When the first iPhone was launched in 2007, Isaac Lim was inspired to teach himself iOS development. This first foray into software engineering, as well as his Computer Science education at Carnegie Mellon University, propelled him on a path to Silicon Valley, where after a decade of working with tech companies like Airbnb, Lim and his wife decided to move back to Singapore to be closer to family and to provide their child with a high-quality bilingual education. Singapore is a country where students rank the highest globally in reading, mathematics, and science.

Upon his return, he joined the Carousell Group, where he credits the cultural diversity for fostering a greater understanding amongst team members, and grasping cultural nuances for product localization.

In addition to Singapore’s homegrown talent like Lim, companies can access a diverse pool of talented global professionals to build their A-teams for driving growth. Attracted to the country’s high quality of living, excellent public services, and safe environment, top talent from around the world have tapped into Singapore's conducive business climate, efficient processes, and range of work passes to make Singapore their home, fulfilling their professional and personal pursuits.

A Regional Gateway

Singapore’s inclusive and multicultural heritage, along with its safety and stability, makes the Southeast Asian economic powerhouse an ideal place where talent can meet opportunity. From dynamic start-ups to global software giants, companies both small and big have turned to Singapore for its pro-business environment and as an unmatched talent hub.

Besides being home to multinational corporations from all over the world, Singapore is home to over 30,000 start-ups—including 27 unicorns, the most of any country in Southeast Asia—positioning it as a powerful beacon for attracting and retaining high-caliber talent.

Bolstered by robust government support, Singapore continues to enhance its reputation as a prime destination for companies seeking a hub for forward-thinking business practices and top talent who want a high quality of life. In 2023, the nation claimed the top spot in Asia-Pacific in INSEAD’s Global Talent Competitiveness Index—a testament to the nation’s dedication to human capital development in a fast-evolving global landscape.

Verena Siow, SAP Southeast Asia President and Managing Director based in Singapore lauds its business-friendly environment and future-ready infrastructure as perfectly suited for the software giant’s AI and machine-learning endeavors.

And it’s not just the big corporations that appreciate Singapore’s business environment. The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 by StartupBlink, which analyzes over 1,000 cities worldwide, ranks Singapore as the top startup hub in the Asia Pacific region. Singapore excelled in categories such as financial stewardship and market attractiveness, underscoring the country's supportive business and investment climate.

“What really impressed me about the Singapore tech ecosystem was how vibrant and energetic it felt,” says Malina Platon, who relocated to Singapore in 2017 with a Romanian startup. Convinced that Singapore provides an ideal setting to fuel her passion for technology, she later founded Global Digital Ventures, aimed at assisting European startups in venturing into the Asian market, advising them to establish local teams familiar with the market and facilitating their connections with channel partners.

Singapore's robust business ecosystem and diverse talent pool are also key reasons why Southeast Asia’s first climate tech venture builder Wavemaker Impact selected Singapore as its base to build high-growth climate tech companies. “Singapore is incredibly startup-friendly and a hub for incredible entrepreneurial talent in the region,” says founding partner Marie Cheong, emphasizing the ease of networking and forming new connections in Singapore.

Live, Work, and Play

Talent who have made Singapore home can experience firsthand its rich and vibrant culture, including UNESCO treasures like its hawker culture and the Singapore Botanic Gardens. There is increasing recognition that the country has much to offer in terms of diverse lifestyle and entertainment options, including world-class museums, international galleries, retail and dining experiences. The city-state’s vibrant calendar of year-round events features local and international theater performances, musicals, and concerts, including Taylor Swift’s only stop in Southeast Asia for The Eras Tour in March 2024.

Since making Singapore his home in 2018, Mike Crichton, Regional President for Greater China and Intercontinental at GSK, has also fully embraced its hawker culture, developing a fondness for Kopi O Kosong, a local black coffee.

The nation’s blend of safety, accessibility to quality services, and recreational facilities has also secured it the highest ranking in Asia in Mercer’s 2023 Quality of Living survey which evaluates the practical aspects of daily life for expatriate employees and their families across over 240 global locations, affirming its status as a top choice for individuals and families seeking an integrated experience of living, working, and relaxation.

Dr. Katharina Sikora, Chief Financial Officer of Siemens Mobility Singapore and Asia-Pacific, and a mother of two, praises Singapore’s child-friendly atmosphere, which has enriched her family’s life. “I was very impressed with how child-friendly Singapore is,” she says, citing attractions like the ArtScience Museum and the Singapore Zoo. “Singapore has a high-quality education system for locals but also many international schools.”

Singapore has enhanced its work pass framework, such as the five-year ONE Pass work visa, which seeks to provide global top talent with increased certainty, greater flexibility, and spousal privileges. This move not only strengthens its appeal to international professionals, but also enables businesses to attract leaders from diverse sectors, solidifying Singapore’s status as a leading hub for innovation and business.

This article was first published on CNN, in partnership with Singapore Economic Development Board.