A sharing session by the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) on Singapore's startup ecosystem, programmes and grants.

1. ACE Public Briefing
Startup ecosystem, programmes & grants

2. Agenda
• About ACE
• Programmes
• Startup SG

3. About ACE
© Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) Limited

4. We are a national private sector-led
organisation that drives entrepreneurship
• Support over 5000 tech startups in Singapore
• Provide access to 25,000 startups across 15 cities
• Represent community of 800 startups in the LaunchPad
• Previous patrons include Mr Raymond Lim, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Mr Li Yi Shyan and Mr Teo Ser Luck
2003 2014 2016
Launched by MTI to
transform entrepreneurial
landscape in SG
Re-launched as lead
private sector non-profit
organisation
Senior Minister of State,
MTI, Dr Koh Poh Koon,
became ACE Patron

5. ACE enables an impactful connected hub for
innovation, startups, enterprises and talents
Avenue for
Company
Expansion
Access Hub for
Connected
Ecosystems
Accelerated
Co-innovation
Enabler
1
32
Connectedness
Allow startups to tap on a
diverse pool of talent,
technology and ideas
Expansion
Assist companies with
market expansion and
scaling efforts locally
and worldwide
Innovation
Facilitate co-innovation
between enterprises
and startups for
technology adoption

6. Regional Innovation Hub: 25K startups 15 cities
• A one-stop Open Innovation Platform providing corporates, SMEs and startups
with the network, resources and capabilities to drive co-innovation
• Connected to other innovation partners and ecosystems in the region to tap on
cross-border innovation opportunities
• Key innovation partners:

7. Largest SG facilitated connected hub
• Key partners in ASEAN
• Key partners beyond ASEAN

8. • Grants & workshops
• Learning journey
• Mentorship/BACECAMP
• Co-working space
• Youth Wing, EDGE
ACE supports startups across all stages by
building a dynamic & sustainable ecosystem
• Market access
• Business matching and
targeted connections
• Startup exchange and
business missions
• Overseas expansion
clinics
• Corporate innovation
• Investor network
• SME Talent Programme
• Startup Career Fair
Ideation
ConceiveProblem
Statement
Acceleration
Build Minimal
Viable Product
Expansion
Market
Growth
Incubation
Develop
Traction
SOARSCALESTART

9. • Dubbed by The
Economist as “the
world’s most tightly
packed
entrepreneurial
ecosystem”
• 800 startups,
accelerators and
VCs falls within ACE
community
JTC LaunchPad @ one-north
Blk 67
ACE International Centre
ACE Robotics Centre
ACE Ideation Centre
Blk 71
Blk 73 Blk 75
Blk 77 Blk 81Blk 79

10. ACE Ideation Centre
• $40-80/h
Rental: space@ace.org.sg
Facilities include hall, co-working space and
meeting rooms
Meeting rooms
• $15-20/h
Co-working space
• Blk 79: $180-240/month
• Blk 67: $300/month

11. Startup Programmes
© Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) Limited

12. • Digital Transformation Exchange
• Dell, KPMG
• Finlab, Fintech Association
• Workshops & consultations
• Legal
• Corporate innovation
challenge
• The Coca-Cola Company
• Structured mentorship
• BACECAMP
ACE facilitates and accelerates innovation
between enterprises and startups

13. • Startup Career Fair
• Career speed dating
• Employment trend
discussion
• 2000 attendees, 200
startups & 550 jobs (2 runs)
• bit.ly/acescf2019
• Conduct HR workshops
• Engage IHLs and youths
• Support intern hiring with
70% stipend
ACE conducts various startup career events
and administers the Startup Talent Programme

14. • Incorporation advisory
• Country insights sharing
• Connection to overseas
partners
• Market Access Programme
• Targeted business
meetings
• Demo day pitch
• Master classes and
mentorships
ACE International Centre is a dedicated one-
stop centre for startup internationalisation

15. • Investor Network
• Panel sessions by angels
• Pitch to angels and VCs
• Host delegation visits
• Co-organise
international events
ACE partners with investor networks and
international delegates for deal flows

16. ACE Startups membership provides resources
for startups from an extensive list of partners
Eligibility
• Startups: incorporated < 5 years AND annual sales < S$1M
• Associates: incorporated > 5 years OR annual sales > S$1M
Application: tinyurl.com/ACEstartups (requires ACRA)
Confirmation of membership within 2 weeks

17. Startup SG Programme
© Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) Limited

18. Startup SG programme

19. More info: ssg.startupsg.net
8 programmes from Startup SG; target startups
Grant Target Aim
Startup SG Founder Startup Mentorship and startup capital to first-time
entrepreneurs
Startup SG Tech Startup Early-stage funding for commercialisation
of tech ideas
Startup SG Equity Startup Catalysing equity investments for startups
Startup SG Accelerator Accelerator /
Incubator
Enhancing capabilities of accelerators and
incubators
Startup SG Talent Startup Fostering a conducive environment for
talent to shine
Startup SG Infrastructure Startup Providing startups with the space to grow
Startup SG Investor Investor Incentivising investors
Startup SG Loan Startup Financing startups

20. 1. Startup SG Founder
Aim: Mentorship and startup capital grant to first-time entrepreneurs
Grant: $3 for every $1 (3:1 paid up capital), up to S$30K (two tranches)
Application:
ACE: bacecamp.ace.org.sg (0% equity, 1% pledge)
Other AMP: startupsg.net/startupsg-founder – take note of investment and equity
Eligibility
• Singaporeans/PR who are first-time
entrepreneurs (neither incorporated
nor received other grants) with equity
> 30%
• Company incorporated < 6 months
and local shareholding > 51%
Evaluation
• Uniqueness of business concept
• Feasibility of business model
• Potential market value
• Strength of management team
• All co-founders must commit full-time
when accepting the grant

21. BACECAMP for SSG Founder (compulsory)
• Intensive one-month programme (8 full-day sessions) for early-stage startups and
first-time entrepreneurs
• Promising startups will be selected to pitch to grant evaluators or angel investors
• Preference for teams with full-time co-founders and technical talent
Gain Insights
From subject matter
experts in the essential
areas of entrepreneurship
Access Resources
From ACE’s network of
partners and potential
customers
Be Mentored
By experienced business
leaders and successful
entrepreneurs

22. BACECAMP partners & benefits

23. • Started in 2014 and supported by
over 900 VC and accelerator
communities
• Main applicant (not startup) pledge
to share 1% of the net proceeds of
company to ACE at the point of sale
(eg M&A, IPO)
• Support startups with resources and
mentorship, promoting the
sustainability of startup community
More info: pledge1percent.org
Pledge 1% with ACE is a corporate social
movement

24. Startup SG Founder & BACECAMP application
process
• Apply to BACECAMP Opens every quarter
• Attend BACECAMP 4 weeks
• Evaluation Panel Review Last week of BACECAMP
• ESG Review 4 weeks
• Accept offer & pledge 1% 1 week
• First 15K disbursement 2 weeks
• Second 15K disbursement Hit milestones within a year
Application: bacecamp.ace.org.sg
Batch 4 schedule: 2-25 Jul | Applications open 6 May

25. 2. Startup SG Tech
Aim: Early-stage funding for commercialisation of tech ideas
Grant: Proof of Concept (POC)
Up to S$250K, 10:1 paid up capital
Proof of Value (POV)
Up to S$500K, 5:1 paid up capital
Eligibility
• Company
• Incorporated < 5 years, core activities in Singapore
• Local shareholding > 30%
• Group annual sales < S$100M or group employment size < 200
• Sectors
• Advanced Manufacturing / Robotics Clean Tech ICT
• Biomedical Sciences & Healthcare Food Science & Tech
• Precision Engineering Transport Engineering
Concept done: prove science/tech viability POC done: validate commercial merit

26. 2. Startup SG Tech (con’t)
Aim: Early-stage funding for commercialisation of tech ideas
Grant:
Application: startupsg.net/startupsg-tech
Proof of Concept (POC)
Up to S$250K, 10:1 paid up capital
Proof of Value (POV)
Up to S$500K, 5:1 paid up capital
Evaluation
• Clearly demonstrate how science/tech is applied
• Be of a breakthrough level of innovation
• Lead to or build on proprietary know-how/IP
• Be commercially viable
• Innovative science/tech concept
• Demonstrate entrepreneurial commitment
• Demonstrate proof-of-interest from a
potential customer or 3rd party investor
• Demonstrate business competencies

27. 3. Startup SG Equity
Aim: Catalysing equity investments
Grant: General tech Deep tech
Up to S$2M Up to S$4M
7:3 up to S$250K 7:3 up to S$500K
1:1 thereafter 1:1 thereafter
Eligibility
Application: startupsg.net/startupsg-equity
• Company
• Incorporated < 5 years
• Core activities in SG
• Paid-up capital > S$50K
• Cannot be a subsidiary or joint-venture
• Identified ready, independent third-
party investor(s)
• Third-party investor
• Contribute to the startup’s growth
(possess management experience,
business contacts, technical expertise)
• Prepared to invest > S$50K
• Should not hold prior shares in the
startup
Evaluation
• USP of product/service
• Substantial innovative and
intellectual content
• Business roadmap (high
growth + overseas)

28. 4. Startup SG Talent
Aim: Fostering a conducive environment for talent to shine
Grant: EntrePass
Allows eligible foreigners
to start and operate a
new business in SG
SME Talent
Programme (STP)
70% subsidy of stipend
paid to SG/PR intern
Technology for Enterprise
Capability Upgrading (T-UP)
70% subsidy when hiring
scientist or engineer
Eligibility
• Local shareholding > 30% and tech
based
• Incorporated in SG and < 5 years old
• Other corporate entity < 50% shares
• Pay min stipend (4:1 hiring ratio)
• SG/PR intern must be from approved
IHL (ITE, Polytechnic and University)
• Create quality experience for intern
• Possess good HR practices
• Attend HR Capability Workshop ($168)
Evaluation
Monthly stipend Eligible grant support
ITE 800 560
Polytechnic 800 560
University 1000 700

29. HR capability workshop for Startup SG Talent
(highly recommended)
• Startups will be introduced to domain knowledge and critical skills in HR
management
• Topics such as recruitment, retention and talent development
• For founders and managers to enhance HR capabilities and create a vibrant work
environment
• Early bird (2 weeks before): $168 | Usual: $199
Application:
SME Talent Programme (STP): ace.org.sg/programmes/start/startupsg-talent
EntrePass & T-UP: startupsg.net/startupsg-talent

30. Summary of Startup SG covered
Grant Amount Paid-up capital Local shares Incorporate Other conditions
Startup SG
Founder
30K 3:1 > 51% < 6 months • First-time local/PR
entrepreneurs
• Owns > 30% equity
Startup SG Tech
POC
POV
250K
500K
10:1
5:1
> 30% &
core in SG
< 5 years
• Annual sales < S$100M
or employees < 200
• Tech sector
Startup SG Equity
General tech
Deep tech
2M
4M
> S$50K
7:3 up to 250/500K,
1:1 thereafter
Nil but
core in SG
< 5 years
• Ready investor
• Cannot be a
subsidiary or joint-
venture
Startup SG Talent
SME Talent
Programme
70%
subsidy
Nil > 30% < 5 years
• Other corporate
entity < 50% shares

31. Enquiries
© Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) Limited
ACE
Innovation & programmes gerald@ace.org.sg
General inquiry info@ace.org.sg
Internationalisation aceic@ace.org.sg
Facilities booking space@ace.org.sg
Grants
Startup SG Founder bacecamp.ace.org.sg
SME Talent Programme ace.org.sg/programmes/start/startupsg-talent
Other grants ssg.startupsg.net
Others
SME centres smeportal.sg
JTC Launchpad rental launchpad@jtc.gov.sg
Slide deck tiny.cc/aceshare

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