Holding Company Structures Indian Founders Use in Singapore
- Abigail D.
- Jan 16
- 1 min read
Thinking about scaling globally? Many Indian founders use Singapore holding companies to manage their business and growth.
A holding company doesn’t run daily operations. Instead, it owns shares in operating companies. For example:
Singapore HoldCo → owns the business
Operating companies → India, SEA, US, etc., run the work
This setup keeps ownership, strategy, and decisions centralized, while operations focus on results.
Why Singapore?
Credibility – investors and partners trust Singapore companies.
Smooth money flow – profits and investments move easily between countries.
Fundraising & exits – investors prefer a single parent entity, and selling the company is simpler.
Common Structures
1. Singapore HoldCo + India OpCo
Most common
Singapore owns shares and IP
India runs day-to-day business
2. Singapore HoldCo + Multiple OpCos
Used when expanding to multiple countries
Singapore coordinates strategy and money
3. IP Holding in Singapore
IP or brand is registered in Singapore
OpCos license it
Must have real business activity
Things to Watch Out For
Avoid “paper companies — Singapore requires real operations.
Incorporation alone does not guarantee tax benefits or residency.
A strong structure shows credibility, but doesn’t automatically give PR.
Holding company structures are more than paperwork. They show how you think about:
Control vs execution
Short-term vs long-term growth
Local vs global scale
A clear Singapore holding structure tells the world: you’re serious about building a global business.
Thinking about setting up a Singapore holding company?
It helps to plan carefully and align your structure with your growth goals. Feel free to reach out to explore what setup could work best for your business.
Comments