Singapore startups look to Russia amid tech labour crunch

Singapore

RUSSIA is pulling out all stops to attract tech companies to its startup hub in Moscow. The country's enigmatic personality might throw some off course, but it presents a bevy of opportunities for young Singapore startups to tap talent that is so scarce in the tiny island state they call home.

Faced with a tightening labour crunch in South-east Asia that seems far from abating, startups in the city-state are warming up to forming partnerships with Russia-based companies. They are participating in accelerator programmes and tapping on a host of tax incentives, free office space as well as government grants offered by Russia, all thanks largely in part to the country's ties with Enterprise Singapore (ESG).