Country guide · SGD (S$)
20 business ideas in Singapore
TL;DR
Singapore is a compact, wealthy, highly digital island where small businesses succeed through convenience, quality and niche focus. With very high rents and strict food and licensing rules, the best low-cost ideas are online, home-based, service-led or built around HDB neighbourhoods and condo communities. A sole proprietorship or company is registered online with ACRA in a short time, and PayNow makes payment collection easy.
The market in Singapore
Singapore’s population is dense, affluent and busy, so convenience sells. Most residents live in public HDB flats or condominiums, which makes lift-lobby distribution, resident Telegram groups and condo Facebook pages efficient marketing channels. PayNow, GrabPay, NETS and credit cards are common, and Shopee, Lazada, Carousell, Amazon.sg and Qoo10 give sellers a quick route to customers. Grab, foodpanda and Deliveroo handle delivery.
Space is the main constraint. Rents are high, so many businesses begin online, in shared kitchens, in co-working spaces or in home-based settings where rules allow. Food businesses must be licensed by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), and home-based food sales are restricted to certain conditions. Hawker centres and pop-up markets give new food brands a cheaper test ground.
The population is ageing, with strong demand for eldercare, health, tuition and wellness. Education is a serious priority, with strong spending on enrichment, tuition and exam prep. Tourism and business travel support events, tours and short-stay hospitality, although short-term rental rules are strict for private and public housing.
The climate is hot and humid year-round with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, so cooling, cleaning and indoor activities fit the lifestyle. There is no capital gains tax, and Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration becomes mandatory above the annual turnover threshold. Foreigners can set up companies, but need a local resident director and suitable work passes.
Best businesses to start in Singapore
01Home-baked cakes and pastries (with SFA compliance)
S$800–S$6,000Custom cakes for birthdays and baby showers sell well through Instagram and Carousell. Home-based sales are restricted, so check SFA conditions or rent a shared kitchen before taking orders.
02Cloud kitchen on GrabFood and Deliveroo
S$8,000–S$40,000Shared kitchen space in industrial estates lets you serve the whole island without a storefront. Test a single-concept menu such as Hainanese chicken rice or plant-based bowls before scaling.
Full launch plan →03Meal prep for office workers and gyms
S$5,000–S$25,000Health-conscious professionals pay for portion-controlled meals delivered to office lobbies. Partner with gyms and co-working spaces, and ensure kitchen licensing is clear.
Full launch plan →04Bubble tea or specialty drinks kiosk
S$15,000–S$80,000Singaporeans love trendy drinks, and rotating limited flavours drive queues. High mall rents mean pop-ups, food court stalls or delivery-only models are safer starting points.
Full launch plan →05Homestyle sauces and snacks sold via Shopee and Carousell
S$3,000–S$20,000Chilli crab sauce, kaya and bak kwa-style snacks suit gifting and tourist souvenirs. Packaged food needs SFA labelling compliance, so confirm registration requirements first.
Full launch plan →06Home and condo cleaning services
S$1,000–S$6,000Dual-income households outsource cleaning, and condo residents book regular sessions. Marketplace apps can bring first clients, but direct clients build better margins.
Full launch plan →07Aircon servicing and chemical wash
S$3,000–S$15,000Air conditioners run daily in the heat, and servicing is frequent. Install technicians must meet Singapore’s requirements, so check the Building and Construction Authority and energy regulations before offering installation.
08Laundry pickup and delivery for HDB estates
S$5,000–S$30,000Small flats and busy schedules make laundry delivery appealing. Offer wash, fold and pickup from the void deck or the door, and watch cost per kilometre on delivery.
Full launch plan →09Handyman and furniture assembly
S$500–S$3,000New BTO owners and condo renters need help assembling IKEA furniture and fixing small items. Join Facebook community groups and be clear about what regulated renovation works you cannot do.
Full launch plan →10Tuition and enrichment for primary and secondary students
S$500–S$12,000Spending on tuition is high, with PSLE, O-level and A-level preparation in demand. Check Ministry of Education requirements for registering an enrichment centre if you run classes on premises.
11Kids coding and robotics classes
S$2,000–S$15,000Parents like STEM enrichment, and small-group classes in tuition centres or community clubs sell well. Use a clear curriculum and show projects at the end of each term.
Full launch plan →12Music lessons for children and adults
S$1,000–S$8,000Piano, violin and ukulele lessons are popular, and many teachers work from home studios or rented rooms. Grade exam preparation with ABRSM keeps students committed.
Full launch plan →13Eldercare companionship and errand service
S$2,000–S$15,000Singapore’s ageing population and small family sizes create demand for visits, escort to appointments and light help. Anything involving nursing or personal care may fall under Ministry of Health licensing, so check first.
Full launch plan →14Pet sitting and dog walking in condos
S$300–S$3,000Pet ownership is rising, but HDB rules limit what animals can be kept, so many owners rely on sitters. Follow National Parks Board licensing and dog-related regulations.
Full launch plan →15Online store for local brands via Shopify and Shopee
S$1,000–S$10,000Local lifestyle products, skincare and gifts do well with Singaporeans and tourists. Use local courier partners such as Ninja Van and SingPost for last-mile delivery.
16Skincare or fragrance brand with contract manufacturing
S$8,000–S$50,000Consumers are brand-aware and willing to pay for quality. Cosmetic products must be notified to the Health Sciences Authority before sale, so check their requirements.
Full launch plan →17Freelance design, copywriting and marketing for SMEs
S$300–S$3,000Singapore’s large SME base and regional headquarters offices hire freelancers. Government grants for digital adoption can help clients afford your services.
Full launch plan →18Corporate wellness workshops
S$500–S$5,000Employers organise lunch-and-learns on stress, posture and nutrition. Package a one-hour session that HR can book without fuss.
Full launch plan →19Local walking tours and food trails
S$500–S$5,000Visitors enjoy heritage walks through Chinatown, Kampong Gelam and Little India, and food tours around hawker centres. Tour guides need a Singapore Tourism Board licence for some formats.
Full launch plan →20Event photo booth and balloon decor
S$2,000–S$10,000Corporate dinners, birthdays and baby full-month celebrations drive repeat orders. Combine a booth and balloon backdrop as a bundle for easier selling.
Full launch plan →
How to start a business in Singapore
- 1
Choose a business structure
Common choices are a sole proprietorship, partnership or private limited company. A sole proprietorship is cheapest and fastest, while a company offers limited liability. Compare options on the ACRA site.
- 2
Register with ACRA
The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority handles registration through the BizFile+ portal. Reserve a name, register your business or company and note your Unique Entity Number (UEN). Confirm current fees with ACRA.
- 3
Meet local director and address requirements
A company needs at least one ordinarily resident director and a registered local address. Foreign founders should check the rules with ACRA and the Ministry of Manpower regarding work passes.
- 4
Apply for licences
Many activities need licences, including food (Singapore Food Agency), education (Ministry of Education), tourism (Singapore Tourism Board) and health-related services (Ministry of Health). Use the GoBusiness Licensing portal to find what applies.
- 5
Register for GST if required
Register with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) when your taxable turnover goes beyond the threshold, or voluntarily. Confirm thresholds and filing on the IRAS website.
- 6
Open a business bank account and set up PayNow
Open a corporate account with a local bank and link PayNow Corporate using your UEN. Card payments can be collected through Stripe, Adyen, Shopify Payments or HitPay.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Fees, forms and requirements change — confirm with the official agencies named above before you file. Updated 2026-10-20.
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Frequently asked questions
What business can I start with S$5,000 in Singapore?
Home-based tutoring, cleaning, handyman work, an online store, freelance services and small-batch food sold via delivery are realistic choices. Check licensing for food and education and plan for insurance.
Can I run a business from my HDB flat?
Some home-based businesses are allowed under HDB rules, but there are limits on noise, customer visits and employees. Check HDB guidelines and any licensing requirements before you start.
Do I need a Singapore resident to open a company?
A private limited company needs at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, such as a citizen, permanent resident or Employment Pass holder. Check the current rule with ACRA.
What is GST and when do I register?
Goods and Services Tax is a consumption tax. You must register once your taxable turnover passes the threshold set by IRAS, and you can register earlier voluntarily. Confirm current figures on the IRAS site.
How do I take payments from customers?
PayNow is the most common local method, along with cards, GrabPay and NETS. Online tools like HitPay and Stripe let you add payment links to chats and websites.
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