Idea & Market Research

Every successful startup begins with a problem worth solving.

Ask yourself:

- What problem do I see in the market today?

- Who is struggling with it, and why hasn’t it been solved well yet?

Conduct both demand-side (customer needs) and supply-side (competitor) research. You don’t need a “blue ocean” idea — you just need a clear advantage or unique angle that sets you apart.

Tip: Use surveys, interviews, and trend tools like Google Trends to validate real demand before investing heavily.

Build a Simple Business Plan

You don’t need a 50-page document — a simple Business Model Canvas will do.
Outline your:

- Value proposition
- Target customers

- Revenue model

- Cost structure
- Key partners and activities

This visual plan helps you see how all the parts fit together before you spend money or seek investors.

Want feedback on your startup plan? Connect with Ikigai SG mentors for expert insights.

Choose a Legal Structure

Before going live, register your business with ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority).
Your main options:

- Sole Proprietorship: Simple setup, full personal liability.

- Partnership: Shared ownership and risk.
- Private Limited (Pte Ltd): Separate legal entity, preferred by investors.
- Most startups in Singapore register as Pte Ltd for credibility and funding eligibility.

Secure Financing 

Funding determines how fast you can scale. Options include:

- Personal savings or family capital
- Angel investors

- Government grants (e.g., Startup SG Founder Grant)
- Venture capital

At Ikigai SG, this is our specialty — we help early-stage founders connect with angel investors and strategic partners who can open real doors.

Ready to raise capital? Schedule a chat with us.

Product Development

Whether it’s a digital product or a physical service, focus on solving a real customer pain point.

Your product should:
✅ Meet or exceed customer expectations
✅ Offer convenience or cost-efficiency
✅ Be easy to use and improve over time

Start small — launch a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to test and refine based on real feedback.

Marketing & Sales Strategy

A great product means nothing if no one knows about it.

Use a mix of digital and offline channels to reach your target audience:

- Social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook)

- Content marketing (blogs, videos, SEO)

- Email marketing & CRM

- Paid ads (Google or Meta)

- Focus on storytelling — people buy why you do something, not just what you sell.

Need guidance? Ikigai SG helps founders craft go-to-market strategies that drive traction and growth.

Launch & Operate

Once your MVP is ready, launch fast — learn faster.

Use simple tools to manage daily operations, sales, and finances.

Track performance metrics like:

- Customer acquisition cost (CAC)

- Lifetime value (LTV)

- Conversion rate

Remember: perfection is the enemy of progress. Real feedback only comes once you go live.

Adapt, Change & Grow

Business success is about continuous learning.
- Collect customer feedback, monitor trends, and stay flexible.

- Pivot when needed, and never stop improving your product or processes.

At Ikigai SG, we guide founders through each growth stage — from pre-seed to Series A — ensuring they evolve with the market.

Final Thoughts

Starting a business takes dedication, resilience, and mentorship.

With Ikigai SG, you don’t have to do it alone. Our team of experienced founders, advisors, and angel investors is here to help you every step of the way.

Let’s turn your idea into reality. Contact us today to get started.