Singapore is one of the most grant-generous countries in the world for startups. The government — primarily through Enterprise Singapore — offers a wide range of grants that can meaningfully reduce your burn rate in the first few years. The challenge isn't that grants don't exist; it's knowing which ones apply to your business and how to apply properly.
This guide covers every major grant available to Singapore-incorporated startups in 2026, with eligibility criteria, quantum, and application channels clearly explained. We've excluded schemes that have been discontinued or merged into broader programmes.
1. Startup SG Founder Grant
The flagship grant for first-time entrepreneurs. Startup SG Founder provides S$50,000 in startup capital to eligible founders incorporating a new Singapore company for the first time.
Quantum: S$50,000 (S$40,000 from Enterprise Singapore + S$10,000 from founder)
Match requirement: Founder must inject S$10,000 of own capital
Disbursement: Milestone-based over 12 months
Administered by: Accredited Mentor Partners (AMPs) on behalf of Enterprise Singapore
Who Can Apply?
- Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents incorporating a new company for the first time
- No prior experience running a company (first-time entrepreneurs)
- The proposed business must have a scalable model — pure trading, F&B, or lifestyle businesses typically do not qualify
- Company must be incorporated in Singapore with at least 30% shareholding by the applying individual
How to Apply
Applications go through an Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP), not directly to Enterprise Singapore. AMPs include organisations like NUS Enterprise, Temasek Polytechnic, and various incubators. Each AMP evaluates your business plan and decides whether to sponsor your application. Find the current list of AMPs at the Startup SG website.
The S$50,000 is not a cash payout to your personal account. It must be used for qualifying business expenses: salaries, office rent, equipment, software, marketing, and professional services. You will be required to submit invoices and receipts to your AMP.
2. Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)
The Enterprise Development Grant is Enterprise Singapore's broadest grant for established and growing companies. It co-funds projects that help companies upgrade capabilities, build resilience, and expand into new markets.
Three Pillars of EDG
- Core Capabilities: Business strategy, financial management, human capital development, service excellence, brand and marketing development
- Innovation & Productivity: Process redesign, automation, product development, technology adoption
- Market Access: Overseas market set-up, mergers and acquisitions, standards adoption and certification
| Company Type | Maximum Co-Funding |
|---|---|
| SMEs (≤ 200 employees or ≤ S$100M turnover) | Up to 50% of qualifying costs |
| Non-SMEs | Up to 30% of qualifying costs |
Qualifying Costs Under EDG
Consultant fees, software, equipment (where applicable), and certain professional services related to the approved project scope. Staff costs directly tied to the project may qualify in some categories.
Eligibility
- Registered and operating in Singapore
- At least 30% local shareholding
- In a financially viable position to carry out the project
Applications are submitted via Business Grants Portal (BGP). EDG reviews typically take 4–8 weeks.
3. Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)
The Productivity Solutions Grant supports adoption of pre-approved IT solutions and equipment to improve business productivity. It is the fastest grant to access because Enterprise Singapore has pre-vetted a list of qualifying solutions — you do not need to justify your technology choice from scratch.
Quantum: Up to 50% of qualifying solution costs
Solutions catalogue: Pre-approved list on Business Grants Portal
Sectors covered: Most industries including retail, food services, logistics, professional services, construction
What Qualifies?
Pre-approved solutions include accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks), HR and payroll systems, CRM platforms, e-commerce solutions, cybersecurity tools, and inventory management systems. The Business Grants Portal maintains the full catalogue — check it before purchasing any software as the list changes.
Eligibility
- Registered and operating in Singapore
- At least 30% local shareholding
- Turnover not exceeding S$100 million per year or employment not exceeding 200 employees
- Purchase/lease/subscription of pre-approved solution
4. Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant
The Market Readiness Assistance Grant helps Singapore companies defray costs of expanding overseas for the first time. This is particularly relevant for startups that have proven product-market fit locally and are ready to internationalise.
| Activity | Co-Funding | Cap Per Market |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas market promotion | Up to 50% | S$100,000 |
| Overseas business development | Up to 50% | S$100,000 |
| Overseas market set-up | Up to 50% | S$100,000 |
Maximum support per company is S$100,000 per new market. Qualifying costs include third-party professional fees for market research, in-market representation, and business matching. You cannot claim for staff costs or your own travel expenses.
5. Startup SG Tech
Startup SG Tech is targeted at deep-tech and technology-driven startups commercialising proprietary technology. It provides non-dilutive proof-of-concept (POC) and proof-of-value (POV) funding.
POC Grant: Up to S$250,000 (to validate technology concept)
POV Grant: Up to S$500,000 (to validate commercial viability)
Focus areas: Advanced manufacturing, agri-food tech, health & biomedical, smart urban solutions, sustainability
Eligibility
- Singapore-incorporated company, less than 5 years old
- Core IP developed in Singapore or to be developed/registered in Singapore
- Technology must be proprietary (not a resale or distribution of existing products)
- Less than S$5 million in paid-up capital at time of application
Applications are submitted through Enterprise Singapore. Expect a longer review process (2–3 months) compared to PSG due to technical evaluation.
6. Startup SG Equity
Startup SG Equity is a co-investment programme, not a pure grant. Enterprise Singapore co-invests alongside qualified third-party investors in innovative, high-growth startups.
- Enterprise Singapore matches qualified investor investments at 7:3 (EnterpriseSG:investor) for first-time recipients
- Only available if you have a qualified lead investor who has committed first
- Total co-investment typically ranges from S$500,000 to S$2 million per company
- Focus on deep-tech and innovation-driven businesses
This is not a grant in the traditional sense — it is equity financing. EnterpriseSG becomes a minority shareholder in your company.
7. SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SEC)
The SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit provides S$10,000 in enterprise-level credits for eligible employers to defray out-of-pocket costs for workforce transformation. This covers skills training, job redesign, and consultancy costs.
- Eligible employers: Singapore-registered businesses that have contributed Skills Development Levy (SDL) for at least three months
- Credits automatically loaded — no application required to receive credits
- Use credits on approved programmes listed on the SkillsFuture portal
- Credits must be used for employer-sponsored training, not individual courses
8. Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) and Hiring Support
While the main JGI scheme from the COVID era has ended, Enterprise Singapore and MOM periodically run targeted hiring incentives for specific groups. In 2026, key wage support programmes include:
- Senior Employment Credit (SEC): Wage offsets for employers hiring Singaporeans aged 55 and above
- Enabling Employment Credit (EEC): Wage offsets for hiring persons with disabilities
- Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS): Government co-funds wage increases for lower-wage workers meeting Progressive Wage requirements
9. IMDA Grants (Technology and Media Sector)
If your startup operates in infocomm, media, or digital technology, IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority) runs separate grant schemes:
- Open Innovation Platform (OIP): Match innovators with enterprises to solve business challenges; funded pilots available
- PIXEL Labs Access: Subsidised access to AR/VR production labs and media facilities
- SMEs Go Digital: Sector-specific digital transformation roadmaps with funded implementation support
10. Research and Innovation Grants (A*STAR, NRF)
For deep-tech startups commercialising research:
- A*STAR Industry Alignment Fund: Funds research collaborations between companies and A*STAR research institutes
- NRF Central Gap Fund: Bridges the "valley of death" between research and commercialisation for technology spinouts
- Enterprise Development Fund (EDF) by NRF: Supports licensing and commercialisation of NRF-funded IP
How to Apply: The Business Grants Portal
Most Enterprise Singapore grants (EDG, PSG, MRA) are applied for through the Business Grants Portal (BGP) at businessgrants.gov.sg. You'll need:
- Corppass login (your company's digital identity)
- Company UEN and basic corporate information
- Project proposal or scope of work
- Vendor quotations (for cost justification)
- Financial statements if the grant is above certain thresholds
For almost all Enterprise Singapore grants, you must get Letter of Offer (LOO) approval before incurring the costs. Retroactive claims — paying for something and then applying — are generally not accepted. Start the application before signing contracts with vendors or consultants.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Paying before approval: Most grants require LOO before costs are incurred
- Using related-party vendors: Payments to related parties (directors, shareholders, family) are typically not qualifying costs
- Incomplete documentation: Maintain invoices, contracts, and delivery evidence — audits happen
- Wrong grant for the stage: PSG is for SMEs; Startup SG Tech is for deep-tech startups with proprietary IP — applying to the wrong scheme wastes time
- Missing the grant cap: Each grant has a maximum claim per company per year — stack grants strategically across different financial years
Stacking Grants
You can and should apply for multiple grants if your projects qualify under different schemes. For example, a startup could simultaneously use:
- PSG for accounting software implementation
- EDG for a strategic market expansion plan
- MRA for an overseas market entry project
- SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit for staff training
Each grant covers different cost categories and project types — they are not mutually exclusive. However, you cannot claim the same cost item under more than one grant scheme.
Conclusion
Singapore's grant ecosystem is genuinely well-funded and accessible. The PSG and MRA grants in particular are relatively straightforward to claim for SMEs that qualify. The key is applying before you incur costs, working with reputable vendors who understand grant requirements, and maintaining proper documentation throughout the project. If you need help navigating the application process or identifying which grants apply to your business, Karman's corporate services team can point you in the right direction.
Official Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Startup SG Founder is a S$50,000 startup grant co-funded by Enterprise Singapore for first-time entrepreneurs who incorporate a new Singapore company. You apply through an Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP), and the grant requires a S$10,000 capital injection from the founder (Enterprise Singapore contributes S$40,000). The S$50,000 must be used for qualifying business expenses.
Most Enterprise Singapore grants (EDG, PSG, MRA) are open to Singapore-registered companies regardless of the founder's nationality, provided the business has a substantive presence in Singapore. The Startup SG Founder grant has stricter conditions — the applying individual must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.
The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) supports Singapore companies in upgrading capabilities, innovating, and expanding overseas. It co-funds qualifying project costs (consultancy, software, equipment) at up to 50% for SMEs. EDG covers three pillars: Core Capabilities, Innovation & Productivity, and Market Access.
Grants like PSG, EDG, and MRA are not repayable — they are non-dilutive subsidies. However, Enterprise Singapore can claw back grant money if you fail to meet conditions (e.g., disbanding the company within the grant period, using funds for non-qualifying expenses, or misrepresenting information in your application). Startup SG Equity is co-investment, not a grant, and EnterpriseSG receives equity in return.