Key Takeaways:
A startup incubator in Singapore gives early-stage founders mentorship, workspace and networks. Most do not take equity.
Singapore-based programmes like BLOCK71, SMU IIE BIG, ACE.SG and Antler lead the local scene, while global names like Y Combinator and Techstars remain options for founders ready to relocate.
Airwallex gives Singapore startups a business account that you can open online, with no setup fee or monthly minimum — and scales with you when you start collecting or paying in foreign currencies.
Choosing the right startup incubator in Singapore can shape how fast your idea moves from concept to launch.
Incubators give early-stage founders structure, mentorship, and networks before they hit product-market fit. Most do not take equity, so the downside risk is low.
Singapore has built one of Asia's most active incubator ecosystems. BLOCK71, run by NUS Enterprise, has incubated over 1,600 startups since 2011¹. SMU's Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship has supported 563 startups that collectively raised S$747 million in funding².
This guide compares the top startup incubators in Singapore for 2026. You'll see how each programme works, what it costs in equity (if anything), and which stage of founder it suits best. We also cover a few global programmes Singapore founders often shortlist.
What is a startup incubator?
A startup incubator is a programme that helps early-stage founders shape an idea into a real business. Most incubators run for six months to two years, depending on how much support a founder needs.
You typically get workspace, mentorship from experienced founders, and access to a network of investors and corporate partners.
Most incubators in Singapore are equity-free, which means they don't take a stake in your company for joining. Some are run by universities, some by government agencies, and some by private VCs as a feeder into their accelerator programmes.
Incubators are best for founders who are still validating an idea, looking for a co-founder, or pre-revenue. If you already have paying customers and a product, an accelerator is usually a better fit.
What is a startup accelerator?
A startup accelerator is a short, intensive programme that helps companies with early traction grow faster. Most accelerators run for three to six months and follow a cohort structure, with all startups starting and finishing together.
Accelerators usually invest a fixed amount of capital in exchange for equity, often between 5% and 10%. In return, you get mentorship, structured curriculum, exposure to investors, and a Demo Day at the end where you pitch to a room of VCs and angels. You apply for a specific cohort, get accepted (or not), and the clock starts.
Accelerators suit founders who have a product, some users or revenue, and want to compress two years of growth into a few months.
Incubators vs accelerators — which fits you better?
The two programme types solve different problems at different stages. Here’s a quick overview:
Incubators | Accelerators | |
|---|---|---|
Stage of startup | Pre-revenue, idea or prototype | Has an MVP, early users or revenue |
Programme duration | Six months to two years | Three to six months |
Funding and equity | Usually no funding, no equity taken | Funding in exchange for equity (typically 5–10%) |
Admission | Rolling intake | Cohort-based |
Demo Day | Usually none | Almost always ends with one |
Goal | Help you validate and build | Help you grow and raise your next round |
In short, pick an incubator if you're still figuring out what to build and who to build it with. Pick an accelerator if you already have something working and want to scale it fast.
While you’re at it, apply for an Airwallex Business Account to keep your personal finances separate from your business finances. You can open the account fully online, with no minimum balance, no monthly fee (Explore plan), and no in-person bank visits.
13 best startup incubators in Singapore for 2026
Singapore's incubator scene is led by university-backed programmes, government-supported initiatives, and a growing number of corporate and sector-specific players.
Here’s a quick overview of the best incubators in Singapore, before we get into the details:
Programme | Type | Duration | Funding | Equity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BLOCK71 | Incubator | Varies by track (quarterly intake) | Equity-free | None |
SMU IIE BIG | Incubator | Varies | Equity-free | None |
ACE.SG | Incubator | 3 months | Equity-free; facilitates S$50,000 SG Founders Grant | None |
Antler Singapore | Inception-stage VC | 6-week residency | US$150,000 at inception; up to US$25M follow-on via Antler Elevate | 10% for initial US$100,000 |
Iterative | Accelerator | 12 weeks (twice a year) | US$150,000–US$500,000 | ~10–15% |
EduSpaze | Sector accelerator | 3 months | Up to S$500,000 | Small stake based on valuation |
Startup-O | Online platform + VC | No fixed cohort | Co-investment via MAS-licensed entity | Varies |
SGInnovate | Deep tech investor | No fixed cohort | Direct equity investment | Equity stake |
Quest Ventures | VC + accelerator | Programme-based | Equity investment | Equity stake |
Innovate 360 | Sector accelerator | Varies by stage | Investment via Asia Food Sustainability Fund; access to S$50,000 SG Founders Grant | Equity stake |
StartupX | Corporate innovation platform | Programme-based | No standardised offer; corporate pilot opportunities | None typically |
Plug and Play Singapore | Sector accelerator | Programme-based | Varies; corporate partnerships | Varies |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
1. BLOCK71
BLOCK71 is Singapore's most established startup incubator and is powered by NUS Enterprise. It has incubated more than 1,600 ventures across three Singapore hubs since 2011³.
The Hangar at NUS supports student-led startups, LaunchPad @ one-north hosts incorporated companies regardless of background, and the Singapore Science Park hub focuses on deep tech.
BLOCK71 also runs hubs in the US, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and China, which gives Singapore founders a built-in regional network. Cohorts open every quarter, with both a General Track and themed tracks like Deep SAGE for deep tech and the Asia Green Energy Innovation Challenge.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Equity-free incubation backed by NUS Enterprise | The Hangar is restricted to NUS-affiliated founders |
Three Singapore hubs covering early-stage to deep tech | Other hubs require Singapore incorporation |
Global presence across six countries | No standardised funding offer |
Quarterly intake — no long waits to apply | Sector-themed tracks may not suit all founders |
Strong alumni track record | Programme-specific eligibility varies by call |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
2. SMU IIE Business Innovations Generator (BIG)
The Business Innovations Generator (BIG) is the incubator arm of SMU's Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It was established in 2009 to help aspiring entrepreneurs take an idea to market².
BIG has incubated 563 startups, which have collectively raised S$747 million in funding. The programme is based at SMU Connexion in the city centre, giving founders direct access to SMU faculty mentors, industry partners, and a community of fellow student and alumni founders.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Equity-free incubation with SMU faculty support | Stronger fit for SMU students and alumni |
Long track record since 2009 | Less suited for fast-scaling growth-stage startups |
City-centre location at SMU Connexion | No standardised funding amount |
Strong portfolio funding outcomes | Limited cohort size each intake |
Access to SMU's mentor and investor network | Programme structure not fully detailed publicly |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
3. ACE.SG
ACE.SG runs Singapore's equity-free three-month signature incubation programme out of LaunchPad @ one-north4. It targets early-stage founders who want a structured curriculum covering business model design, customer acquisition, fundraising basics, and IP — backed by mentor coaching and a Demo Day at the end.
Each incubatee gets benefits worth more than S$25,000, including three months of free co-working space. ACE.SG has incubated more than 300 startups across 22+ cohorts and is connected to 110+ active investors and 150+ mentors globally. It's a strong fit if you want structured incubation without giving up any equity.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Equity-free with no programme fee | No direct funding from ACE.SG itself |
Structured 3-month curriculum from MVP to pitch | Best suited to early-stage, not revenue-stage startups |
Three months of free co-working at LaunchPad @ one-north | Singapore-focused — less global network reach |
Facilitates the S$50,000 SG Founders Grant for eligible startups | Workshops and events require significant time commitment |
Strong investor and mentor network access | Limited intake per cohort |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
4. Antler Singapore
Antler positions itself as an inception-stage VC rather than a traditional incubator or accelerator. Its Singapore residency runs for 6 weeks and is built for founders ready to find a co-founder, validate an idea, and launch a venture quickly5.
Antler invests US$150,000 for 10% equity — structured as US$100,000 for 10% equity plus US$50,000 via an uncapped MFN SAFE — with no residency fee. Once you raise an institutional round, Antler commits up to US$250,000 in matching capital at 50% of the round size, and can follow on up to US$25 million through Antler Elevate at Series A and beyond.
Acceptance is competitive: fewer than 3% of applicants make it in, and the residency requires full-time, in-person attendance in Singapore.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
No residency fee — full investment deployed after 6 weeks | Takes 10% equity for the initial US$100,000 |
Strong follow-on potential up to US$25 million via Antler Elevate | Fewer than 3% of applicants accepted |
Operates in 27+ cities globally for downstream introductions | Full-time, in-person commitment in Singapore for 6 weeks |
Open to founders without a co-founder, with help to find one | Industry-agnostic — less specialist domain expertise |
80%+ of portfolio companies raise external capital within 12 months | Founders cover their own travel and living costs during residency |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
5. Iterative
Iterative is a Singapore-based VC and accelerator focused on Southeast Asian founders. It runs two 12-week programs a year — Winter (February to May) and Summer (July to September) — and invests US$150,000 to US$500,000 for approximately 10–15% equity using a post-money SAFE6.
There's a three-day in-person orientation, then the rest of the program is fully remote, built around weekly one-on-one office hours with Lead Partners who are all experienced founders themselves.
Iterative pushes its companies toward a 5–7% weekly growth rate during the 12 weeks, with the final four weeks dedicated to Demo Day preparation. Companies that have been through the program have collectively raised US$168 million.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Full investment paid upfront with no milestones or clawbacks | Takes 10–15% equity |
All Lead Partners are experienced founders | Only two cohorts per year — long wait between intakes |
Fully remote after a three-day orientation | Focus on weekly growth rate may not suit every business model |
No program fees | Best for SEA-focused founders |
Active Slack community of 200+ founders | No standardised curriculum — support is tailored per company |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
6. EduSpaze
EduSpaze is Singapore's first edtech accelerator, supported by Enterprise Singapore and managed by Spaze Ventures7. It runs a customised three-month programme specifically for early-stage edtech startups, with seed funding up to S$500,000 for a small equity stake based on the startup's valuation.
EduSpaze pairs founders with Educators-in-Residence — practising educators who give industry feedback on product fit — and a global overseas network for regional expansion.
If you're building anything in K-12, higher education, corporate learning, or adjacent edtech sectors, this is the most sector-specific incubator in Singapore.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Up to S$500,000 in seed funding for a small equity stake | Restricted to edtech startups only |
Government-backed via Enterprise Singapore | Equity taken (small stake based on valuation) |
Sector-specific edtech expertise and network | Smaller cohort sizes mean competitive admission |
Customised three-month curriculum per startup | Less suited for non-Southeast Asia–focused startups |
Educators-in-Residence give direct domain feedback | Programme structure varies per startup, less predictable schedule |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
7. Startup-O
Startup-O is a Singapore-based startup platform launched in 2016 that combines online assessment, venture capital, and cross-border scaling under one roof. Its Fasttrack programme is an online investment assessment that lets tech founders from anywhere get evaluated by a global panel, raise capital, and connect with expert mentors8.
Startup-O Ventures is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as an asset management company and offers co-investment opportunities into top-ranked startups. Its Edge programme helps later-stage scale-ups with go-to-market strategy and access to 250+ corporate decision-makers across Asia.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Fully online assessment — apply from anywhere | No fixed cohort calendar publicly stated |
MAS-licensed asset management entity for investments | Funding terms not standardised on public pages |
Cross-border scaling support via Startup-O Edge | Less hands-on than a residency-style incubator |
Network spans 15 countries | More VC-style filter than structured curriculum |
Strong corporate decision-maker access for scale-ups | Best suited to tech-focused ventures |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
8. SGInnovate
SGInnovate is the Singapore Government's deep tech catalyst, focused on investing in and building startups working on emerging technologies. It supports a community of 190,000+ deep tech professionals, runs 1,000+ community activities, and works with 2,000+ industry partners9.
Through Deep Tech Central, founders can access startup growth funding, talent development programmes, and a curated portfolio of investment opportunities.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Government-backed investor for deep tech ventures | Restricted to deep tech sectors |
Direct equity investment into portfolio startups | Equity stake taken |
Access to 190,000+ deep tech professional community | Less suited for consumer or SaaS startups |
Talent development pipeline through Helix and Summation | Application process more rigorous than general incubators |
Strong industry partner network for commercialisation | No fixed-duration cohort programme |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
9. Quest Ventures
Quest Ventures is a Singapore-based venture capital firm and accelerator that has operated across Asia since 201110. It manages over US$80 million in assets as of 31 December 2025, with 150+ portfolio companies across 150 cities.
Its Accelerate arm runs the Startup Singapore Quest programme, alongside the Singapore Global Innovation and Vietnam Global Innovation programmes. Portfolio companies include Carousell, Carro, Shopback, 99.co, and Oddle.
Quest Ventures sits among the top 10 most active investors in Southeast Asia and Central Asia, and is a strong fit for tech founders targeting cross-border growth across Asia.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
15+ year track record across Asia | Equity-based investment model |
Top 10 most active investor in SEA and Central Asia | Highly selective — competitive admission |
Multiple themed funds (Asia, Food, Metaverse, Super Angel) | Focused on tech and digital economy verticals |
Portfolio includes unicorns like Carousell and Shopback | No standardised cohort calendar publicly stated |
Active operations across 150 cities in Asia | Better fit for founders targeting Asia-wide growth |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
10. Innovate 360
Innovate 360 is Singapore's first food accelerator with integrated facilities and venture capital support, founded in 201811. It has supported over 230 startups across AI and deep tech, agri-tech, food sustainability, and consumer concepts.
The accelerator manages over 200,000 square feet of facilities including shared R&D laboratories, licensed commercial kitchens, cloud kitchens, warehousing, and manufacturing space. It is recognised as a technology partner by the APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security and appointed by Enterprise Singapore as an EntrePass Partner.
Through the Asia Food Sustainability Fund, Innovate 360 also invests in Series A and B food startups. As a Startup SG Founder Accredited Mentor Partner, it can also help eligible founders access the S$50,000 Startup SG Founder Grant12.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Singapore's first food accelerator with facilities | Restricted to food, agri-tech and food sustainability startups |
200,000+ sq ft of R&D, kitchen and production space | Equity-based investment model via Asia Food Sustainability Fund |
EntrePass Partner — supports foreign founders relocating to Singapore | Less suited to consumer software or fintech startups |
Direct access to S$50,000 Startup SG Founder Grant as AMP | Programme structure varies by startup stage |
Strong global network for food industry commercialisation | Cohort intake details not standardised publicly |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
11. StartupX
StartupX is a Singapore-headquartered decentralised innovation platform that connects startups with corporate partners across borders and industries. It has supported 2,000+ startups, developed 100+ corporate innovation challenges annually, and facilitated 700+ direct corporate conversations13.
Its global database tracks high-potential startups across 110+ countries and connects them to 250+ corporate partners for pilots and scaling opportunities. Active programmes include the Singapore Tourism Accelerator, the WAIC Future Tech Pitching Competition, the KTSC Travel Tech Showcase 2026, and the Transfong AI Immersion.
StartupX suits founders looking for corporate pilot opportunities rather than equity investment.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Direct access to 250+ corporate partners for pilots | Not a traditional equity incubator |
Sector-specific accelerators (tourism, AI, travel tech) | Programme structure varies by initiative |
Global database across 110+ countries | Less suited for pre-product or idea-stage startups |
Track record of 700+ facilitated corporate conversations | No standardised funding offer |
Strong government and ecosystem network across Asia, Europe, US | Best for startups with a working product seeking enterprise traction |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
12. Plug and Play Singapore
Plug and Play launched its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore in 2010 and now operates accelerator programmes across Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Malaysia14.
Globally, Plug and Play runs 60+ industry-focused accelerator programmes in 35 cities and invests in 250+ early-stage startups a year14. Its flagship Singapore programme is the Fintech Accelerator, launched in 2018, which connects fintech startups with major financial institutions across Southeast Asia15.
The accelerator focuses on open banking, payments, trade finance, wealth management, and other financial services verticals¹⁸. Plug and Play is also the appointed organiser of the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) San Francisco Acceleration Programme in partnership with Enterprise Singapore, helping Singapore startups expand to the US¹⁹.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Global brand with 35-city presence and 500+ corporate partners | Programmes are sector-specific (mostly fintech in Singapore) |
Direct access to major financial institutions and corporates | Selection competitive — pitch-based admission |
Multiple SEA accelerator programmes (SG, ID, TH, PH, MY) | Limited focus on consumer or non-fintech verticals locally |
Partnership with Enterprise Singapore for US expansion via GIA | Equity terms not standardised publicly |
Strong pilot and POC opportunities for B2B fintechs | Best suited to startups with a working product |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 21 May 2026.
Global programmes Singapore founders also consider
A few global accelerators don't have a Singapore programme but are well-known options for Singapore founders willing to relocate. None are based in Singapore — most require moving to the US, UK, or India for the duration of the programme.
Y Combinator (USA)
Y Combinator is widely regarded as the world's top startup accelerator. It runs a three-month programme four times a year — winter, spring, summer, and fall — with the final week culminating in a Demo Day where founders pitch to selected investors and press²⁰.
YC invests US$500,000 in every company on standard terms: US$125,000 on a post-money SAFE for 7% equity, plus US$375,000 on an uncapped SAFE with a Most Favored Nation provision²¹.
Best for: Ambitious tech founders willing to relocate to San Francisco for the batch.
Techstars (Global)
Techstars runs three-month accelerator programmes in cities around the world, including Boulder, Boston, London, Tokyo, Sydney, and Tel Aviv²². Each programme has small class sizes and pairs founders with experienced mentors to help them find product-market fit, get traction, and access capital²².
Best for: Founders who want a mentor-driven accelerator experience in a specific city.
Surge by Peak XV (India)
Surge is the seed-stage programme by Peak XV (formerly Sequoia Capital India and SEA). It runs a 16-week hybrid online/offline programme and invests up to US$3 million in seed funding per company²³.
Surge operates an open architecture — other funds and angels are invited to co-invest alongside Surge in the seed round²³. Each startup gets a dedicated seed investment advisor for the entire journey²³.
Best for: Ambitious founders across Asia raising a substantial seed round.
Entrepreneur First (Global)
Entrepreneur First (EF) runs a two-stage 24-week programme — FORM (weeks 1–12) in your local hub, followed by LAUNCH (weeks 12–24) in San Francisco²⁴. The programme is rolling and runs out of San Francisco, New York, London, Paris, and Bangalore²⁴.
At the start of FORM, founders receive an equity-free Talent Investment grant to cover living costs²⁴. At the end, teams pitch to the Investment Committee for up to US$250,000 in funding per team — US$125,000 from EF plus up to US$125,000 from Transpose Platform²⁴.
Best for: Individual operators looking to find a co-founder and start a company from scratch.
Government-backed pathways every Singapore founder should know
Beyond private incubators, the Singapore government runs several schemes that complement incubator participation. Most are administered by Enterprise Singapore and JTC, and many incubators on this list are already Accredited Mentor Partners (AMPs) for them.
Startup SG Founder Grant
Startup SG Founder gives first-time entrepreneurs S$20,000 to S$50,000 in matched funding plus 12 months of mentorship from an Accredited Mentor Partner²⁵. The grant runs on a 1:1 ratio — you put in S$10,000 to S$25,000 as paid-up capital, and Enterprise Singapore matches it dollar for dollar²⁵.
You can't apply directly to Enterprise Singapore; an AMP has to endorse your application first. Several incubators on this list — including BLOCK71 (via NUS Enterprise), SMU IIE, ACE.SG, Antler, Quest Ventures, and Innovate 360 — are AMPs.
Startup SG Accelerator
Startup SG Accelerator is the government's scheme that supports approved accelerators and venture builders working with high-potential startups²⁶.
The programme funds ecosystem enablers — accelerators, incubators, and venture builders — to help them deliver structured growth support to local startups.
You don't apply for this scheme directly. Instead, joining an approved accelerator on the Startup SG network gives you access to the resources it provides.
JTC LaunchPad @ one-north
JTC LaunchPad @ one-north is the physical heart of Singapore's startup ecosystem. Since 2015, it has housed over 2,400 startups across seven blocks, including tech unicorns Carousell, PatSnap, and Nium, plus more than 30 incubators, accelerators and venture capital firms²⁷.
Many of the Singapore-based incubators in this guide — ACE.SG, BLOCK71, Iterative, EduSpaze, Quest Ventures — operate out of LaunchPad. JTC is also launching Kampong AI, an integrated work-and-live space for AI startups, with a pilot phase opening in March 2026 and full completion expected in 2028²⁸.
Why Singapore startups choose Airwallex
At an early stage, it's easy to run everything off a personal account or a co-founder's credit card.
But at some point, the cracks start showing. Personal cards get rejected by Stripe. Reimbursements pile up. You can't tell what's a business expense and what isn't. That's when most Singapore founders open a real business account.
Airwallex is built for that moment — and for the years after, when you start hiring across the region, paying overseas suppliers, or collecting payments from customers outside Singapore. Here’s what you get with Airwallex:
A business account that you can open 100% online
You can apply for an Airwallex Business Account fully online, with no minimum balance, no monthly fee (Explore plan), and no in-person bank visits. It's the kind of account you can open in the same week you incorporate.
Pay overseas suppliers and contractors with $0 transfer fees
Airwallex Transfers lets you send free transfers to 120+ countries via local rails. 93% of transfers arrive on the same day, and 45% arrive instantly.
Accept payments from customers anywhere
When you're ready to start collecting revenue, Airwallex Payments supports credit cards, wallets, and 160+ local payment methods across major markets — without forcing you to set up a separate merchant account in each country.
Hold and convert currencies as you grow
Once you start serving customers or hiring outside Singapore, you'll need to hold US dollars, ringgit, or Indonesian rupiah without converting back to SGD each time. Airwallex lets you hold 20+ currencies in one account and convert at competitive FX rates that save you up to 80% on FX fees.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Do startup incubators in Singapore take equity?
Most startup incubators in Singapore are equity-free, including BLOCK71, SMU IIE BIG, and ACE.SG. Programmes that do invest capital — such as Antler, Iterative, EduSpaze, and SGInnovate — typically take an equity stake in exchange. Always check the funding terms on the official application page before applying.
How do you apply to a startup incubator in Singapore?
You apply directly through the incubator's website, usually by submitting an application form and a pitch deck. Shortlisted teams are invited to a 15-minute interview with the admissions committee, followed by a final acceptance call. Most Singapore incubators have rolling intakes, while accelerators like Antler and Iterative run fixed cohorts a few times a year.
Can a startup join multiple incubators in Singapore at the same time?
It depends on the programme. Some incubators have exclusivity clauses in their participation agreement that prevent overlap, while others are open to it. Always read the participation terms carefully before signing — especially if the incubator takes equity or commits capital.
What stage does a startup need to be at to join a Singapore incubator?
Most Singapore incubators accept startups from the idea or prototype stage. BLOCK71, SMU IIE BIG, and ACE.SG are designed for pre-revenue founders, while Antler and Entrepreneur First even accept individual founders without a co-founder. If you already have a working product and paying customers, an accelerator like Iterative or Plug and Play is usually a better fit.
Are startup incubators in Singapore free?
Most Singapore startup incubators are free to join — meaning no programme fee and no equity taken. BLOCK71, SMU IIE BIG, and ACE.SG fall into this category. A few VC-backed programmes like Antler, Iterative, and EduSpaze invest capital in exchange for equity, but none charge a participation fee.
How long do startup incubator programmes in Singapore last?
Programme length varies. ACE.SG and EduSpaze run for around three months, Iterative runs for 12 weeks, and Antler is a six-week intensive residency. University-backed incubators like BLOCK71 and SMU IIE BIG can run longer and are less time-bound, giving you space to validate before scaling.
Sources
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/272-incubators-increase-small-business-success.html
https://www.iterative.vc/what-happens-at-iterative
https://www.antler.co/location/singapore
https://surge.peakxv.com/how-it-works/
https://www.ycombinator.com/about
https://www.joinef.com/programs/
This publication does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice from Airwallex, nor does it substitute seeking such advice, and makes no express or implied representations / warranties / guarantees regarding content accuracy, completeness, or currency. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]]. Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (201626561Z) is licensed as a Major Payment Institution and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Shermaine Tan
Manager, Growth Marketing
Shermaine spearheads the development and execution of content strategy for businesses in Singapore and the SEA region at Airwallex. Leveraging her extensive experience in eCommerce, digital payment solutions, business banking, and the cross-border industry, she provides invaluable insights that guide businesses through the complexities of global commerce. Specialising in crafting relevant and engaging content that resonates with business owners, her work is designed to drive growth and innovation within the fintech and business economy space.
Posted in:
Start-upsShare
- What is a startup incubator?
- What is a startup accelerator?
- Incubators vs accelerators — which fits you better?
- 13 best startup incubators in Singapore for 2026
- Global programmes Singapore founders also consider
- Government-backed pathways every Singapore founder should know
- Why Singapore startups choose Airwallex


