Recommendation for Attorney - Entrepass/Highly Qualified

[goldtrader]

Hello,

Our investor group has a tech startup that is looking at the possibility of using Singapore as a base for Asia. The current project which is relatively new has raised in the mid-7 digits (USD), a number of well known VC and celebrity figures are investors. Should not be too difficult to qualify through any necessary accreditation process over time. We're looking for a Singapore based law firm with good experience bringing U.S. based projects in to SG through the entrepass or other similar method. Please feel free to send me a private message. Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Strong Eagle]

A. We much prefer public replies, as opposed to private replies, so that the largest number of people have an opportunity to gain new knowledge. As a moderator, I would encourage anyone to post their answers publicly, unless you intend to provide information of a sensitive or confidential nature.

B. Based upon the statements you have made in your post, you meet all the requirements of an Entrepass. What do you need a lawyer for? You fill out the application. You submit it along with supporting documents. I'd bet money you'll get the Entrepass. You need someone in your startup to read the rules and file accordingly. If you think that hiring a law firm will expedite your Entrepass application, you don't know much about the Singapore government.

C. What do you mean by "[a] law firm with good experience bringing U.S. based projects in to SG through the entrepass or other similar method"? There are at least half a dozen non-law firms that can file all the papers needed for an Entrepass, and any competent CPA in Singapore can do the same thing.

Are you looking for a law firm that has "connections", that presumably will look at your business and introduce you to Singapore tycoons/firms just dying to get in on the action that you are proposing? That's out of my sphere of knowledge... and, you better have a great deal if you think you're going to attract well connected Chinese Singaporeans... they already have their networks. Then again, if you're connected through A-Star...

I'd ask you... why Singapore versus Hong Kong, with much closer connections to mainland China? Or why not Thailand? I understand reluctance to consider Malaysia... in spite of numerous attractive benefits via the "corridors", Malaysian government doesn't seem to have the political will to confront the Islamic extremists that are becoming ever more vocal.

[PNGMK]

Hello,

Our investor group has a tech startup that is looking at the possibility of using Singapore as a base for Asia. The current project which is relatively new has raised in the mid-7 digits (USD), a number of well known VC and celebrity figures are investors. Should not be too difficult to qualify through any necessary accreditation process over time. We're looking for a Singapore based law firm with good experience bringing U.S. based projects in to SG through the entrepass or other similar method. Please feel free to send me a private message. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Your difficulty will be sorting out the good from the bad... you won't have a shortage of contenders.

I'm not sure why you need a law firm - I'd personally find some good directors and exec managers and hire your own corp lawyer in Singapore when needed who can run liasion with any specialists he/she needs.