Best Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Singapore 2025

You have a dream, but the challenges of navigating a new business are holding you back. Startup incubators help shape your vision into a successful venture. But where do you start, and who can you trust?

This guide helps you find the best startup incubators and accelerators tailored to your business’s specific needs. We will explore the role of startup incubators and accelerators in Singapore's business ecosystem, explain what these programmes are, how they differ, and their potential benefits and drawbacks for new businesses. You will also find a list of top startup programmes available in Singapore to help founders like you develop their business ideas, find market fit, and scale their business.

We will also cover how you can launch your startup on the right footing with a Wise Business multicurrency account, which helps you manage your funds in multiple currencies with fewer hidden fees and no hidden exchange rate markups.

Table of contents
How do startup accelerators and incubators in Singapore help execute your vision? Startup incubator vs accelerator: which is right for you? Advantages and disadvantages of joining an incubator Top startup incubators and accelerators in Singapore How to apply and get accepted into an incubator programme?

How do startup accelerators and incubators in Singapore help execute your vision?

What is a startup incubator?

A startup incubator is a programme that helps early-stage businesses go from ideation to early launch. Incubator programmes focus on validating business models, developing products or services, and finding product-market fit.

Startup founders can expect to receive support and guidance in developing their business plans, mentorship, networking opportunities, and other valuable resources, including office space, investment connections, and funding opportunities.

The process typically takes months to years. Unlike angel investors or seed funders, startup incubators usually do not provide funding or take equity in the company.

If you’re looking for funding, you’ll find our guide to Singapore’s Startup Grants handy.

What is a startup accelerator?

A startup accelerator is a short-term programme that focuses on rapid growth within a condensed period, helping startups refine their product, expand their customer base, and prepare for larger fundraising rounds.

Unlike incubators, accelerators typically work with startups that already have a product in the market and early traction.

Founders in an accelerator can expect intensive mentorship, structured guidance, networking opportunities, and often seed funding in exchange for a share of equity. Programmes usually run on a fixed timeline, typically three to six months, and conclude with a Demo Day, where startups pitch their businesses to potential investors.

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Startup incubator vs accelerator: which is right for you?

If you’re new to the scene, incubators and accelerators may sound confusing to you. Here are some considerations when deciding if an incubator or accelerator better suits your needs¹:

1. Stage of business: Incubators support very early-stage ideas, while accelerators work with startups that already have a product and traction.
2. Duration: Incubators run for months or years and may take on new startups on a rolling basis, while accelerators are short, fixed programmes of three to six months.
3. Goals: Incubators nurture ideas and validate business models; accelerators drive rapid growth and fundraising.
4. Support: Incubators provide space, mentorship, and networks; accelerators add intensive guidance and direct investor access.
5. Funding: Incubators rarely invest directly; accelerators usually provide seed capital in exchange for equity.
6. Outcome: Incubators help founders launch sustainably; accelerators prepare startups for scaling and investor pitches.

If you are a first-time entrepreneur, the Startup SG Founder Grant could help you to fulfil your vision.

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Advantages and disadvantages of joining an incubator

What are the benefits for startups?

Joining an incubator programme gives you access to:

• Structured guidance and networking: Being part of an incubator connects you with experienced mentors and advisors who can offer practical guidance and industry insight. Incubators also foster a collaborative environment where you get to meet fellow entrepreneurs and potential partners.
• Resources that help you succeed: Access to resources such as a shared office space, equipment, legal and accounting assistance, and administrative support can go a long way in cutting startup costs and freeing your focus for core development.
• Preparation that sets you up for the long game: Incubators allow you to work on your business foundations, improve your pitching techniques and give you the portfolio and skill set to secure future funding.

What are the potential drawbacks?

While startup incubators provide valuable support, they also come with certain drawbacks, such as:

• Limited options: Incubators may have a limited focus on specific industries, and you may not be able to find one that fits your business perfectly.
• Time commitment: Incubators are essentially startup communities, hence you may be required to set aside time to participate in programme activities.
• Limited duration and possible loss of momentum: Programmes have a set duration and may end before a startup is fully developed.
• Equity: Some incubators may require startups to give up equity in their company.

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Top startup incubators and accelerators in Singapore

Here is a list of the best startup incubators and accelerators in Singapore that could help you fulfil your entrepreneurial dreams.

Global programmes with a strong Singapore presence

Antler

Antler is an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Singapore, with a global presence². It offers a founder residency programme where startups can receive support, coaching and access to a community of entrepreneurs³, in exchange for equity and funding at the end of the residency term.

Entrepreneur First (EF)

Entrepreneur First is a venture capital firm that invests in talent across the globe. EF focuses on helping individuals and aspiring founders to develop their business ideas and connecting them to a network of peers, investors and the startup scene in Silicon Valley⁴.

Y Combinator (YC)

Y Combinator is a technology startup accelerator and venture capital firm known for its star-studded portfolio of iconic startups, which include Airbnb, Coinbase, Stripe, and many more. Y Combinator’s accelerator programme lasts three months and comes with funding of $500,000 in return for equity⁵.

Techstars

Techstars is a global pre-seed venture capital firm that offers a structured, mentorship-driven three-month accelerator programme across various sectors. The firm may invest in selected startups in exchange for equity⁶.

Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley⁷ that connects startups with corporations through customised industry-specific accelerator programmes without equity requirements⁸. Plug and Play’s accelerator programme lasts three months and focuses on helping startups generate business development opportunities and deal flows.

Local and region-focused programmes

Iterative

Iterative is a Singapore-based venture capital firm that runs two three-month accelerator programmes every year, focusing on helping early-stage founders in Southeast Asia. Iterative offers funding between USD 150,000 and USD 500,000 in return for approximately 10-15% of equity⁹.

BLOCK71

BLOCK71 is an initiative by NUS Enterprise that helps global technology startups foster collaborations and strategic partnerships and gain access to new markets¹⁰. BLOCK71 offers both incubator and accelerator programmes to help early-stage startups aiming to scale regionally or globally.

Accelerating Asia

Accelerating Asia is a venture capital firm with a focus on helping high-growth, pre-Series A startups in Southeast and South Asia. Accelerating Asia runs a 100-day accelerator programme where eligible startups may receive up to US250,000 in funding, in exchange for equity¹¹.

Surge

Surge is a 16-week mentor-driven accelerator by Peak XV Partners, with a focus on technology startups in India and Southeast Asia, offering up to USD 3 million in seed funding¹².

SMU IIE

SMU IIE is an initiative by Singapore Management University that runs the Business Innovations Generator (BIG), an equity-free incubation programme with access to faculty advisors¹³.

If your startup serves clients within the region, you will need a solution to receive and send payments to overseas clients, partners and suppliers across multiple currencies. The costs of these transactions can add up over time and eat into your capital.

💡Wise Business could be a better alternative business account as you can hold, send, receive and exchange 40+ currencies all in one place. You’ll always get the mid-market rate with low, transparent fees. Even better, you can connect Wise Business cards to your account to control team spending in real time and reduce admin.

• Hold and manage 40+ currencies for all your international transactions.
• Pay foreign currency bills and ad-hoc business travel expenses using the Wise Business card without hefty foreign transaction fees.
• Get your first Wise Business card for free when you open a Wise Business account.
• Always get the mid-market rate with transparent conversion fees starting from 0.26%.
• Seamless integrations with popular accounting software.

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How to apply and get accepted into an incubator programme?

Key steps in the application process

1. Research: Identify incubator programmes that align with your industry, stage of growth, and long-term goals.
2. Prepare your application: Craft a detailed business plan, founder CVs and prepare supporting documents as required by the incubator.
3. Build a strong pitch deck: Highlight your business idea, market opportunity, traction, and growth potential clearly.
4. Get ready for interviews: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your business model, financials, and strategy.
5. Attend orientation: If accepted, make sure to join the orientation so that you can meet your cohort, mentors, and understand how the programme works.

Common mistakes to avoid in your application

• Generic applications: Submitting the same materials everywhere without tailoring them to the programme’s focus or industry.
• Overlooking your team’s strengths: Failing to highlight the relevant skills, experience, and commitment of the founding team.
• Weak pitch deck: Presenting unclear slides, poorly designed, or not effectively communicating your business potential.
• Unclear business model: Lacking clarity on your target market, revenue streams, or long-term growth opportunity.

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Conclusion

Startup incubators and accelerators can open doors to mentorship, resources, and even funding, but they also demand time and commitment. Aspiring business owners can take heart in the fact that Singapore’s startup scene is buzzing with programmes for different industries and stages of growth. The trick is to find the one that fits both where you are now and where you want to go. We hope this guide serves as a starting point toward finding the right match for your startup journey.

💡Startups with limited capital and a tight budget should shrewdly manage their costs and optimise their payment workflows, so that resources can be allocated to what truly matters: growth.
Wise Business helps reduce unnecessary costs by ensuring that you will always get mid-market rates with transparent conversion fees. You can also easily manage multiple currencies within one consolidated account, and easily track all business transactions by integrating with any popular accounting software.

➡️ Get Started with Wise Business today

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Sources:

1. Startup Incubator vs. Accelerator | Harvard Business School
2. About Antler
3. Antler Residency Program
4. About Us | Entrepreneurs First
5. About Y Combinator
6. About Techstars
7. About Plug And Play
8. Startup Accelerator | Plug and Play
9. What happens at Iterative
10. BLOCK71 Origins & Impact
11. Startups | Accelerating Asia Ventures
12. How it works | Surge
13. Business Innovations Generator (BIG) | SMU IIE

Sources checked on: 12 Sep 2025