ISCOS

What ISCOS does

ISCOS (Industrial and Services Co-operative Society Limited) is a Singapore-registered non-profit cooperative society founded in 1989 under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is the only cooperative in Singapore specifically mandated to actively engage the community in helping ex-offenders reintegrate into society and gain economic independence. The organisation has served over 20,000 members across 35 years of continuous operation.

ISCOS delivers its reintegration mandate through a portfolio of approximately 13 programmes organised around three pillars: immediate assistance, pro-social support, and training/upskilling. Immediate assistance includes Gift of Hope welcome packages, Yellow Ribbon Enabling Fund, Project ReConnect (digital upskilling), and Project Give A Line Change A Life (free mobile data and smartphones via Zero1 partnership). Pro-social support covers Men Support Groups and Give Back community activities. Training and upskilling include the Skills Assistance Subsidy Scheme (driving licences, logistics, safety, construction courses), Entrepreneurship Programme, Crafterpreneurship Programme, and the peer-led Titans ambassador programme. Infrastructure comprises the iCosy Hub (launched 2019) and the Just BrewIN social enterprise café (opened September 2024). Technology footprint is light: a website, basic mobile app, and standard social media presence — no AI, API, or SDK offerings are disclosed.

ISCOS's business model is grant- and donation-funded rather than revenue-generating from beneficiaries. Primary funding flows from the Singapore government via MHA, supplemented by corporate sponsorships (Singapore Teochew Foundation, BrillianceCapital, SONAX, Rotary Club of Singapore) and donations channeled through the IPC-status ReGen Fund. Just BrewIN represents the first material earned-income stream via food and beverage sales. All member-facing services are free. Effective 1 April 2026, ISCOS programmes and services will transition to operate under Yellow Ribbon Cares (YRCares), consolidating the reintegration mission under a new organisational identity.

Name

ISCOS

Legal name

Industrial and Services Co-operative Society Limited

Website

https://iscos.org.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ISCOS is a Singapore non-profit cooperative, founded in 1989 under the Ministry of Home Affairs, that delivers programmes and social services to help ex-offenders reintegrate into society and achieve economic independence.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services / Offender Rehabilitation

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Workforce Support Services & Case Management (Coaching, Wraparound) (EDAAAOAK)

Keywords

• Ex-offender reintegration
• Social rehabilitation services
• Prison aftercare support
• Peer mentorship programmes
• Community reintegration

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: As a cooperative society under the Ministry of Home Affairs, ISCOS receives government funding and grants to support its operations and programmes for ex-offender reintegration.
2. Social Enterprise Operations (Just BrewIN):

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ISCOS delivers a comprehensive suite of free reintegration services to ex-offenders in Singapore, including immediate financial and material aid (Gift of Hope welcome packages, Yellow Ribbon Enabling Fund), digital and life-skills training (Project ReConnect), mobile connectivity (Project GALCAL with Zero1), peer social support (Men Support Group), skills and entrepreneurship training (SASS, Entrepreneurship and Crafterpreneurship Programmes), and peer ambassador outreach through the Titans Programme. It also operates Just BrewIN, a social-enterprise café providing employment and training opportunities for ex-offenders.

Product overview

ISCOS is a social services cooperative organization offering a portfolio of reintegration support services for ex-offenders. The organization provides immediate assistance through the Gift of Hope welcome packages and Yellow Ribbon Enabling Fund, digital upskilling via Project ReConnect, mobile connectivity through Project Give A Line Change A Life, peer support through Men Support Groups, skills development via the Skills Assistance Subsidy Scheme and Entrepreneurship Programme, and mentorship through the ISCOS Titans Programme. ISCOS also operates social enterprises including the Just BrewIN café. All programmes and services will continue under Yellow Ribbon Cares (YRCares) from April 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gift of Hope (GOH) Welcome package for new ISCOS members consisting of a transport card and grocery vouchers to ease the financial burden on ex-offenders immediately upon release from prison.
• Yellow Ribbon Enabling Fund (YREF) Immediate financial assistance and external referrals to address ex-offenders' shelter, subsidised healthcare and counselling needs.
• Project ReConnect One-day community programme covering essential life and digital skills for ex-offenders after release, including use of SingPass, CPF, housing and access to health and social services.
• Project Give A Line, Change A Life (GALCAL) Collaboration with Zero1 providing free mobile data plans and smartphones to ex-offenders who served long sentences and face financial difficulties upon release, enabling digital connectivity for reintegration support.
• Men Support Group Monthly open group sessions providing a safe and encouraging space for male members to exchange stories, coping mechanisms and tips as they manage reintegration challenges.
• Skills Assistance Subsidy Scheme (SASS) Training subsidies that enable members to enhance their skills and employability, with a focus on driving licences, logistics, workplace safety and construction-related courses.
• Entrepreneurship Programme Training, guidance, business mentoring and funding support for members seeking to start home-based businesses, small start-ups or pursue self-employment.
• Crafterpreneurship Programme Entrepreneurship programme focused on craft-based skills and small business development for ISCOS members.
• ISCOS Titans Programme Peer ambassador programme in which reformed ex-offenders share their stories to inspire and deter others from crime through school talks, halfway-house visits and prison sessions.
• Just BrewIN Café Social-enterprise café opened by ISCOS that provides employment and training opportunities for ex-offenders while serving food and beverages to the community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served over 20,000 members since 1989
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ISCA (Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 November 2024Tripartite MOU signed with ISCA, YRSG and ISCOS to empower inmates, ex-offenders and their families through financial and employment training programmes.
• Just BrewINcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2024ISCOS opened its first cafe to help ex-offenders find employment and reintegrate into society. The cafe provides job opportunities and training for ex-members while serving as a community hub.
• BrillianceCapitalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 May 2023Collaboration on charity car wash event in conjunction with launch of Jervois Treasures on 7 May 2023. Proceeds went to NeuGen Charity.
• SONAX SingaporeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 May 2023Sponsored car wash products for charity car wash event organized with BrillianceCapital and ISCOS members.
• Rotary Club of SingaporeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023ISCOS met with Rotary Club of Singapore in September 2023, exploring collaboration opportunities for community engagement.
• Zero1coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Collaboration providing free mobile data plans and smartphones to ex-offenders who served long sentences and faced financial difficulties upon release. Helps ex-offenders stay connected for reintegration support.
• Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner for ex-offender reintegration programmes. MOU signed in November 2024 to provide financial and employment training for inmates and ex-offenders.
• Singapore Prison Services (SPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for in-care programmes. Titans participate in selected in-care programmes, and ISCOS collaborates on Project Resolute and prison outreach.
• NeuGencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity focused on empowering children and families of reformed offenders. Joint appreciation events held annually. Referrals between organizations for complementary services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• TOUCH Community Services: One of Singapore's largest multi-service social-service NGOs, running reintegration, family, and youth programmes. Comparable as a broad-incumbent social-services operator that touches the same ex-offender/family segments but across a much wider portfolio.
• National Council of Social Service (NCSS): Singapore's umbrella body for the social-service sector, funding and coordinating many of the agencies ISCOS works alongside. Comparable as a broad sector-level incumbent that shapes the funding/regulatory environment in which ISCOS operates.
• Fei Yue Community Services: Singapore social-services agency offering family, youth, and reintegration programmes. Comparable as a multi-service Singapore social-services incumbent with overlapping beneficiary segments and case-management practice.
• Singapore Prison Service (SPS): Government agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for correctional operations and in-care rehabilitation. Long-standing ISCOS partner. Comparable in mandate (rehabilitation of offenders) but as the upstream correctional authority rather than an aftercare provider.
• The Salvation Army Singapore: International faith-based NGO with a significant Singapore footprint in prison visitation, halfway houses, and reintegration support. Comparable on target population and reentry mission, but operating as a broad-incumbent across many social causes.
• Methodist Welfare Services: Singapore NGO providing a broad portfolio of family, elderly, and community services including some offender-related work. Comparable as a broad social-services operator in the SG market, though reintegration is a smaller part of its portfolio.

Direct peers

• NeuGen: Singapore charity dedicated to empowering children and families of reformed offenders — listed as a core strategic ISCOS partner with mutual referrals. Direct peer in the family-of-ex-offender niche that ISCOS supports via iCosy Hub.
• Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG): Singapore's flagship ex-offender rehabilitation programme under the Ministry of Home Affairs, explicitly listed as ISCOS's core strategic partner and the parent entity assuming ISCOS programmes under YRCares from April 2026. Directly comparable: same mission, same government mandate, same beneficiary population.
• Singapore Aftercare Association: Long-running Singapore charity providing aftercare and reintegration services to ex-offenders and their families. Comparable mission, target population, and service model (case management, employment assistance, family support), making it a direct functional peer in the SG reentry ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/iscos.org.sg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iscos

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 ISCOS