Razer Bets on AI to Build New Tools for Game Development and Player Guidance; Chinese E-commerce Platform Zaihui Enters Singapore Through Tech@SG to Expand Southeast Asian Market.
Today, we’ll break down how the Tech@SG program helps tech companies rapidly recruit core talent, apply for Employment Passes (EP), accelerate business growth, and expand globally.
I. Razer’s AI Adventure:
From Hardware Empire to Software Frontiers
At Singapore’s One-North Tech City, a sleek black mirror-finished office tower stands out prominently, its neon-green three-headed serpent logo glowing with technological brilliance atop the building.
This is the regional headquarters of Razer, the gaming hardware giant once famous for its “Razer DeathAdder” mouse, “Razer BlackShark” gaming headset, and “Razer BlackWidow” keyboard. Now, it’s fully committed to the artificial intelligence (AI) field.
Photo: Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan (center), Singapore Minister for Digital Development and Communications Vivian Balakrishnan (right)
One August morning, Razer’s newly formed AI team demonstrated its latest gaming AI software in a conference room. On a large screen, a virtual character navigated a fictional world when tiny sparks suddenly appeared—potential software glitches detected by the AI. On another laptop, a Siri-like AI voice assistant delivered real-time commands to players, helping them overcome challenges.
These two software solutions, still in testing phases, are named QA Co-AI and Game Co-AI respectively. The former is a quality assurance tool for game developers, significantly reducing testing time and costs; the latter provides real-time gameplay guidance to players, allowing them to improve their skills without switching windows to consult walkthroughs.
Razer Chairman and CEO Min-Liang Tan stated:
“We believe AI will fundamentally transform the gaming industry.” As hardware sales face market slowdown, Razer is transitioning from a pure hardware manufacturer to a “gaming architect,” providing software tools and services for developers and players.
Photo: Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan, Source: Forbes
PitchBook Senior Analyst Eric Belomo noted that the global game development AI market is projected to grow from $2.3 billion in 2023 to $28 billion by 2033.
This implies Razer’s AI investments could not only unlock new revenue streams but also substantially boost the company’s valuation. Min-Liang Tan and board member Jia-Lin Lim collectively hold approximately two-thirds of the company’s shares. Leveraging AI, Razer’s future business model may encompass tool subscriptions and AI model licensing.
Source: Forbes, Newzoo
Razer’s AI strategy isn’t its first venture beyond hardware. Since its founding in 2005, the company has continuously expanded into software and cloud services—from Razer Cloud 2.0 to Cortex Razer Cloud—delivering customized experiences and optimization tools for gamers.
Now, through AI, Razer elevates this capability to new heights, not only streamlining game development workflows but also guiding players to enhance their skills.
Moreover, Razer’s AI team is rapidly expanding. Over the past eight months, the team has doubled in size, now employing 50 AI professionals in Singapore with plans to grow to 150.
This is precisely where the Tech@SG initiative proves valuable, helping fast-growing tech companies like Razer attract core talent while providing Employment Pass (EP) endorsement and renewal guarantees.
Image source: Razer
II. SpoonX: Rapidly Establishing Presence in Singapore Through Tech@SG
Another tech company, SpoonX—a Chinese e-commerce solutions provider—offers a contrasting example.
Headquartered in Shanghai and founded in 2015, SpoonX specializes in delivering digital marketing and e-commerce operations services to merchants. In 2022, the company secured a $200 million Series D funding round, achieving an $800 million valuation with investments from SoftBank Vision Fund and others.
According to media reports, recognizing Southeast Asia’s market potential, SpoonX entered Singapore through the Tech@SG program, establishing a regional subsidiary under the name “SpoonX.”
Image Source: SpoonX
Currently, the Singapore team has over 20 employees with plans to expand to 50. Future operations will serve over 50 clients across Southeast Asia, including businesses in food and beverage, beauty, and retail sectors such as “Singapore Farmers’ Market” and “Lida Plaza.”
Gu Xiang, Head of Overseas Operations at Zaihui, stated: “We are highly optimistic about Singapore’s overall economy and stock market, anticipating even more vigorous growth in the future.”
Through the Tech@SG program, Zaihui not only secured an EP endorsement at the corporate level but also gained streamlined processing for work pass applications for core team members. This reduces rejection risks, accelerating local operations and team expansion.
Similar to Razer, Zaihui is also exploring capital market opportunities.
The company plans a dual listing on the NASDAQ and Singapore Exchange to raise approximately S$100 million. This move not only reflects corporate confidence in Singapore’s policies and market environment but also underscores the tangible value of the Tech@SG initiative in attracting overseas tech firms to establish operations locally.
Source: Zaihui
III. Tech@SG Initiative Revealed:
How Policies Help Tech Companies Secure Talent Passes
Singapore has consistently prioritized technological innovation and talent acquisition. In 2022, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing emphasized at a conference that surging demand for skilled professionals risks driving talent to other nations if not proactively secured.
To address this, the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore) jointly launched the Tech@SG initiative.
1. Corporate Eligibility Criteria
Core business must be digital technology, including self-developed hardware or software technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, etc.;
Eligible industries include SaaS, e-commerce, digital media, digital gaming, medtech, biotech, cleantech, fintech, etc.;
Must have received investment from recognized institutions within the past 36 months (no minimum amount required);
Ineligible sectors include coffee shops, hawker centers, bars, foot massage parlors, traditional Chinese medicine clinics, etc.
Source: Lianhe Zaobao
2. Individual EP Application Requirements
Monthly salary meets Singapore’s minimum EP standards (S$6,200 for finance in 2025; S$5,600 for other occupations);
Core team functions: Technology roles (product development, software engineering, data science, etc.) and core business roles (strategic planning, integrated management, etc.);
Position level must be Manager or above; roles such as Analyst, Assistant, or Executive Officer do not qualify.
Through the Tech@SG initiative, eligible enterprises can apply for EPs for up to 10 core employees within two years and receive strong support for the first renewal. This policy significantly lowers administrative barriers for overseas tech companies establishing operations in Singapore while providing assurance for attracting and retaining top talent.
Source: Lianhe Zaobao
IV. Tech@SG Application Process:
A Practical Guide from Endorsement to Work Permit
For companies, successfully leveraging the Tech@SG scheme requires both understanding key policy points and navigating the application process:
1. Pre-Application Preparation
Register a business entity with Singapore’s ACRA and obtain a CorpPass account;
Confirm eligibility for Tech@SG and prepare required application materials.
2. Submit Program Endorsement
Foreign-majority enterprises (local ownership <30%): Submit application to EDB; review completed within 10–15 working days;
Enterprises with ≥30% local shareholding: Submit application through Startup SG, an agency under IE Singapore;
Recommend registering an EPOL account in advance to prepare for subsequent EP applications.
Source: Razer
3. Submit Individual EP Applications
After obtaining Tech@SG endorsement, submit EP applications for core employees;
MOM completes review and provides feedback within 21 working days;
Tip: EP applications must be submitted within 2 years of the company’s program approval.
4. Follow-up Updates and Support
Upon approving 10 EPs or completing the support period (2 years), EDB or IE Singapore will notify the end of support;
Core employees can smoothly renew their EPs to ensure team stability.
Tip: Ensure complete documentation and alignment between job level and functions during application to avoid rejection due to omissions.
Source: Razer
Conclusion: Singapore—The Talent Accelerator for Tech Companies
From Razer’s bold AI investments to Zaihui’s rapid Southeast Asian market expansion, Singapore demonstrates its unique strengths as a hub for technological innovation and talent aggregation.
Through the Tech@SG program, enterprises can not only swiftly recruit core talent but also gain permit endorsement and renewal assurance, reducing administrative hurdles to achieve rapid business expansion.
The Razer and Zaihui cases demonstrate how Singapore’s policy and market environment combination is becoming an “accelerator” for tech companies entering Southeast Asia and global markets.
For tech enterprises seeking to establish operations in Singapore, understanding and leveraging the Tech@SG program is a crucial step toward capturing market share, attracting top talent, and driving innovation.