Weekend Musings from a Singapore Kopitiam

There are several reasons global start ups love Singapore, things work seamlessly, great infrastructure (just look at the DE or the TEL Line of the MRT) and the sheer availability of options. It is a substantial vantage point into the region, and has a significant density of talent as well. It is a place also where cost cutting does not work, as talent demands it’s fair share. Companies have moved across the border with cost considerations and the Johor-Singapore SEZ.

It needs a certain kind of appetite for start ups to find their feet in Singapore and the region. Not every start up has the stomach for Singapore, as the demands for innovation in line with the best along with the cost are unprecedented. Other countries in the region have affirmative action embedded in procurement, or need a local company partner for everything. Understand the local politics and language, read a book- i can send you a reading list. This is region of the Wayang Kulit, a lot of it is unsaid over Kopio.

As they say, Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast.