
What Is The Role of Company Secretary In Business Especially Startup in Singapore?
Oct 13, 2024
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Raising capital is a crucial milestone for startups, enabling them to scale, innovate, and compete. While founders often focus on attracting investors, the role of a company secretary is equally essential in ensuring smooth fundraising. In Singapore, a company secretary ensures compliance, governance, and supports startups with their legal and corporate needs during the fundraising process.

Here’s how a company secretary can facilitate fundraising for startups in Singapore.
1. Ensuring Legal Compliance and Corporate Governance
Investors prefer startups with solid governance and compliance records. In Singapore, all private limited companies are required by law to appoint a company secretary to ensure compliance with the Companies Act.
2. Preparing and Managing Key Documents
Fundraising involves significant documentation, from term sheets to shareholder agreements. A company secretary prepares these documents and ensures they comply with local laws.
Key Documents a Company Secretary Can Assist With:
Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&AA)
Shareholders’ Agreements
Board Resolutions and Meeting Minutes
3. Facilitating Due Diligence
Investors conduct due diligence to assess a startup’s financial and legal health. A company secretary helps organize and present key documents required for investor reviews.
How This Helps Fundraising:
Efficient due diligence improves investor confidence and accelerates decision-making.
4. Structuring Share Capital and Equity Issuance
When raising funds, startups often offer shares or equity. A company secretary manages the issuance of new shares, structuring capital, and maintaining accurate records.
5. Managing Stakeholder Communication
Effective communication with stakeholders, including investors and board members, is crucial during fundraising. A company secretary acts as a liaison, ensuring decisions are documented and shared transparently.
6. Advising on Corporate Restructuring for Investment
Sometimes fundraising may require restructuring a startup’s corporate structure. A company secretary provides guidance on how to best structure the company to attract investment.
7. Navigating Regulatory Requirements During Fundraising
Fundraising often triggers regulatory requirements, such as share capital amendments or board restructuring. A company secretary ensures compliance with Singapore’s regulatory authorities like ACRA.

Conclusion
A company secretary plays an essential role by ensuring compliance, managing documentation, facilitating due diligence, and supporting communication with stakeholders. By helping your startup navigate the legal complexities of raising capital, a company secretary enables a smoother, more efficient process that builds investor confidence.
If your startup is gearing up for fundraising, having a professional company secretary on board can be a game-changer. Secure your future growth with the right corporate governance with us today!