Singapore companies target India growth via Bengaluru

India’s tech capital is home to a thriving startup ecosystem.

Singapore companies are increasingly anchoring their India strategies in cities that combine scale, deep talent pools and strong execution capacity, with Bengaluru emerging as a focal point for sustained market entry rather than short-term experimentation.

“Bengaluru is India’s technology and innovation capital, home to a thriving startup ecosystem and strong clusters in manufacturing, IT (information technology) and services,” Samantha Teo, executive director of the International Business Division at the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), told Singapore Business Review.

“It offers Singapore businesses direct access to some of India’s most vibrant business networks and a conducive environment for collaboration in advanced manufacturing, digital innovation, renewable energy, and health and wellness,” she added.

The federation has moved to institutionalise how Singapore companies enter India, positioning Bengaluru as the anchor for a more deliberate and execution-led expansion strategy.

As interest from Singapore firms in India grows, SBF’s launch of the Singapore Enterprise Centre at Bengaluru (SEC@Bengaluru) marks a shift from ad hoc support to a dedicated platform for market entry and long-term growth.

“SEC@Bengaluru places SBF at the heart of a city that shares Singapore’s innovation-driven outlook, making it an ideal base for companies looking to scale sustainably and forge long-term partnerships,” Teo said in an emailed reply to questions.

SBF earlier said Singapore has been India’s biggest source of foreign direct investment for the seventh straight year, whilst business enquiries related to India increased from 2023 to 2025. In response, SEC@Bengaluru expects to engage more than 470 companies in the next two years through business missions, roundtables, seminars and capability-building programmes.

SBF launched the centre in Bengaluru in November 2025 with senior government representation from Singapore, India and the state of Karnataka, reinforcing institutional support for deeper bilateral business engagement.

The federation said the centre would also help companies navigate trade frameworks such as the India–Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)–India Free Trade Area (AIFTA).

The centre is SBF’s fourth Singapore Enterprise Centre globally and its first outside Southeast Asia. It operates under the GlobalConnect@SBF initiative supported by Enterprise Singapore and focuses on helping Singapore businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, as they establish and scale operations in India.

Whilst Bengaluru hosts numerous private market-entry firms, SBF has positioned SEC@Bengaluru as a government-anchored alternative focused on execution rather than promotion.

The centre links policy access with local networks, giving companies clearer guidance on regulations, operations, and partnerships.

“The centre prioritises business matching in high-growth sectors using live enquiry data, industry partner inputs, and strategic alignment with CECA and AIFTA to maximise conversion potential,” Teo said.

SBF said SEC@Bengaluru provides integrated support across the market-entry and growth journey. On-the-ground advisers provide regulatory guidance, help with incorporation, and business matching, with continued support on banking, hiring, fundraising, and operations.

Teo said near-term opportunities include growth in e-commerce and digital payments, strong B2B innovation from startups, and rising demand for smart and sustainable urban solutions.

Whilst Bengaluru anchors SBF’s India plans, the group is weighing expansion to other cities based on demand and sector potential. Over the next two years, it expects the centre to support cross-border investment, partnerships and long-term business activity.