Singapore takes 9th spot in global start-up ecosystem ranking

The city state's startup ecosystem was valued at $185b.

Singapore ranked ninth place in a global start-up ecosystem ranking in 2025.

According to Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 by Startup Genome, the city-state’s startup ecosystem was valued at $185b (US$144b) between the second half of 2022 and 2024, far exceeding the global average of $26.15b (US$20.4b).

Early-stage funding over the same period reached (US$4.4b), compared to the global average of $660m (US$514.8m).

The report said that Singapore’s innovation ecosystem is anchored by its Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) plan, backed by $18.9b in public R&D investment from 2021 to 2025.

In 2024, the government added $2.27b to boost advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and the digital economy.

To scale Deep Tech startups, Singapore expanded its co-investment fund to more than $757m and established partnerships with venture builders such as Founders Factory, Kreo Venture, and Xora Innovation.

The Global Innovation Alliance has helped over 600 startups expand into 24 cities and supported R&D collaboration with more than 40 countries.

Corporate-startup collaboration is driven by the Open Innovation Network, which includes challenges focused on AI and sustainability.

Singapore also hosts major innovation events, including SWITCH, which drew more than 20,000 attendees in 2024, and SLINGSHOT, which attracted over 5,500 startups from 150 countries.

In the life sciences sector, local companies like Lucence and KYAN announced partnerships with Mayo Clinic in 2025 to expand into the U.S., whilst cancer therapeutics startup Callio Therapeutics raised US$187m.

The $785 Geneo hub at Singapore Science Park, featuring 80,000 sqm dedicated to biomedical R&D, is now operational. In AI, Singapore has invested more than $1b in infrastructure and talent, supported by partnerships with Google, AWS, and NVIDIA, and 26 AI Centres of Excellence.

The government aims to accelerate AI adoption across industries by working with 100 leading corporates.

Singapore is also advancing climate tech through partnerships with Temasek and Breakthrough Energy to scale renewable energy innovation across Southeast Asia.

Recent developments include the launch of Sustainable Energy of Singapore DigiLeap, an AI-powered marketplace, and Aether Fuels, a sustainable fuel startup that raised over US$40m from global investors.

The report noted that Singapore remains a top destination for startups due to its strong funding ecosystem, ease of doing business, and access to talent.

The country is home to more than 510 VC firms, 220 incubators, and 4,500 tech startups. Its pro-business environment includes clear regulations, tax incentives, and startup-focused platforms like Stage One.

With over 40 percent of the workforce holding a university degree and global talent schemes like ONEPass and EntrePass, Singapore continues to attract top entrepreneurs and investors looking to scale across Asia.