Building the Startup Workforce - Hiring, Retention and Workforce Strategies for Growth
This workshop aims to help startup founders and hiring managers build awareness of the various opportunities, support and available resources as well as competencies to hire and retain the right talent while optimising both their cost and growth. The topics will include talent support, programmes from the various government agencies and organisations, the emerging models of hiring and retaining talents (including fractional hiring and Employee-On-Record), utilising technologies (such as artificial intelligence) and how startups could build robust talent hiring and retention strategies to remain competitive in the industries they are in.
Programme
1.30 – 2.00 pm: Registration
2.00 – 2.20 pm: Welcome Remarks by ACE.SG, WSG and JustCo
2.20 – 3.00 pm:
Panel Discussion: Unlocking Growth – Leveraging on Talents to Innovate, Scale and Compete
Talent is a key catalyst for startups looking to innovate, scale, and compete in an increasingly complex global landscape. In Singapore, startups can tap into a diverse talent ecosystem supported by government programmes, industry initiatives, and specialised talent pools in areas such as AI and deep tech. However, understanding how to navigate these resources and align them with a startup’s growth strategy remains a challenge for many founders.
Our panel will explore what makes Singapore’s talent ecosystem unique and how startups can position themselves to benefit from it. The discussion will also highlight alternative hiring pathways beyond traditional recruitment, including flexible hiring models and structured programmes that help startups access talent at different stages of their growth. In addition, the panel will examine emerging trends in talent development that startups should be aware of as they plan for 2026 and beyond. The panel will also share about how startup leaders could build and develop strong teams while leveraging the resources available within Singapore’s talent ecosystem, including AI and deep tech.
3.00 – 3.40 pm:
Panel Discussion: The Future of Start-Up Workforce: Models for Scaling Up and Growth
As startups scale beyond their home markets, building and managing teams across different geographies has become both a critical priority and a complex challenge. Traditional hiring models are no longer the only option. Today, startups are increasingly adopting flexible and innovative talent strategies to access global talent, stay agile, and manage costs effectively.
In this panel discussion, industry leaders and talent platform providers will deep dive into emerging hiring models such as fractional hiring, Employee of Record (EOR), and other flexible workforce arrangements (including leveraging on artificial intelligence) that enable startups to quickly build teams. The conversation will also cover how startups can streamline HR processes through digital HR platforms, allowing founders to manage payroll, compliance, and talent operations efficiently without building a large internal HR team.
Our panel will also share practical insights on the new hiring and HR approaches for startups to scale across markets, tap specialised talent, and remain competitive in the industries they are in. The discussion will also address key considerations around talent retention, compliance across jurisdictions, and building strong company culture within distributed teams.
3.40 – 4.40 pm: Breakout Workshops
4.40 – 5.30 pm: Networking