Expertise: Given that GFP targets experienced founders, the programme attracts a pool of serial entrepreneurs and industry builders. GFP facilitates mentoring by these veterans, offering guidance on strategic decisions and pitfalls to avoid. Founders also gain insights from Singapore’s talent pool of engineers, scientists, and business experts, which can help in refining technology or business strategies.

   
   

4. Government Support and Credibility: Being part of an EDB-backed programme adds credibility and opens doors. Startups may find it easier to establish trust with potential customers, partners, and investors. Government support can also mean priority access to certain grants or pilot opportunities. Singapore’s pro-business policies from strong IP protection to attractive tax incentives further create a conducive environment for growth.

   
   

5. Living and Operating in a Global Hub: Singapore offers world-class infrastructure, a stable political climate, and high living standards. For founders and their families, this means a safe and comfortable base of operations. Moreover, being geographically in the heart of Asia, Singapore allows entrepreneurs to easily reach other key markets. The country’s flourishing startup ecosystem provides plenty of events, accelerators, and talent, which GFP participants can tap into as they hire and expand.

   
   

Founders often cite Singapore’s “talent-friendly policies, flourishing startup ecosystem, and world-class living standards” as a winning combination for growing global operations. The GFP amplifies these natural advantages with structured support, making Singapore even more compelling as a launchpad.

Eligibility Requirements

The Global Founder Programme is best suited for experienced entrepreneurs who have a track record of building or scaling startups. According to EDB, the GFP is designed for “experienced founders to launch and scale their next venture from Singapore”. Key eligibility considerations likely include:

1. Proven Entrepreneurial Experience: Ideal applicants are founders who have successfully built companies before (for example, they may have had a prior startup that saw a successful exit, or they were early team members of a high-growth company). The programme is not aimed at first-time entrepreneurs; instead, it targets those with seasoned insight who are now starting a new venture with high growth potential.

   
   

2. New Venture with Global Ambitions: Applicants should have a concrete idea or venture in the works that they intend to base in Singapore. This venture should aim for regional or global markets (not purely local plays), aligning with the GFP’s focus on global impact. Sectors can vary from deep tech and fintech to consumer tech or sustainability and Singapore’s broad industry support means founders across various domains can qualify.

   
   

3. Commitment to Singapore: Founders must be willing to relocate or base key operations in Singapore. This includes incorporating the company in Singapore and spending significant time developing the business here. While the team can be distributed, GFP likely expects the core leadership to be in Singapore to fully utilize the resources and community. Both Singaporeans starting new ventures and international founders are eligible, as long as the venture will be built from Singapore.

   
   

4. Alignment with Program Goals: There may be qualitative criteria such as the innovation level of the business idea, the potential economic contribution (e.g. job creation, investment) to Singapore, and the founder’s fit with the community. EDB will be looking for founders who are not only building the next profitable company but also contributing to the vibrancy of the local startup ecosystem.

   
   

How to Apply

Application to the Global Founder Programme is managed by EDB. As of 2025, the process to apply is as follows:

1. Expression of Interest: Interested founders typically start by contacting EDB or submitting an online form on the EDB website. This initial step collects basic information (personal details, company idea, etc.) and provides applicants with a detailed information booklet about the programme. The GFP Information Booklet (released April 2025) outlines the full programme benefits and includes the link to the formal application.

   
   

2. Application Submission: Founders then prepare a formal application. This likely involves a proposal or pitch deck for the new venture, details of the founder’s background and previous entrepreneurial experience, and a business plan indicating why Singapore is the chosen base. There may not be a strict “application window” since the GFP is an ongoing initiative, applications could be reviewed on a rolling basis. However, EDB might form cohorts or waves of founders for networking purposes, so timing could affect how soon one can join the next group.

   
   

3. Evaluation and Selection: EDB will evaluate applications, possibly in collaboration with industry partners or venture investors (given the involvement of capital networks). Criteria include the viability and innovation of the business idea, the founder’s experience, and the potential fit with Singapore’s ecosystem. Shortlisted candidates might undergo interviews or discussions with the GFP team. Because the programme offers intensive support, selection is expected to be competitive and curated.

   
   

4. Onboarding: Once accepted, EDB works closely with the founder to onboard them into the programme. This includes setting up the necessary incorporation (if not already done), guiding them on work passes/visas (for foreign founders and key hires), and introducing them to the GFP community and mentors. The founder can then immediately tap into Start-phase resources, beginning their journey in Singapore with government support on hand.

   
   

It’s worth noting that while the GFP provides extensive support, it does not automatically grant immigration status or funding on its own. Founders still must meet Singapore’s immigration criteria for employment passes, for example but being in GFP presumably streamlines this via EDB’s facilitation. Similarly, any investment must be secured from the market, but GFP increases the chances by connecting founders to the right people.

2025 Updates and Recent Developments

The Global Founder Programme is a fresh initiative in 2025, and developments are unfolding quickly. Here are the latest highlights and context up to 2025:

1. Budget 2025 Announcement: The GFP was unveiled during Singapore’s Budget 2025 deliberations as a strategic move to bolster entrepreneurship. Alongside this, the government earmarked large funds (such as a S$1 billion Private Credit Fund for local enterprises and S$150 million for AI and internationalisation initiatives) to enhance the startup and innovation landscape. The introduction of GFP fits into this broader push to make Singapore a magnet for high-potential startups.

   
   

2. Launch of Applications: By April 2025, the EDB officially opened applications for the Global Founder Programme, inviting founders worldwide to apply. This was publicized on EDB’s channels and through partners. Immigration and relocation firms, like AIMS Immigration, also began promoting GFP to their clients, highlighting that Singapore is “open for global founders” and offering help with the process.

   
   

3. GFP Information Booklet: On April 15, 2025, EDB released an information booklet (in digital form) detailing the programme’s offerings. This indicates that by mid-April, the programme structure, benefits, and application link were ready for potential applicants. The booklet outlines who the programme is for, the benefits at each stage (Start, Build, Accelerate), and showcases some of the “serial founders and builders in our community” as inspiration.

   
   

4. Industry Partnerships: EDB has onboarded a network of trusted business partners to support GFP participants. These include corporate services firms (for company incorporation and accounting), banks (for setting up bank accounts and financing solutions), and talent specialists. The presence of partners like DBS Bank, Acclime, Asia Market Entry, Hawksford, and Globalization Partners suggests that by 2025, EDB has a ready ecosystem to assist with everything from setting up a local entity to recruiting talent. This network is a backbone of the programme’s promise of seamless integration.

   
   

5. Growing Interest: Initial response to GFP appears strong. In Singapore’s entrepreneurship circles, there’s buzz about the programme’s potential to bring in top-tier founders. Local tech media and global startup forums are watching how the first batch of GFP founders will fare. It’s expected that later in 2025, EDB might share updates or success metrics from the inaugural cohorts (such as number of founders attracted, industries represented, or funds raised by GFP startups). These updates will demonstrate the programme’s impact and guide any future tweaks.

   
   

As a brand-new programme, concrete success metrics are still on the horizon. However, Singapore’s commitment of resources and the strategic importance placed on GFP signal that it will be a flagship initiative in the coming years. Entrepreneurs considering Asia expansion or a new startup in 2025 should keep a close eye on GFP developments.

Success Stories and Case Studies

Arkadiah (ClimaTech Startup)

While the Global Founder Programme itself is just taking off, it builds upon Singapore’s strong track record of attracting and growing global startups. Many international founders have already found success using Singapore as a launchpad – GFP aims to replicate and multiply these successes in a structured way. Here are a few illustrative examples that highlight what’s possible in Singapore’s ecosystem:

1. Arkadiah (ClimaTech Startup) – Founded by Reuben Lai and Jefferson Chen: These tech founders chose Singapore for its talent-friendly policies and vibrant startup scene. Their company, Arkadiah, develops nature-tech solutions to support reforestation and improve carbon accounting across Southeast Asia. In Singapore, they assembled an interdisciplinary team (ecologists, engineers, finance experts) and collaborated with local research institutes to build a product with global relevance. Singapore’s base offered them access to regional partners and a skilled workforce, demonstrating how a mission-driven global startup can thrive here.

   
   

2. Advance Intelligence Group (AI-Fintech Unicorn) – Co-founded by serial entrepreneurs: Advance Intelligence is an AI-driven fintech firm that has grown into a unicorn with dual headquarters in Singapore and Jakarta. Over a fifth of the company’s global workforce is based in Singapore, where the company’s headquarters has expanded rapidly. Senior leadership in Singapore oversee operations and product development, while tapping into young local talent to scale new fintech ventures. This case shows Singapore’s appeal to later-stage startups: as they scale, they invest in Singapore as a core hub for talent and innovation. It’s exactly this kind of scenario a high-growth company anchoring in Singapore to go global that GFP is designed to facilitate from an earlier stage.

   
   

3. Tianyi Jiang’s AvePoint (Global Tech Company) – Building a Tech Empire from Singapore: Tianyi Jiang, CEO of NASDAQ-listed AvePoint, has publicly shared his vision of building a global tech empire from Singapore (as noted in EDB’s insights) – underscoring the city-state’s attractiveness to tech leaders. AvePoint, a US-headquartered cloud and software solutions firm, chose Singapore for its Asia-Pacific base. The company benefits from Singapore’s connectivity to regional markets and pro-business environment. Entrepreneurs like Tianyi leverage Singapore not just for local sales, but as a strategic node in their global network. Their success lays a path that programmes like GFP can help new founders follow.

   
   

These stories, among others, highlight the ingredients for success that Singapore offers: access to talent, supportive policies, connectivity to Asia, and a collaborative ecosystem. The Global Founder Programme takes these ingredients and wraps them into a guided experience for selected entrepreneurs. By doing so, it seeks to produce the next wave of success stories perhaps the next big fintech innovator or sustainability tech champion launching from Singapore’s shores.

Conclusion Global Founder Programme

In summary, Singapore’s Global Founder Programme is an exciting development for the global entrepreneurship community. It is more than just a visa or an incubation scheme it’s a comprehensive platform that aligns government support, industry connections, and the startup community to empower founders. For Singapore, GFP is a strategic bet to remain at the forefront of innovation by drawing in top global talent. For entrepreneurs, it’s an invitation to plug into one of the world’s most dynamic startup hubs with an added boost of facilitation and resources.

As of 2025, the GFP stands out as a unique offering in Asia: a country-level initiative laser-focused on experienced founders ready to make their next venture truly global. With strong government backing and a clear value proposition, the programme’s evolution will be closely watched. Early indications suggest it could be a game-changer for entrepreneurs eyeing Singapore simplifying entry, accelerating growth, and ultimately helping turn bold ideas into international successes from the Lion City.

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Sources:

• Singapore Economic Development Board – Global Founder Programme (overview & booklet)

• The Business Times – Budget 2025 commentary on startup ecosystem

• EDB Instagram – Highlights of GFP benefits (founder community, networks, experts)

• AIMS Immigration – Guidance on GFP visa and incorporation process

• EDB Founder Spotlight – Example of founders leveraging Singapore’s ecosystem (Arkadiah, Advance AI)