Best startup accelerators and incubators in Singapore (2025 guide)

Launching a new business can be challenging, but a startup incubator might be just what you need to turn your idea into a realised venture. Incubators are programs designed to help early-stage startups get their business off the ground by providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and key resources. Research shows that startups in incubators are twice as likely to make it through their first five years compared to those that go it alone.¹ In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best incubators and tech accelerators in Singapore that can help you start up your own business.

What is a startup incubator?

A startup incubator is a program or organisation focused on helping early-stage businesses bring their ideas to market. Typically, these programs last between six months to two years and offer support to help startups develop their products and services. They often provide office spaces, mentorship and networking opportunities, as well as access to funding rounds and investment connections.

Here’s examples of startup incubators:

• Antler, Singapore

• BLOCK71, Singapore

• SMU IIE, Singapore

• SOSV, United States

• Station F, France

• TechNexus, United States

• Tenity, Switzerland

• LaunchVic, Australia

• MaRS, Canada

• Parallel18, Puerto Rico

If you’re looking to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey, read our articles on how to start a business in Singapore, how to register a company in Singapore, and the prioritisation frameworks every startup should use to gain insights on how to set up your company successfully.

Main purposes of startup incubators

Startup incubators typically step in during a business's early ideation phase, when founders are shaping their business plan or finding their product-market fit. Their primary goal is to support these new startups in market research, product development, and business model validation.

Pros and cons of joining startup incubators

Pros:

• Access to resources such as office space, software tools, and equipment

• Training programs and business workshops such as accounting and finance, product development, and pitching techniques.

• Networking and mentorship opportunities

• Increase your chances of attracting and securing funding

Cons:

• Typically lacks funding support

• Time commitment to participate in various training programs and events

What is a startup accelerator?

A startup accelerator is a short, intensive program designed to help early-stage companies scale quickly. They often provide limited funding in exchange for equity in the startup. Unlike incubators, which work with startups in their pre-seed stages, accelerators usually accept companies that have already launched a product and are looking to accelerate their growth. Accelerator programs typically last for a three to six months, during which selected startups receive mentorship, access to funding, and exposure to potential investors.

How do startup accelerators work?

Startup accelerators operate by providing selected startups with a structured program to expedite their growth. Here's how they typically work:

• Application and selection process. Startups apply to join an accelerator program, usually through a competitive application process. Accelerators review applications and select a cohort of promising startups to participate in the program.

• Funding. Once accepted, most accelerators offer startups a small amount of funding to help cover expenses throughout the program, usually in exchange for a small equity stake in the company.

• Mentorship and support: Startups gain access to industry experts who offer guidance on key business areas such as strategy, product development, and fundraising.

• Networking: Accelerators offer startups access to a network of industry contacts, potential investors or potential recruits. Read our article for more on how to hire for success when you’re an unknown startup.

• Educational workshops and events: These may cover topics like market analysis, financial management, and pitching techniques.

• Demo day: At the end of the accelerator program, startups showcase their progress and pitch their business to potential investors during a demo day. This provides startups with an opportunity to secure additional funding to further their growth.

How do top accelerators choose startups?

When evaluating startups, accelerators look at various key factors to pick the most promising ones to support: 

• Product or service. Accelerators typically look for startups with unique, innovative products or services that have the potential to bring something new to the market.

• Market opportunities.  Accelerators are interested in startups that have identified a large and growing market for their product or service.

• Traction. Even though accelerators work with early-stage startups, they still look for some level of traction, such as initial customer acquisition or market validation.

• Growth potential. Accelerators evaluate the scalability and growth potential of a startup to determine if it has the potential to become a successful, high-growth business. This means having a solid business model, strong business metrics, and a short payback period.

Incubators vs accelerators: Which is right for startups?

While both business incubators and accelerator programs in Singapore provide resources and support for early-stage startups, there are some key differences between the two programs:

• Definition and purpose: Incubators are designed to help startups develop their business ideas, while accelerators focus on accelerating the growth of startups that are ready to scale.

• Stage of startups: Incubators typically work with very early-stage startups that are still in the ideation phase, while accelerators work with startups that already have some traction.

• Program duration: Incubator programs tend to be longer, ranging from six months to two years, while accelerator programs are more intensive and typically last only three to six months in order for startups to quickly reach the next phase of growth.

• Funding & equity: Incubators typically do not offer funding to startups, nor do they usually take equity in the companies they support. On the other hand, accelerator programs often provide funding in exchange for equity, usually a small percentage of the startup.

• Outcome and goals: Incubators aim to help startups develop their ideas, validate their business models, and build a solid foundation for future growth. In contrast, the primary goal of accelerators is to help startups overcome growth challenges such as market expansion and fundraising, while preparing them for pivotal moments like demo day, where they present their ideas to investors with the goal of securing funding.

Comparing top 12 startup incubators and accelerators for SMEs in Singapore

Iterative

Iterative is a Singapore-based venture capital firm that runs three-month accelerator programs focusing on startups across Southeast Asia. It invests in startups across all industries at all stages, from those still in the ideation phase to those already generating significant revenue. Once accepted into its program, Iterative invests between S$202,000 and $675,000 for approximately a 10% stake of the company.² In addition to funding, the firm provides guidance and collaborate closely with startup founders over weekly 1-on-1 office hours, closed-door speaker sessions, fundraising boot camps, and more to help founders achieve their target weekly growth rate of 5-7%.

Pros 

• Fully remote program after an in-person orientation

• Tailored weekly 1:1 office hours with lead partners

• No program fee

Cons 

• No standard curriculum

• Investment capped at S$675,000

• Requires giving up 10% equity

Antler

Antler is a global pre-seed VC firm based in Singapore. It runs a combined incubator and accelerator program in 20+ countries, open to individuals with or without a startup idea. Over the course of its initial ten-week residency curriculum, founders will have the opportunity to find a co-founder, get coaching and office hours, validate their idea, and launch their business. At the end of the residency, founders can pitch for an investment of S$168,000 in exchange for a 10% equity stake.³ Startups that receive investment will become part of Antler's portfolio and move on to the next stage of its program. Over the next six months, they will have access to additional funding of up to S$810,000, as well as ongoing support from Antler's network of mentors and other founders in its global community.

Pros

• No need to have a startup idea to join Antler

• Opportunity to form teams and find your co-founder

• Potential long-term capital partner through Antler Elevate, an emerging growth fund for Series A startups and beyond

Cons

• Expensive program fee of S$60,000

• Requires exclusivity for a few months from the start date of the program

• Mandatory in-person attendance for residency curriculum

Surge

Surge is a seed accelerator led by Bangalore-based venture capital firm Peak XV, which focuses on investments across India, Southeast Asia, and beyond. The program targets global seed stage startups with a focus on AI, fintech, developer tools, consumer brands, and more. It provides up to S$4 million in seed stage funding and welcomes co-investment opportunities from other funds during this stage. Startups also have the chance to secure Series A funding upon completing Surge's 16-week accelerator program, which has a curriculum that covers business economics, product-market fit, go-to-market, and more.⁴

Pros

• Up to S$4 million in seed funding, with the potential to raise your next round upon program completion

• A dedicated seed investment advisor for your startup

• Open to co-investors from other funds

Cons

• Limited to seed stage startups

• Equity is decided on a company-by-company basis

Y Combinator

Y Combinator (YC) is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that offers three-month accelerator programs four times a year. Since 2005, YC has funded 5,000+ startups, including notable names like Airbnb, Dropbox, Stripe, Reddit, and Coinbase. The firm invests in startups at all stages, offering a standard funding of S$675,000 in exchange for a 7% equity stake.⁵ Its program includes office hours, networking opportunities with YC alumni and other startup founders, support for public launches, and more.

Pros

• Well-known and prestigious program

• Extensive network of alumni

• No program fees or board seat requirements

Cons

• Highly competitive application process

• Standard funding terms and equity stake may not be suitable for all startups

Entrepreneur First

Entrepreneur First (EF) is a London-based venture capital firm that runs full-time talent investment programs across Europe, Asia and North America, specialising in building tech companies. Unlike traditional incubators and accelerators, EF invests in individuals, before they have a startup, co-founder, or an idea. The two-part program is designed to help individuals find co-founders and develop their business ideas in the first 12 weeks, where all individuals will receive an equity-free Talent Investment of up to S$337,000 to support their living costs and relocation to San Francisco.⁶ At the end of the first 12 weeks, EF may invest another S$337,000 for an 8% equity stake if you decide to move on to the next part of the program. This next 12-week stage will be focused on building your idea into an early-stage startup and preparing you to raise your seed round on demo day.

Pros

• Open to individuals without a startup idea or co-founder

• Equity-free investment in the first 12 weeks

• Visa assistance relocation support to San Francisco

Cons

• Limited to individuals with technical background or solid understanding

• Not suitable for startups looking to join a traditional incubator or accelerator program

Other startup incubators and accelerators

• AlphaLab. A Pennsylvania-based startup accelerator with tracks in software, hardware, life sciences/healthcare, and robotics.

• Techstars. A global pre-seed venture capital firm that offers three-month accelerator programs with S$162,000 investment.

• Accelerating Asia. A pre-Series A venture capital accelerator with a focus on Southeast Asia and South Asia startups.

• SOSV. Offers pre-seed programs with VC investments for deep tech startups and opportunities for future seed and series A investments.

• StartupX. Pre-accelerator and accelerator programs for global sustainability startups, with no guaranteed VC funds.

• Block71. A joint initiative between the National University of Singapore (NUS) Enterprise, corporates, and government agencies, offering global incubators with periods of up to 3 years.

• SMU IIE. Singapore Management University (SMU) Institution of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Equity-free incubation program with a four-month coaching program, support from SMU faculty advisory board,, and funding opportunities.

• Tenity. Offers various pre-seed incubators and accelerators in 10+ cities, including Singapore, designed for early stage and growth stage companies.

• Apple Seed. A startup accelerator supported by SPRING Singapore, helping startups in go-to-market strategies, fundraising, and international expansion.

• Plug and Play Tech Center. A California-based VC firm offering accelerator programs designed to create business development opportunities with no equity requirements.

Alternatives to startup incubators and accelerators

While incubators and accelerators can offer valuable resources to startups, they may not be suitable for all startups. Incubators typically run over longer periods of time of up to two years, which may hold back fast-growing startups. On the other hand, accelerators often require a 7-10% equity stake and may push startups to scale at an unsustainable pace. For those seeking alternatives to these programs, here are a few startup fundraising options worth exploring:

• Venture capital (VC). Venture capital primarily focuses on direct financial investment, allowing founders to tailor the use of capital to their specific needs without the limitations of a standardised incubator or accelerator program. This makes it an ideal choice for startups that are ready to scale but prefer more autonomy in their growth strategy.

• Angel investors. These are wealthy individuals who provide early-stage funding to startups in exchange for equity or convertible debt. They are often successful entrepreneurs or retired business executives and can offer valuable mentorship and connections.

• Private funding. Some startups may choose to seek out financial investments made by private groups or firms. These investors usually provide funding in exchange for equity, debt repayment, or other agreed terms, with the expectation of seeing a return on their investment as the startup grows and succeeds.

• Government grants and loans. Many governments offer funding opportunities for startups, especially those focused on innovation and growth.

• Crowdfunding. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow startups to raise funds from a large number of individuals interested in supporting innovative ideas.

• Airwallex. Airwallex supports global startups with various dedicated programs, such as the Airwallex for Startups initiative, which helps startups to fast-track their growth, and the Airwallex Impact program, supporting company equity and the next generation of entrepreneurs.

How to stand out when applying to startup incubators and accelerators

Competition can be fierce when it comes to applying to startup incubators and accelerators. Here are five steps to increase your chances of being accepted into these programs.

Step 1: Review selection criteria

Carefully review the program's specific requirements, which can include the stage of your startup, industry focus, and founding team composition. By understanding these criteria, you can better tailor your application to showcase how your startup aligns with the program's goals and objectives.

Step 2: Submit your application

The application process for incubators and accelerators can vary, but it typically involves submitting a written application, business startup plan, and CVs of the founders.

Step 3: Pitch presentation

If your application is selected, you will likely be invited for a pitch presentation with the selection panel. This is your opportunity to showcase your business idea and accomplishments in a concise and compelling manner.

Step 4: Q&A

Many selection panels also include a Q&A session after the pitch presentation. Be prepared to answer questions about your business model, market potential, and growth strategy.

Step 5: Selection and orientation

If you are selected, congratulations! This is an exciting opportunity for your startup to gain valuable resources and support. You will likely be invited to attend the orientation day, where you will learn more about the program and meet your fellow cohort members.

Common pitfalls during applications

Here are some common pitfalls to avoid when applying to incubators and accelerators:

• Lack of research and preparation. Many applicants underestimate the time and effort required for a successful application. Take the time to carefully understand the program's specific focus area and tailor your application to their interest.

• Not highlighting the team. A strong and experienced team is a crucial factor for the success of any startup. Make sure to showcase your team's relevant skills, track record, and ability to execute the business plan in the application.

• Ineffective pitch deck. The pitch presentation is your chance to make a strong impression and convince the selection panel of your business idea's potential. Make sure to have a well-designed and concise pitch deck that effectively communicates your key points.

Simplify your startup’s financial operations with Airwallex 

Managing finances effectively is key to any business's success, especially for startups working in fast-paced, resource-limited environments. Airwallex offers an all-in-one financial operations solution, making it easy for you to manage your global payments efficiently. Businesses of all sizes can enjoy the following benefits:

• Multi-currency accounts. Instantly open accounts with local bank details in 23+ currencies in 60+ countries to help your business seamlessly expand internationally.

• Low to no-cost cross-border transfers. Send money to 150+ countries with 90% of transfers going through local payment rails and arriving within the same day.

• Business debit cards with unlimited 1% cashback. Create free multi-currency employee and company cards for your businessSaaS and marketing spend, such as SaaS subscriptions and digital ads.

• Global payroll. 

• Built-in Expense Management. Gain full visibility over company spending, reconcile corporate card expenses, and handle employee reimbursements all in one place.

Airwallex has also launched the Airwallex for Startups and Airwallex Impact programs, offering tailored financial tools and exclusive benefits to help your startup scale and succeed. Sign up today for a free Airwallex business account to accelerate your growth.

Frequently asked questions

1. Do startup incubators take equity in exchange for their services?

Some incubators provide resources and support in exchange for equity. Others offer equity-free assistance, though they typically do not provide funding.

2. Can startups join multiple incubators at the same time?

It depends on the specific incubator's policies and requirements. Some may allow it, while others may have exclusivity clauses that prevent startups from joining multiple programs simultaneously.

3. What criteria do incubators use to select startups for their programmes?

Incubators typically look for innovative and scalable business ideas, a strong team with relevant skills and experience, potential for growth and success, and a clear business plan. Some may also have specific industry or sector preferences.

4. Can a startup join an incubator if it is still in the ideation stage?

Yes, most incubators will accept startups in the ideation stage, while some may require a working prototype or early-stage traction. It is important to carefully review each incubator's requirements before applying.

Sources

1. https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/272-incubators-increase-small-business-success.html

2.  https://www.iterative.vc/what-happens-at-iterative

3.  https://www.antler.co/location/singapore

4.  https://surge.peakxv.com/how-it-works/ 

5.  https://www.ycombinator.com/about

6.  https://www.joinef.com/programs/

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