Why Singapore is a Great Location for Biomedical Startups
In recent years, Singapore has firmly established itself as a global hub for biomedical innovation. From cutting-edge biotech research to state-of-the-art manufacturing and precision medicine, the country’s biomedical ecosystem is thriving. For startups looking to make a mark in healthcare, life sciences, or biotechnology, Singapore is one of the most strategic and supportive places in the world to launch and grow a biomedical company.
But what really sets Singapore apart is the powerful combination of government support, robust infrastructure, world-class talent, and proximity to fast-growing Asian markets. In this article, we explore why biomedical startups should consider Singapore — and how government grants and initiatives can significantly lower the barriers to entry and speed up innovation.
1. Strong Government Commitment to Biomedical Sciences
Singapore’s transformation into a biomedical sciences powerhouse didn’t happen by chance. The government made a deliberate decision to invest in this sector through long-term planning, infrastructure development, and generous funding. The Biomedical Sciences Initiative, launched more than a decade ago, set the stage for the country’s current success.
Today, biomedical startups benefit directly from this forward-thinking approach. Government agencies such as Enterprise Singapore (ESG), A*STAR, EDB, and HSA actively support innovation in biomedical technologies, from early-stage R&D to product commercialisation.
Grants such as the Startup SG Tech grant are designed to help deep tech startups – including those in biomedical – develop innovative products. This grant helps fund the development of proprietary technology with high commercial potential, including medtech devices, diagnostics, and drug delivery systems.
2. R&D Infrastructure and Scientific Ecosystem
Singapore is home to some of the most advanced R&D infrastructure in Asia. Biomedical startups have access to research institutions like A*STAR’s Biopolis, Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore (NUS), and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). These institutions aren’t just doing research – they are actively collaborating with startups to bring ideas from lab to market.
What’s more, startups can tap into shared laboratories, core facilities, and advanced testing centres to accelerate their product development. These facilities reduce the need for upfront capital investment and allow biomedical founders to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure.
Startups can also make use of the Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-Up) scheme, which allows businesses to second experienced A*STAR researchers into their teams. This access to top-tier scientific talent gives small companies the muscle to punch above their weight in terms of R&D capabilities.
3. Access to Grants and Funding Support
Singapore has an extensive suite of grants and funding schemes tailored for innovation-driven startups, especially those in high-impact sectors like biomedical sciences.
The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) helps fund projects related to innovation, capability building, and internationalisation. For biomedical startups, this can mean support for clinical trials, quality certifications (like ISO13485), intellectual property strategy, and more.
Other key grant schemes include:
- Startup SG Equity: Where the government co-invests with private investors in innovative, high-growth startups.
- Health and Biomedical Sciences (HBMS) RIE initiatives: Providing research grants to support national biomedical priorities, such as ageing, infectious diseases, and chronic illnesses.
- Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG): Useful for adopting tech tools for lab management, operations, and regulatory documentation.
This landscape of financial support is designed to reduce the risks of biomedical innovation and encourage experimentation, iteration, and commercialisation.
4. Business-Friendly Environment and Regulatory Support
Singapore consistently ranks among the easiest places in the world to start and operate a business. For biomedical startups dealing with complex regulatory requirements, Singapore offers a clear and efficient regulatory environment.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) provides a transparent and internationally recognised framework for the approval of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostics. Singapore’s alignment with global standards such as ISO and FDA requirements makes it easier for startups to expand globally once they’re approved locally.
The government has also introduced regulatory sandboxes for healthtech solutions, allowing startups to test their innovations in real-world environments under a controlled setting. This is especially useful for digital health and AI-driven biomedical solutions that need real-world validation before mass deployment.
5. Talent Access and Workforce Development
Talent is the lifeblood of any biomedical startup, and Singapore has a strong pipeline of highly skilled professionals across medicine, engineering, biotech, and data science. The education system continuously produces job-ready graduates in the life sciences, and Singapore attracts global talent with its quality of life, safety, and openness.
Startups also benefit from grants and wage support schemes that reduce the cost of hiring local employees. Programmes such as:
- Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) and
- Career Conversion Programmes (CCP)
help biomedical startups scale teams by subsidising salaries and upskilling workers.
Additionally, the Tech.Pass and Employment Pass schemes make it relatively straightforward to bring in international experts, scientists, and senior researchers when needed.
6. Strategic Location and Market Access
Singapore’s location in the heart of Asia makes it an ideal base for biomedical companies looking to serve both developed and emerging markets. With fast-growing demand for healthcare in countries like China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, biomedical startups can easily expand regionally.
Singapore’s free trade agreements and strong IP protection further reinforce its role as a launchpad for global expansion. Biomedical products developed and approved in Singapore often gain credibility when entering overseas markets, thanks to the country’s strict but transparent regulatory standards.
The presence of regional HQs of global pharma, biotech, and medtech companies in Singapore also makes it easier for startups to build partnerships, supply chain relationships, or even exit opportunities through acquisition.
7. Innovation Clusters and Collaborative Ecosystem
Singapore’s biomedical innovation ecosystem is not just about infrastructure and funding — it’s about collaboration. The Biopolis and Tuas Biomedical Park bring together academia, startups, SMEs, and MNCs in the same physical spaces, creating an environment where ideas and people can connect.
Government-backed accelerators and incubators, such as those run by SGInnovate and ESG, play a vital role in bringing together investors, researchers, and founders. These platforms often organise innovation challenges, demo days, and pilot projects with hospitals and research centres.
For biomedical startups, this ecosystem is gold. It provides not just funding and mentorship, but also access to clinical partners, healthcare providers, and regulatory advisors — all under one roof.
8. Public Healthcare System as a Potential Partner
Singapore’s public healthcare system is world-class and highly integrated, making it a powerful partner for biomedical startups. Many new technologies, especially those focused on diagnostics, medical devices, or chronic disease management, can be piloted within public hospitals or polyclinics.
This is where government support again makes a difference. Startups that work on health-related solutions may be invited to participate in pilot programmes with public healthcare institutions, often with some level of funding support. This accelerates product validation and shortens the time from lab bench to bedside.
Final Thoughts
The biomedical sector is complex, capital-intensive, and heavily regulated — but also one of the most rewarding and impactful industries for startups to be in. For entrepreneurs who want to create innovative solutions in healthcare, diagnostics, biotech, or medical devices, Singapore offers an unbeatable combination of funding, infrastructure, and ecosystem support.
Whether you’re an early-stage founder developing a diagnostic kit, or a scaling biotech company commercialising a therapeutic innovation, Singapore provides the foundation and the lift to take your ideas global. With strong government grants, access to research talent, world-class R&D facilities, and a collaborative business environment, Singapore truly is one of the best places in the world to build a biomedical startup.