Setting up a business is a risky step; however, in Singapore, you are not alone. Singapore is considered to have one of the most pro-business environments in the world and is well-supported by the government. The challenge is not the idea, but the initial capital, as many founders know.

Grants to start a small company in Singapore are designed to lower the barrier to entry for innovative startups. First-time founder or experienced business wanting to pivot: either way, these grants offer the non-dilutive capital necessary to grow. This guide is a breakdown of the best startup grants in Singapore that can be secured in 2026 and how you can use these grants in your new business.

Why Singapore Supports Small Businesses

The government of Singapore regards SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) as the economic support. By providing government funding in Singapore, the state aims to:

• Drive Innovation: Backing Deep Tech and AI-based solutions to make the country competitive.
• Promote Entrepreneurship: Mentor and fund first-time founders, with a safety net.
• Contribute to Global Growth: Assist local firms to expand out of the domestic market to the entire Asia and the world.

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Top Grants to Start a Small Company in Singapore

A number of flagship schemes remain the leading source of SME grants in Singapore (2026).

Startup SG Founder

The Startup SG Founder grant is the place to be for first-time entrepreneurs.

• Funding: Co-matching up to 50,000 in capital.
• The Starting Track: 12-month mentorship program with Accredited Mentor Partners (AMPs) to help you through the precarious first year of business.
• Important Eligibility: You have to be a first-time founder and have to dedicate all your time to the business.

Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

Enterprise Development Grant Singapore is created to help companies that are willing to take things to the next level. It has three key areas, which include Core Capabilities, Innovation, Productivity, and Market Access.

• Level of Support: Demurrage of up to 50 percent (and up to 70 percent in the case of sustainability-related projects) of the qualifying project costs (until March 2026).
• Application: Can be applied to large-scale projects such as process redesigning, automation, or expansion overseas.

Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

In case your startup requires the use of off-the-shelf technology, the most effective option is the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

• Scope: Endorses pre-tested IT solutions (accounting, HR, CRM) and equipment.
• 2026 Update: The grant has been increased to cover more AI-enabled solutions with a limit of $30,000 per company in a 5-year timeframe.

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Eligibility Criteria for Business Grants

Although there are rules and conditions associated with each grant, most of the Singapore business grants have a common baseline grant eligibility in Singapore:

1. Incorporated in Singapore: Your company should be a registered ACRA entity (Private Limited).
2. Local Shareholding: Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents (PRs) are required to hold at least 30% of the shares.
3. SME Status: The group’s annual turnover must not exceed 100 million, or the group’s employment must not exceed 200 employees.
4. Financial Viability: You will be required to show that the company possesses the paid-up capital to see the project prior to the grant being released.

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How to Apply for Business Grants in Singapore

Business Grants Portal (BGP) has eased the process of grant application in Singapore.

Register Your Company

You are not able to apply for grants on a personal basis. Create your Pte Ltd and receive your Unique Entity Number (UEN) with the use of company registration in Singapore services.

Select the Appropriate Grant

Evaluate your needs. Will you create a new technology (Startup SG Tech) or simply purchase accounting software (PSG)? It is essential to align the correct grant with your objective to obtain it.

Prepare Documents

The standard documents needed for grants in Singapore are:

• Latest ACRA BizFile.
• Audited financial statements (or management accounts in case of new firms).
• Project proposal and quotations from vendors.

Submit Application

Enter your CorpPass to the BGP. The average time spent on the review of most applications is 8-12 weeks.

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Benefits of Business Grants for Startups

Securing funding for small businesses in Singapore offers more than just cash:

• Less Financial Load: Reduction in your burn rate during R&D or the entry stage.
• Promote Innovation: Grants such as Startup SG Tech offer up to $250,000 (POC) or 500,000 (POV) of proprietary technology to innovate, and take the risk that other investors would avoid.
• Credibility: A government grant is a stamp of approval that will help your startup gain popularity among VCs and angel investors.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Grants

• Initiating the Project Early: The vast majority of grants (such as EDG and PSG) insist you not sign contracts or make payments prior to receiving grant approval.
• Unfinished Applications: The most frequent reasons for rejection are missing documentation of finances or imprecise project deliverables.
• Misplaced Vendor Selection: In the case of PSG, you have to select pre-approved vendors. In the case of EDG, your advisors should possess certain certifications (such as TR 43 or SS 680).

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Tips to Increase Approval Chances

In order to learn how to secure business grants in Singapore, you need to work on your Value Proposition:

• Strong Business Plan: Demonstrate how the grant will drive increased revenue or the creation of employment opportunities among Singaporeans.
• Measurable Results: Replace with: improve efficiency with: reduce manual processing time by 40 percent.
• Professional Advice: Exposing yourself to a startup consulting firm in Singapore would also assist in making your proposal hit all the right notes with the auditors.

Why Work with Business Consultants for Grant Applications

It may be a full-time job to negotiate the BGP and write 20-page proposals. Business consulting in Singapore firms provides:

• Professional Advice: They are aware of what Enterprise Singapore wants in a particular year.
• Greater Approval Probability: They make sure that all the documents needed to make grants in Singapore are properly formatted.
• Time-Saving: You are concerned with developing your product, and they deal with the bureaucracy.

Get professional assistance to capitalize your business.

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Conclusion: Start Your Business with the Right Funding

Singapore is committed to its startup ecosystem. There has never been a more opportune moment to apply for grants to start a small company in Singapore than with the improvements it has made in 2026. With such funds, you can mitigate risk and have the resources needed to make a great idea a global success story.

Get the appropriate grant and begin your business today in Singapore.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Is the Startup SG Founder grant a loan?

Ans: No. It is a grant, i.e., you do not need to repay it. It is, however, a matching grant; you have to make a co-investment of some kind (usually 10,000-20,000) with the government.

Q2. Is a foreigner eligible for such grants?

Ans: Although the company should possess at least 30 percent of local shareholding, foreigners are allowed to own the remaining 70 percent. In the case of the Startup SG Founder grant, the principal applicant has to be a Singapore Citizen or PR.

Q3. What is the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant?

Ans: The MRA is targeted at companies interested in going abroad. It provides up to 70 percent funding (limited to 100,000 per new market) to assist with market research, establishment, and promotion in foreign markets in 2026.

Q4. What is the time taken to get the money?

Ans: Singapore grants tend to be reimbursement-based. You pay the vendors, and then file your claims with the BGP. It is normally paid in 4-6 weeks after the claim is accepted.