Efficient Tips for Finding Singapore Company Establishment Dates and Shareholder Info

How to Efficiently Search for the Incorporation Date and Shareholder Information of Singapore Companies Reveal Practical Tips!

In business cooperation, investment decisions, or legal affairs, understanding a company’s background information is crucial. Key details such as the incorporation date and shareholder structure often reflect the company's stability, ownership framework, and potential business movements. While Singapore maintains a highly transparent business environment, members of the public without prior experience may still find it challenging to locate this information. Drawing from recent real-life cases and publicly available data, this article reveals several practical and efficient methods to find incorporation dates and shareholder details of Singapore companies-helping you conduct business research more effectively.

1. Use the ACRA Official Website to Search

The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority ACRA is Singapore’s main regulatory body responsible for company registration and oversight. It provides an online system called the Business Profile, through which the public can access basic company information, including the company name, registration number, incorporation date, registered address, corporate status, and whether it is a private limited company.

Steps to search

1. Visit the ACRA official website https//www.acra.gov.sg/https//www.acra.gov.sg/

2. Click on Business Search under the Businesses section.

3. Enter the company name or registration number.

4. Review the business profile to obtain the incorporation date and other basic details.

Note ACRA does not disclose shareholder lists publicly to protect privacy. To obtain shareholder information, you typically need to go through the company itself or its annual reports.

2. Review the Company’s Annual Return

Private limited companies in Singapore are required to submit an Annual Return to ACRA each year. This document includes information about directors, the company secretary, and shareholders. While this data is not fully accessible to the public, if the company is listed or voluntarily publishes its Annual Return, the information can be found on its official website or investor relations page.

Example

Recently, a tech company listed on the Singapore Exchange SGX drew market attention due to changes in its shareholder structure. Investors accessed the company’s latest Annual Return and identified shifts in major shareholders’ stakes, which helped inform their investment decisions.

Large corporations and multinational companies often publish detailed financial reports-including shareholder structures-on their Investor Relations pages, making these valuable resources for business researchers.

3. Use Commercial Information Platforms

For more in-depth company background checks, consider using professional commercial information platforms such as DB Dun Bradstreet, Crunchbase, PitchBook, Bloomberg, or Refinitiv. These platforms offer multi-dimensional data including incorporation dates, shareholder details, financial health, litigation history, and supply chain relationships.

Example

A Singapore-based venture capital firm recently updated the equity structures of its portfolio companies on Crunchbase, drawing significant attention. Platform users could clearly see each investee company’s shareholder composition and investment timelines, providing valuable insights for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

However, most of these services are paid or offer limited free access, making them more suitable for users with professional needs.

4. Obtain Indirect Information via LinkedIn and Executive Profiles

Although LinkedIn is not a traditional corporate information platform, it has become increasingly valuable in business research. By searching for a company, you can view its official page, which often includes the company description, employee size, and establishment date.

Many Singaporean executives also include their professional backgrounds-and sometimes even shareholding details-on their personal profiles. By cross-referencing multiple executive profiles, one can often infer the core shareholder structure of a company.

Example

In mid-2025, a new green technology startup updated the profiles of its founders on LinkedIn, clearly stating their respective investment ratios and shareholding details. While this information was not publicly available on ACRA, it was indirectly revealed through social media, offering valuable external insight.

5. Engage Professional Firms or Lawyers for Inquiries

If the above methods fail to meet your needs, or if you are involved in high-stakes scenarios such as legal investigations or MA due diligence, consider hiring a local Singapore law firm, accounting firm, or commercial investigation agency.

These professional firms have broader resources and legal access to obtain detailed shareholder lists, investment timelines, and historical equity change records.

Example

In October 2025, a Chinese company planning to acquire a Singapore logistics firm hired a local law firm to assist with due diligence. The firm successfully uncovered the target company’s full equity structure and potential legal risks.

This method is more costly but is best suited for high-value commercial projects.

6. Be Mindful of Information Timeliness and Legal Boundaries

When searching for company information, always verify the timeliness of the data. For example, while ACRA's business profiles are generally up to date, shareholder changes may not be immediately reflected. Some companies may also choose not to disclose all shareholder details for privacy reasons.

Moreover, your search activities must comply with Singapore’s relevant laws and regulations. Avoid infringing on privacy or engaging in illegal investigations. When using third-party platforms or social networks, always verify the legality and accuracy of the information sources.

Conclusion

The key to efficiently retrieving incorporation dates and shareholder information for Singapore companies lies in leveraging official resources, professional platforms, and social networks, and selecting the most appropriate method based on your specific needs. Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking partners, an investor evaluating business value, or a legal professional conducting compliance checks, mastering these techniques will significantly enhance the efficiency and quality of your information-gathering efforts.