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Singapore has emerged as one of Asia’s most strategic hubs for companies that want to scale regionally. From global entertainment giants to next-gen manufacturing startups, businesses are leveraging the city-state’s connectivity, talent pool, and strong ecosystem to expand across Asia.

In this guide, you’ll see how two very different firms — TOHO Co., the Japanese entertainment powerhouse, and Tulip Interfaces, a U.S.-born Industry 4.0 innovator — are using Singapore as their launchpad.

You’ll learn:

• Why do global brands choose Singapore as their Asian base?
• How do these companies localize strategies for diverse markets?
• What advantages does Singapore offer for scaling across the APAC region?

Let’s dive in.

TOHO: Bringing Godzilla Closer to Asian Fans

TOHO Entertainment Asia pte. ltd in Singapore

If you’ve heard Godzilla’s roar, you maybe know TOHO. The company has been making movies and anime for more than 90 years. Now, it’s setting its sights on Asia, and Singapore is at the center of that plan.

When a Japanese giant like TOHO moves its base to Singapore, it tells us something important.

In late 2024, TOHO started TOHO Entertainment Asia (TEA) in Singapore.

Why? The company wants to get closer to fans outside of Japan and make shows and films that feel more connected to the region.

Why Singapore?

TOHO picked Singapore for three simple reasons:

• The diverse mix of people here makes it easier to test and tweak content for different Asian audiences.
• It’s close to big markets like Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
• The Singapore office can localize its famous titles like Godzilla, Jujutsu Kaisen (Anime of the Year 2024), and Spy x Family (Best Comedy Anime 2024).

Koji Ueda, the CEO of TEA, said it straight: being in Singapore helps the company understand fans in each market and build stronger connections.

What’s Next for TOHO Asia?

Over the next few years, TOHO plans to:

• Grow its Singapore team
• Run more fan campaigns across Asia
• Create entertainment that feels tailor-made for each market

In short, Singapore is their launchpad for making Japanese pop culture even bigger in Asia.

Their mission isn’t just distribution. It’s understanding fans in each market, localising content, and building deeper engagement.

That’s how you take a legacy brand global.

1. By listening.
2. By adapting.
3. By meeting each market where they are.

For business owners, the lesson is clear:  Incorporation abroad isn’t just about tax or compliance. It’s about positioning your company in the right market to scale.

TOHO is living up to their slogan, “Entertainment for YOU”. What is your slogan for your next expansion company story?

Tulip Interfaces: Helping Factories Go Digital

Tulip Interfaces, an MIT-born company with its vision in the APAC region

Now, let’s switch gears from movies to manufacturing.

“People will always be the most valuable resource of your operations.”

That’s the guiding principle behind Tulip Interfaces, an MIT Media Lab spinout that’s transforming frontline operations with its AI-enabled, cloud-based platform.

Tulip Interfaces is a software company that started at MIT in the U.S. Their platform helps frontline workers in factories use digital tools to track, improve, and manage production in real time.

Factories in the Asia-Pacific already make up about one-third of all Tulip’s global work. So, in January 2024, the company set up its APAC headquarters in Singapore.

Why Singapore?

Tulip could have gone anywhere, but they chose Singapore because:

• It’s right next to major manufacturing hubs in Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
• The tech ecosystem here is strong, especially around Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing.
• Singapore has talent they can hire — from engineers to research partners.

What’s Next for Tulip Asia?

Since setting up, Tulip has been:

1. Hiring engineers and specialists to help customers use their platform
2. Partnering with schools and universities to build local talent
3. Growing their sales and marketing team to connect with more manufacturers

This move positions Tulip to support more manufacturers across Asia while building a talented local team of solution engineers, technical specialists, and partnership managers.

They’re also planning collaborations with universities and research centers—nurturing talent and accelerating innovation in the region. 

From Boston to Singapore, Tulip is redefining Industry 4.0 by keeping people at the center of technology. For Tulip, Singapore isn’t just a regional HQ. It’s the place where they connect tech and manufacturing across Asia.

The Big Picture: Why Global Brands Pick Singapore

Looking at TOHO and Tulip side by side, and other major brands such as Komax, Netsle, ACT Group,  the industries are completely different — entertainment vs. software to manufacturing and engineering. But they saw the same advantages in Singapore:

1. Easy access to Asian markets
2. A skilled, multicultural workforce
3. A supportive ecosystem for innovation
4. Strong laws to protect intellectual property

For TOHO, Singapore makes it easier to connect with fans.

For Tulip, Singapore helps push digital manufacturing forward.

And for both, the city is not just another office address. It’s the door to Asia-wide growth.

If your company needs help filing taxes for the year 2025 or requires assistance with Singapore incorporation, economy, banking, etc., feel free to call /WhatsApp us at +65 90612851 or email us at aceglobalacct@gmail.com. Alternatively, you may leave us a reply using our contact form below.

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