Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly turning to social commerce platforms such as TikTok to reach new users, as consumer discovery and buying habits shift decisively towards mobile-first channels.
While TikTok is often associated with entertainment, it has evolved into a powerful e-commerce platform where individuals and businesses compete for attention and spending through short-form videos and live streams.
TikTok now reaches over 460 million users across South-east Asia, and live-stream sales on the platform have increased 90 per cent year-on-year.
To successfully capitalise on this reach, SMEs must address new hurdles: consistently producing engaging content and ensuring their operations are resilient enough to handle sudden surges in demand.
Digital visibility alone is not enough – SMEs need both social commerce skills and financial resilience to thrive.
Singtel has positioned itself as a growth partner for SMEs in the new digital economy – not just as a connectivity provider, but as an enabler of the skills, infrastructure and capital that small businesses need to compete online.
Through SIM Academy, Singtel equips SMEs with the social commerce capabilities to win customers. And through GXS Bank – a digital bank owned by Singtel and Grab – it gives those same businesses the financial firepower to fulfil orders, manage cash flow and scale with confidence.
Together, these form an ecosystem where each piece reinforces the other: better social commerce skills drive more sales, and stronger financial tools ensure those sales translate into sustainable growth.
This approach was on show at the Singapore Dreamin’ event, where The SMB Creator Meet brought together SIM Academy’s TikTok Masterclass with money management insights from GXS Business Banking.
The programme engaged SME owners across diverse segments including lifestyle, retail, food and beverage, and media – a sign of how broadly the digital commerce opportunity now reaches across Singapore’s small business community.
Further educational events for suppliers are planned for May 2026.
For any SME eyeing social commerce growth, the first question is often: How do I get noticed? But the harder question – and the one that determines whether a business survives its own success – is: Can I afford to fulfil what I sell? Virality must be matched with viability.
A surge in orders can strain operations for SMEs without adequate cash flow management.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
When a live stream takes off, orders flood in: inventory needs replenishing, shipping costs mount, and customers expect quick delivery. Yet, platform settlement cycles of 30 days or longer can leave businesses caught between operational demands and incoming revenue.
Without sufficient working capital, even successful campaigns can strain operations.
This is where GXS Bank comes in. A licensed digital bank regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, GXS Bank was built from the ground up to serve the needs of businesses operating in the digital economy.
GXS Bank’s Business Banking arm offers approvals speedily for businesses, with credit lines that can be drawn down as needed and invoice financing that bridges payout delays.
From standby credit to invoice financing, GXS Bank offers SMEs a suite of flexible solutions designed to keep cash flowing at the speed of commerce.
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Invoice Financing: Convert unpaid invoices into immediate liquidity, bridging the cash flow gap created by lengthy platform settlement cycles. Access up to $1 million, at up to 80 per cent of the invoice value.
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GXS FlexiLoan Biz: A revolving line of credit of up to $150,000 – an always-on safety net to seize flash-sale opportunities or absorb sudden cost spikes, with no early repayment or annual fees.
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Working Capital Loan: Access up to $500,000 to fund inventory purchases, hire additional staff or manage unexpected emergencies when growth accelerates.
As part of the Singtel ecosystem, preferential rates are available to eligible Singtel and NCS suppliers on GXS Business Banking products*.
Strong financial foundations give SMEs the runway to invest in growth – and that growth starts with being found. Yet many businesses struggle to translate social media efforts into revenue.
The three-day Singtel x SIM Academy TikTok Masterclass equips participants with practical skills for social selling success.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Common pain points include understanding what content works, how often to post, and how to convert views into sales. Without expert guidance, establishing a TikTok presence can feel like shouting into a void.
To address this, Singtel and SIM Academy have rolled out the Singtel x SIM Academy TikTok Masterclass, an accelerator programme equipping SMEs with practical, hands-on skills for real-world social selling.
Over three days, participants learn to create engaging content, analyse performance, leverage live streaming for sales and optimise their TikTok Shop. The programme also covers cybersecurity, helping businesses protect their accounts and preserve customer trust.
A key feature is exclusive access to Singtel’s TikTok Creator House at 313@somerset.
Built to give SMEs access to the same production capabilities as established content creators, the Creator House is equipped with 4K cameras, wireless microphones and production servers, a dedicated live-streaming booth and a multipurpose event space for product launches and brand activations.
Singtel has partnered with SMEs across a range of industries to use the Creator House as a launchpad, helping businesses without the budget or expertise to produce professional-grade content and reach new audiences.
Eligible SMEs can receive up to 90 per cent course fee funding under the Enhanced Training Support for SMEs scheme. As part of the Singtel ecosystem, preferential rates on GXS Business Banking products are available to Singtel and NCS suppliers*.
For SMEs navigating the digital economy, the advantage lies not in any single tool but in having the right ecosystem behind you.
Singtel brings the infrastructure and training to build a social commerce presence; GXS Bank provides the financial resilience to sustain it; and SMEs bring the products, passion and ambition to grow.
Together, this three-way partnership is designed to help Singapore’s small businesses move beyond visibility, turning online traction into long-term business success.
Find out how GXS Business Banking can boost your business. Enjoy a new suite of Singtel ecosystem perks when you open a new GXS Biz Account with GXS Bank.
Footnote:
*Limited time offer, subject to associated terms and conditions.
Disclaimer:
GXS Business Banking consists of products and services provided by GXS Bank and GXS Capital. GXS Bank holds a banking license and is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. GXS Capital operates under the legal entity Validus Capital Pte. Ltd. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of GXS Bank), which holds a Capital Markets Services license for dealing in Capital Markets Products which are securities, issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The GXS Biz Account and GXS FlexiLoan Biz are provided by GXS Bank. The Invoice Financing and Working Capital Loan are provided by GXS Capital. GXS Bank and GXS Capital terms and conditions apply.
Deposit Insurance Scheme: Singapore dollar deposits of non-bank depositors are insured by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation, for up to S$100,000 in aggregate per depositor per Scheme member by law. Foreign currency deposits, dual currency investments, structured deposits and other investment products are not insured.
GXS Bank and GXS Capital are separate entities and are not associated with the businesses of Grab, Singtel, or their entities.
