Singapore American Business Association

What Singapore American Business Association does

Singapore America Business Association (SABA) is a California-incorporated non-profit mutual benefit corporation founded in 1992 in San Francisco and headquartered in Redwood City. It operates as a membership-based business networking association whose mission is to strategically link North America with Singapore and Asia. SABA serves corporate executives, professionals, entrepreneurs, and government-agency representatives in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area who have business interests between the US and Singapore, plus Singaporean students and young professionals seeking community and career connections.

SABA generates revenue from three primary streams: annual membership dues across individual ($50/yr), student ($20/yr, waived with valid school ID), and corporate ($1,800/yr) tiers; transaction-based fees for signature events including the Annual Gala Dinner, Charity Golf Tournament, Lunar New Year Celebration, Speakers' Series luncheons, and National Day events; and corporate sponsorships across gold/silver/bronze tiers plus table sponsorships. Membership benefits include access to a private membership directory, VIP receptions with Singapore government leaders, exclusive small-group luncheons, reduced event pricing, and complimentary newsletter/web advertising. Annual flagship events such as the gala and Lunar New Year celebration have drawn 450+ attendees.

SABA's go-to-market is event-driven, combining signature galas and cultural celebrations with a recurring speakers' series and distribution partnerships with Singapore government agencies (Economic Development Board, Infocomm Development Authority, Contact Singapore, Singapore Consulate General in San Francisco) and diaspora organizations (SingaporeConnect, NUSEA, CSPA). Its 2009-2010 executive committee included leadership drawn from member firms such as Temasek Holdings, Baring Private Equity Asia, GIC, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, WilmerHale, and Francisco Partners, reflecting the organization's reliance on volunteer professional leadership from its corporate membership base.

Name

Singapore American Business Association

Legal name

Singapore America Business Association

Website

https://saba-usaorg.siteprotect.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Singapore America Business Association (SABA) is a non-profit business networking association founded in 1992, serving Bay Area corporate executives, professionals, entrepreneurs, and government-agency representatives with business interests between the US and Singapore through annual memberships, signature events, and government partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Association / Networking Membership Organization

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Meetings & Conferences (Internal/External Business Events) (MPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Gala Dinners & Fundraising Events (Nonprofit/CSR) (MPAGAHAE)

Keywords

• Business networking association
• Cross-border membership organization
• Corporate event programming
• Trade facilitation services
• Singapore America business community

Headquarters

HQ city

Redwood City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Fees: Annual membership fees charged to individual professionals. Individual membership is $50/year, providing admission to events at membership rates, access to private meetings with government leaders, AGM attendance, and a copy of the membership directory.
2. Student Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for students, priced at $20/year, with fees waived for students presenting valid school ID.
3. Corporate Membership Fees: Premium annual membership for corporations at $1,800/year, offering VIP receptions with government leaders, exclusive small group luncheons, complimentary luncheon program admission, reduced rates for additional programs, complimentary newsletter advertisement, and corporate web listing.
4. Event Revenue: Fees charged for signature events including annual gala dinners (Black-tie events at venues like Four Seasons Hotel, Hotel Nikko, Ritz-Carlton), golf tournaments, luncheon speaker programs, and networking mixers.
5. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsorships for events including gold, silver, and bronze sponsor tiers for galas, table sponsorships, and charity golf tournament sponsorships. Sponsors receive recognition, advertising opportunities, and access to attendees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SABA is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation that sells annual memberships (Individual $50, Student $20, Corporate $1,800) and organizes recurring paid events — Annual Gala Dinners, Singapore Charity Golf Tournaments, Lunar New Year Celebrations, and a luncheon Speakers' Series featuring business and government leaders. It also publishes an annual Membership Directory and offers advertising placements in the newsletter and on its website. All offerings are designed to connect corporate executives, professionals, entrepreneurs, and students in the San Francisco Bay Area with Singapore and Asian business opportunities.

Product overview

SABA (Singapore America Business Association) is a non-profit business association, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of membership programs at individual, student, and corporate tiers, along with event programming including annual galas, charity golf tournaments, Lunar New Year celebrations, and a Speakers' Series featuring business leaders. The association also publishes a membership directory and provides advertising opportunities on its website. All offerings serve the association's mission of bridging North America with Singapore and Asia through networking and knowledge sharing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Membership Annual $50 membership for individual business professionals interested in Singapore and America. Includes admission to SABA events at membership rates, access to private meetings with government leaders, AGM invitations, and a copy of the membership directory.
• Student Membership Annual $20 membership for students (fee waived with valid school ID), providing networking opportunities with businesspeople interested in Singapore and America.
• Corporate Membership Annual $1,800 corporate membership offering VIP receptions with government leaders, exclusive small-group luncheons, complimentary luncheon admissions, reduced rates for events, complimentary newsletter advertisement, web linking opportunity, four representative memberships, corporate profile in newsletter, and corporate listings in the directory.
• SABA Membership Directory Annual printed directory (with online members-only access) listing all SABA members and corporate members, distributed exclusively to members and their representatives.
• SABA Speakers' Series Recurring luncheon program featuring distinguished business leaders, government officials, and industry experts addressing topics relevant to cross-border business between North America and Asia (e.g., Clean-Technology: Earth's Future panel in September 2009).
• SABA Annual Gala Dinner Annual flagship gala dinner (16th held in 2008, 17th in 2010) bringing together Singaporean and American business professionals for celebration, networking, community building, and corporate sponsorship activation at premier Bay Area venues.
• Singapore Charity Golf Tournament Annual charity golf tournament co-hosted with the Singapore Consulate General, with net proceeds donated to charitable causes (2007 inaugural tournament raised US$21,000+ for the Blind Babies Foundation).
• Lunar New Year Celebration Dinner Annual Chinese New Year celebration co-hosted with SingaporeConnect and NUSEA, featuring cultural performances (Lion Dance, Shao Lin Kung Fu, Gu-Zheng music), buffet lunch, and networking for the Singaporean-American community in the Bay Area.
• SABA Website & Newsletter Advertising Advertising placements for members on the SABA website and in the SABA newsletter, providing visibility to the association's member base and visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 450 attendees at flagship events
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SingaporeConnectcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-organizer of community events including Chinese New Year celebrations and other Singaporean cultural events in the Bay Area. SingaporeConnect works with SABA to engage the Singaporean diaspora community and promote networking among Singaporeans and friends of Singapore.
• NUSEA (NUS Alumni Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-organizer of events including Chinese New Year celebrations and NUSEA Rainmakers Conference. NUSEA provides a network of National University of Singapore alumni in North America who participate in SABA events and programs.
• Singapore International FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent co-presenter and sponsor, particularly for National Day Special events and cultural celebrations. Provides funding and support for Singapore-themed events showcasing Singaporean culture and talent in the Bay Area.
• Contact SingaporecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partnership for Careers@Home: Public Sector recruitment events. SABA serves as a platform for Contact Singapore to reach Singaporeans and PRs in North America for public sector career opportunities in Singapore.
• Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Director (Jayson Goh) serves on SABA Board of Directors. EDB and SABA co-host events featuring EDB leadership (including Chairman Lim Siong Guan) and promote Singapore as a business destination. EDB San Francisco office actively participates in SABA programming.
• Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDA Country Director (Joachim Ng) serves on SABA Board. IDA sponsors SABA Speaker Series events and facilitates technology transfer and investment between US and Singapore through the partnership.
• Singapore Consulate General in San FranciscocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of Singapore National Day Celebration, Singapore Charity Golf Tournament, and other consular events. Consul General Heng Jee See invited SABA members to official National Day receptions. Partnership provides diplomatic-level access and legitimacy to SABA events.
• Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & RosaticoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member and venue host for SABA Speakers' Series events. WSGR partner Tom Savage serves on SABA Board of Directors. Provides legal industry expertise and Palo Alto venue access for SABA programming.
• Chek Tan & CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member, Gala sponsor, and board member (Chek Tan as CEO). Provides accounting/business expertise and financial support for SABA events.
• SVC WirelessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of Ultrawide Band Applications event in April 2008. Partnership provides technology sector expertise and networking for SABA members interested in wireless communications.
• Stanford UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of Opportunities in Asian Medical Device Industry seminar in 2008. Partnership provides academic credibility and reaches Stanford alumni and students interested in Asian business.
• Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor and venue provider for NUSEA Rainmakers Conference Fall 2008 on energy efficiency. AMD Commons Auditorium used as venue, demonstrating corporate tech sector partnership.
• CSPA (California Singapore Professional Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-organizer of New Year Guan Xi Mixer with CSPA and VSVN. Partnership leverages combined Singaporean professional networks in the Bay Area for larger networking events.
• SABA of Southern CaliforniaminorOthersAffiliated Singapore-American business association serving Southern California. Listed as a related Singaporean organization on SABA's business links page.
• American Chamber of Commerce in SingaporeminorOthersListed as a related Singaporean organization on SABA's business links page, facilitating cross-border business connections between US and Singapore.
• World Affairs Council of Northern CaliforniaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of World Affairs Council - Young Professionals International Forum in March 2008. Partnership expands SABA's reach to international affairs professionals.
• Silicon Valley Association of Software Entrepreneurs (SVASE)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as related organization on SABA's business links page, facilitating connections with Silicon Valley startup ecosystem.
• Churchill ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as related organization on SABA's business links page, providing access to Churchill Club's tech and business networking events.
• Bay Area UniversitiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership network including Stanford, UC Berkeley, Santa Clara University, USF, GGU, and others for student engagement, talent pipelines, and academic collaboration on SABA events and programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore: AmCham Singapore is the largest international business chamber in Singapore, serving US companies and individuals doing business in and with Singapore. Directly comparable to SABA as a cross-border US-Singapore business networking organization, operating on the opposite side of the same corridor.
• Asia Society Northern California: Asia Society Northern California is a Bay Area-based membership organization promoting understanding and engagement between the US and Asia. Comparable to SABA in its cross-border US-Asia business and cultural networking mission, regional geographic focus, and event-driven member engagement model.
• British-American Business (BAB): British-American Business is a transatlantic business membership organization that facilitates networking, trade, and investment between the UK and US. Comparable to SABA as a country-pair business association model with corporate membership tiers, signature events, and government access programming.
• SABA of Southern California: SABA of Southern California is an affiliated sister association serving the Singapore-American business community in Southern California. Operates the same membership, event, and networking model as SABA, making it the closest geographic functional peer in the US.
• French-American Chamber of Commerce San Francisco: FACC San Francisco is a Bay Area-based business membership association facilitating US-France commercial ties. Comparable to SABA in structure as a country-pair business networking organization with corporate sponsorships, galas, and Bay Area focus.
• German American Business Association (GABA): GABA is a Bay Area-based nonprofit facilitating business connections between Germany and Silicon Valley. Comparable to SABA in its dual-country business networking model, corporate membership structure, and Bay Area geographic focus.
• California Singapore Professional Association (CSPA): CSPA is a co-organizer of SABA events (e.g., New Year Guan Xi Mixer) serving Singaporean professionals in California. Closely comparable in mission and target community, with overlapping events and joint programming with SABA.

Regional players

• Singapore International Chamber of Commerce: SICC is the premier Singapore-based business chamber facilitating trade and investment in Singapore and the region. Comparable to SABA's Singapore-side counterpart for cross-border business networking, with regional rather than Bay Area scope.

Broad incumbents

• Churchill Club: Churchill Club is a long-standing Silicon Valley technology and business networking organization. Comparable as a Bay Area networking peer for SABA members, though broader in tech focus rather than Singapore-specific.

Emerging players

• Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU): OSU is a Singapore government initiative connecting overseas Singaporean professionals globally. Reaches the same diaspora community as SABA and co-hosts events, making it both a partner and partial substitute for cross-border networking services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bluecube-bv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Singapore American Business Association