How To Start An Edtech Business In Singapore (2025)

9 Steps for starting an Edtech business in Singapore

Successfully launching an EdTech business in Singapore requires more than just a great product. Here’s what to do to build a trusted reputation in the industry.

Step 1: Define your niche and business model in Singapore’s EdTech market

EdTech is a broad field, encompassing LearnerTech, TeacherTech, and OpsTech. Before you register your company, you need to decide who your core customers are and what specific problem you’re solving. Your target audience will dictate your business model and your path to market. Here are the common segments:

• B2C (Business-to-Consumer): You sell directly to parents or students. This includes platforms for PSLE practice, coding bootcamps, literacy apps, and test preparation services. This model often requires strong marketing to build brand trust and a deep understanding of parental needs.
• B2B (Business-to-Business): You sell to private schools, training providers, preschools, or universities. Your products might include Learning Management Systems (LMS), digital assessment tools, student attendance trackers, or data analytics platforms. This requires a longer sales cycle but can lead to more stable, recurring revenue.
• B2G/Schools (Business-to-Government/Public Schools): You sell to public schools and government agencies like the Ministry of Education (MOE) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). This segment has specific procurement requirements, including vendor onboarding and adherence to standards like InvoiceNow e-invoicing. Success here often depends on demonstrating clear learning outcomes and administrative efficiency.

Pro-tip for schools: For a B2G approach, pilot your solution with a single department head (e.g., Head of Department for ICT) and a specific subject first. Measure key metrics like time saved for teachers and improved learning outcomes for students. This data is your most powerful tool when convincing a procurement board.

Step 2: Choose a structure and register your company with ACRA

For most EdTech startups, a Private Limited (Pte. Ltd.) company is the ideal legal structure. It offers credibility with schools, parents, and investors, and it separates your personal liability from the business’s. The process is fast and fully online through the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) Bizfile portal.

• ACRA fees: The one-time cost is S$15 for a company name application plus S$300 to register the company, for a total of S$315.
• Company Secretary & Registered Address: By law, you must appoint a local company secretary and have a registered business address. 

Many founders use a corporate services provider like Sleek to ensure they meet all statutory deadlines and legal notices. We can handle the entire incorporation process smoothly and provide both a company secretary and a registered address as part of a package.

Step 3: Set up for your finances (banking, invoicing, and tax)

Once your company is registered, you need to set up your financial infrastructure for billing and tax compliance. This is a critical step to ensure a smooth operation from day one.

• Business bank account & invoicing: You’ll need a dedicated business bank account. If you plan to bill public sector agencies (e.g., MOE schools), it’s crucial to be ready for InvoiceNow (Peppol e-invoicing). This is the Singapore Government’s default channel for vendors and can significantly speed up your payment collection.
• Corporate Income Tax (CIT): Singapore’s headline CIT rate is 17%. However, as a startup, you can benefit from the Start-Up Tax Exemption (SUTE) for your first three Years of Assessment (YAs) – 75% exemption on the first S$100k, and 50% on the next S$100k (YA2020 onwards). There’s also a Partial Tax Exemption for all companies.
  Always check with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) for the latest rates and rebates.

Step 4: Understand GST for EdTech businesses in Singapore

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a significant financial consideration. Understanding the rules is key to pricing your services correctly and avoiding penalties.

• Compulsory registration: You must compulsorily register for GST when your taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million, either on a retrospective (over the past 12 months) or prospective (forecasting over the next 12 months) basis.
• 2025 update: From July 1, 2025, a new rule provides a two-month grace period for businesses that become liable on a prospective basis. While you still need to apply for GST registration within 30 days of forecasting liability, you have a short window before you must start charging the 9% GST.
• Voluntary registration: If you primarily sell B2B to other GST-registered companies or if you have significant input tax (e.g., from cloud services), voluntary registration allows you to recover that tax. However, if you are a B2C business with price-sensitive parents, you may want to weigh the impact of an additional 9% on your pricing.

Step 5: Prioritise data privacy for your EdTech startup

When dealing with learner data, especially from minors, privacy and safety are non-negotiable. Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) is strict, and compliance builds trust with parents and schools.

• Data Protection Officer (DPO): It is mandatory for all organisations to appoint a DPO and publish their contact information. Your DPO is responsible for ensuring the company complies with the PDPA.
• Handling Children’s Data: The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) issued specific Advisory Guidelines in 2024 with higher protection standards for minors’ data. You must read these guidelines closely and ensure your consent mechanisms and data handling practices are child-friendly and secure.
• Data Breaches: You must notify the PDPC as soon as is practicable and no later than three days after you’ve assessed that a data breach is likely to cause significant harm or affects 500 or more individuals.
• SMS Marketing: If you use an alphanumeric sender ID (e.g., ‘YourBrand’) for SMS communications with parents, you must register with the SMS Sender ID Registry (SSIR). There’s a one-time setup fee of S$500 setup + S$200 per Sender ID/year. Skipping this step can lead to your messages being blocked by telcos.
• Do-Not-Call (DNC) Rules: Always check the DNC Registry before sending telemarketing messages via SMS or voice calls, unless you have explicit, documented consent from the recipient.

Step 6: Manage licensing & approvals

Not all EdTechs need special licensing, but many training and education providers do. Your compliance path depends on your business model and what you offer.

• MOE Private School Registration: If you’re running a private school or an enrichment centre that teaches mainstream subjects to 10 or more persons at a time, you must register with the Ministry of Education (MOE).
• SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) Registration: If you offer diplomas, degrees, or operate as a Private Education Institution (PEI), you must register with SSG under the Enhanced Registration Framework (ERF). Some PEIs also need EduTrust certification, which is mandatory for enrolling international students who require a Student’s Pass.
• SSG-Funded Courses: To have your courses accredited under the SSG-funded/WSQ framework, you must apply via TPGateway. This process requires meeting specific quality, assessment, and trainer standards.

Rule of thumb: If your business is a software-only tool (e.g., an LMS, a quiz app), you typically don’t need to be a registered PEI. If your business involves teaching, training, or certifying learners at scale, you should explore the MOE or SSG pathways early.

Step 7: Start selling to schools & government

For EdTech companies looking to tap into the public sector, it’s essential to understand the procurement process.

• GeBIZ: Get familiar with GeBIZ, the Singapore Government’s e-procurement portal. Review the Government Supplier Registration tiers to see what’s required to tender for projects.
• InvoiceNow: As mentioned earlier, InvoiceNow (Peppol) is the preferred e-invoicing channel for government agencies. Being ready for this system will streamline your billing process and ensure faster payments.

Step 8: Protect your brand and content

Your brand name and logo are among your most valuable assets. Protect them with intellectual property rights.

• Trademark Registration:Secure your trademark (your brand name and logo) with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). Check the official fee tables and consider a Madrid Protocol filing if you plan to expand your business overseas.

Step 9: Find grants and support for Singapore EdTech startups

Singapore offers a wide range of grants to support startups in their growth journey. Here are a few to consider:

• Enterprise Development Grant (EDG): This grant supports projects that help companies upgrade, innovate, or grow. It can co-fund costs for consultancy, software, equipment, or internal manpower for projects like product development, UX redesign, or international expansion.
• Market Readiness Assistance (MRA): The MRA grant co-funds new market expansion activities, such as overseas business development and market entry studies. The enhanced cap has been extended to March 31, 2026.
• Startup SG Founder (SSGF): This grant provides capital and mentorship to first-time entrepreneurs. The program is administered through Accredited Mentor Partners (AMPs) and can be a great way to get early-stage support.