Eligibility for EntrePass
This work pass is intended for serial entrepreneurs, high-calibre innovators or experienced investors that want to operate a business in Singapore that is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies.
Who is eligible
EntrePass is open to all nationalities/citizenships.
You can apply for an EntrePass if you meet both conditions:
- Have started, or intend to start, a private limited company that is:
- Registered with ACRA (Pass holder must hold at least 30% of registered company)
- Venture-backed or owns innovative technologies.
- Meet at least one of the following criteria:
You have raised at least SGD 100,000 from a single funding round from investors for any past or current business.
Examples of eligible investors include:
- SEEDS Capital
- Vertex Ventures
- Partners under Enterprise Singapore's Startup SG Equity (SSGE) Programme
- Internationally renowned Venture Capital (VC) firms, corporates, business angels, etc
The business is or will be supported by an incubator or accelerator that is either:
- Government-recognised
- Internationally renowned
Examples of eligible investors include:
- Partners under Enterprise Singapore’s Startup SG Accelerator (SSGA) or Startup SG Founder (SSGF) programmes
- Internationally renowned incubators or accelerators such as Y-Combinator, MassChallenge, Alchemist Accelerator, etc.
You have founded and sold a business that is venture-backed or owns innovative technologies.
You must show all the following:
| Requirement | Examples of supporting documents |
| You founded the business |
|
| The business is or was venture-backed or owns innovative technologies | Company’s business plan |
| The business was sold under your management | A Sale and Purchase Agreement indicating your name and information |
The registered business or proposed business holds Intellectual Property (IP) that is registered with an approved national IP institution.
The IP must provide significant competitive advantage which cannot be easily replicated to the business.
The business has a relevant ongoing research collaboration in Singapore with at least one of the following:
- Institute of Higher Learning (IHL)
- Research Institution (RI)
Examples of eligible IHLs and RIs include:
- IHLs as listed by the Immigrations & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
- RIs under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
- Universities and institutions under the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE)
Requirements
The research collaboration must:
- Have your involvement
- Be related to the business
- Be verified by a contact person from the institution
Businesses that are not eligible
The following businesses are not eligible for an EntrePass:
- Coffee shops, hawker centres, food courts
- Bars, night clubs, karaoke lounges
- Foot reflexology, massage parlours
- Acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, herbal dispensing businesses
- Employment agencies
- Geomancy business
Successful applicants are encouraged to contribute to the local startup ecosystem through activities such as:
- Hosting or speaking at workshops or webinars
- Organising deal-making or networking sessions
- Providing mentorship for other startups.
Enterprise Singapore, which works with MOM to evaluate EntrePass applications, may also contact EntrePass holders periodically for engagement and audit purposes.