Business Grants in Singapore for Foreign Companies

Singapore's government invests heavily in business grants and incentives to attract and support entrepreneurs. The availability of these grants is one of the country's major advantages for company setup. 

However, accessing them requires understanding the eligibility rules that vary based on your company's ownership structure. This guide explores all active business grants available in Singapore, clarifies which ones apply to foreign companies, and explains the pathways to access government funding.

Can Foreign Companies Access Business Grants in Singapore?

Foreign companies can access business grants in Singapore. However, the level of funding, depends entirely on your corporate structure and equity distribution.

To qualify for standard cash grants, a Singapore-registered business must generally meet the following baseline:

• Local Equity: At least 30% of the company shares must be held by Singapore citizens or permanent residents.
• Company Size: The group must have an annual sales turnover under SGD 100 million or employ fewer than 200 workers.
• Operational Footprint: The business must be registered and actively operating inside Singapore.

If your corporate strategy requires 100% foreign ownership, you are not shut out of government support. While you may not qualify for standard cash-reimbursement grants, you can access significant tax incentives, co-investment schemes, and fast-track hiring programs. We cover more on these in the sections below.

The Startup SG Founder Grant (SSGF)

The Startup SG Founder Grant is the main Enterprise Singapore scheme designed primarily for local entrepreneurs. It carries stricter ownership rules than other grants, requiring majority local shareholding (51%) rather than the 30% threshold that applies to most other Enterprise Singapore programs. While foreign nationals can still participate, the structure makes this grant impractical for foreign-led ventures.

The grant provides up to SGD 50,000 in matching funds on a 1:1 basis and mandatory mentorship through Accredited Mentor Partners (AMPs). To qualify, your company must meet the following criteria:

• The main applicant must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
• At least 51% of company shares must be held by Singapore Citizens or PRs
• The main applicant must be a first-time founder with no prior ACRA-registered private limited company
• The company must be incorporated for less than 6 months

Foreign nationals can participate as co-founders or minority shareholders with up to 49% equity, but they cannot serve as the main applicant or retain operational majority. Most therefore skip the Startup SG Founder program and focus on the broader range of grants that work with 30% local shareholding. We cover these in the following sections.

Duration: 2 to 4 weeks for AMP endorsement, followed by 4 to 8 weeks for grant approval.

Grants Requiring Local Partnership (30% Local Shareholding)

This is where the bulk of Singapore's grant opportunities sit. Once your company has at least 30% local shareholding, you unlock access to Enterprise Singapore's full grant portfolio. The 30% requirement isn’t necessarily a barrier. You can bring in a local co-founder, business advisor, or investor as a shareholder and still maintain operational control of your business.

The grants below represent Singapore's most active business development programs. 

1. Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

PSG helps you adopt pre-approved digital tools and technology solutions quickly. It is the most popular grant among foreign-owned SMEs because of its straightforward application process and fast approval timeline.

PSG covers up to 50% of qualifying costs, capped at SGD 30,000 (~USD 23,000) per company per year. The grant is restricted to solutions on Enterprise Singapore's pre-approved vendor list, which spans accounting software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, cybersecurity tools, point-of-sale systems, and e-commerce platforms. 

PSG sits under IMDA's broader SMEs Go Digital initiative, which curates and pre-approves the digital solutions available to applicants. Key requirements include:

• Singapore-registered business entity
• At least 30% local shareholding
• Group annual turnover under SGD 100 million or fewer than 200 employees
• Solution must be deployed in Singapore operations

Duration: 4 to 6 weeks.

2. Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

EDG is Singapore's most flexible business transformation grant. Unlike PSG, which limits you to pre-approved digital tools, EDG funds custom projects you scope around your specific business needs. 

For new foreign companies in the first one to three years of Singapore operations, EDG covers the heavy-lift work of building a regional base. Common use cases include:

• Localizing your business model for Southeast Asian markets
• Setting up financial management and HR systems for the local entity
• Developing a regional brand identity
• Optimizing supply chains for your Singapore operations
• Innovation and productivity work, such as automation and process redesign
• Market access initiatives like standards adoption and intellectual property strategy.

The grant covers up to 50% of qualifying project costs for SMEs (70% for sustainability-focused projects), with no fixed maximum funding amount. Key requirements include:

• Singapore-registered business entity
• At least 30% local shareholding
• Group annual turnover under SGD 100 million or fewer than 200 employees
• Project must be new and not yet commenced

Applications require a detailed project proposal and quotations from Enterprise Singapore's pre-approved consultants. Keep in mind funding is generally disbursed on a reimbursement basis after project completion. You will need working capital to cover upfront costs.

Duration: 8 to 12 weeks.

3. Market Readiness Assistance Grant (MRA)

MRA is Singapore's primary support for companies expanding overseas. The grant became significantly more attractive in April 2026 when support increased from 50% to 70% co-funding, capped at SGD 100,000 per new market.

MRA covers three categories of overseas expansion activities, each with its own sub-cap:

Eligibility requirements for this grant include:

• Singapore-registered business entity
• At least 30% local shareholding
• Group annual turnover under SGD 100 million or fewer than 200 employees
• Annual sales in target market must not have exceeded SGD 100,000 in any of the preceding three years
• Application must be submitted before any vendor contracts or commitments

Duration: 6 to 8 weeks.

4. Startup SG Tech

Startup SG Tech funds technology validation projects for startups developing proprietary, differentiated technology. The grant supports two project stages: 

• Proof-of-Concept (POC) projects up to SGD 250,000
• Proof-of-Value (POV) projects up to SGD 500,000. 

The grant targets startups working in deep tech sectors, including artificial intelligence, biotech, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, fintech, medtech, and clean tech. Your technology must be genuinely novel, not an adaptation of existing solutions.

To qualify for this grant, you must:

• Be a Singapore-registered private limited company, less than 10 years old
• Have at least 30% local shareholding
• Meet group annual turnover under SGD 100 million or have fewer than 200 employees
• Demonstrate proprietary technology with a clear commercialization pathway
• Have a technical team with relevant expertise

The application process undergoes rigorous technical and commercial evaluation. This is one of the most substantial grants available to foreign-founded tech startups.

Duration: 8 to 12 weeks.

5. Startup SG Equity

Startup SG Equity works differently from cash grants. The government co-invests directly into your startup alongside private investors, matching their investment dollar-for-dollar. This means more capital for your business without further dilution to private investors.

The program supports two stages: 

1. Early-stage co-investment up to SGD 2 million
2. Growth-stage co-investment up to SGD 12 million. 

Your startup must already have secured private investor commitment to qualify. Eligibility requirements include:

• Singapore-registered private limited company
• Innovative, scalable technology focus
• Private investor backing already in place
• Strong commercial traction and team

Because this is an equity investment program rather than a grant, the 30% local shareholding rule applies more flexibly. The government's primary concern is the quality of your investors and business fundamentals.

Duration: Negotiated based on investor engagement. Typically, 2 to 4 months from initial deal discussions to final co-investment.

6. Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG)

EEG supports companies investing in energy-efficient equipment to reduce operational costs and carbon footprint. The grant is particularly relevant for foreign-owned businesses in the food services, retail, food manufacturing, and manufacturing sectors, where energy consumption is significant.

EEG covers up to 70% of qualifying equipment costs, capped at SGD 30,000 per company per year. The grant applies to pre-approved energy-efficient equipment such as LED lighting, energy-efficient HVAC systems, refrigeration units, and kitchen equipment.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Singapore-registered business entity
• At least 30% local shareholding
• Operating in eligible sectors (food services, food manufacturing, retail, manufacturing)
• Equipment must be on the pre-approved EEG list

EEG works similarly to PSG in that you select from pre-approved equipment categories rather than proposing custom projects. This keeps the application process straightforward.

Duration: 4 to 6 weeks.

7. T-Up (Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading)

T-Up is administered by Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The program seconds A*STAR research scientists and engineers directly into your company to lead R&D projects for up to two years.

Unlike cash grants, T-Up provides talent. A*STAR covers up to 70% of the researcher's salary, capped at SGD 100,000 per year. This makes the program valuable for foreign companies that want to leverage Singapore's research talent without hiring full-time R&D headcount.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Singapore-registered company with at least 30% local shareholding
• A defined R&D project with clear technical objectives
• Capacity to integrate a seconded researcher into your operations
• Commitment to absorb the researcher's remaining salary portion

T-Up suits foreign companies in deep tech, biotech, advanced manufacturing, and clean tech that want to validate new technology or build internal R&D capability with experienced talent.

Duration: 8 to 12 weeks, including A*STAR researcher matching and project scoping.

Grants for 100% Foreign-Owned Companies

If you want to maintain full foreign ownership without bringing in local shareholders, there are four primary pathways open to you. These programs work through different mechanisms than standard cash grants and typically suit larger investments, talent acquisition, or specific operational needs.

1. SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)

SFEC is the most accessible support program for 100% foreign-owned companies in Singapore. It provides a one-off credit of SGD 10,000 to cover up to 90% of out-of-pocket expenses for approved business transformation and training programs.

The catch is the employment requirement. Your company must have:

• Employed at least three local employees (Singapore Citizens or PRs)
• Made Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions for them in the qualifying period

This effectively means you must establish real Singapore operations with local hires before claiming the SFEC grant. SFEC awards apply automatically based on your CPF contribution records. You do not need to submit a separate application, though you do need to identify eligible programs and claim the credit through the Business Grants Portal.

Duration: Automatic eligibility notification. Claims for eligible programs process within 4 to 6 weeks.

2. EDB Customized Incentive Packages

The Economic Development Board (EDB) negotiates tailor-made incentive packages with foreign companies making substantial investments in Singapore. Unlike Enterprise Singapore grants with published amounts, EDB packages combine multiple benefits structured around your specific business. Packages typically include:

• Tax holidays or reduced corporate tax rates
• Investment allowances on capital expenditure
• Direct grants for research, development, and training
• Work permit facilitation for foreign specialists
• Land and industrial space assistance

These generally target companies investing SGD 10 million or more, especially in priority sectors like semiconductors, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, fintech, digital infrastructure, and renewable energy. The negotiation process is rigorous, but the resulting package often delivers more value than standardized grants.

Duration: 3 to 6 months for negotiation and finalization.

3. Tax-Based Incentives (Pioneer Certificate Incentive and Development & Expansion Incentive)

These tax-based incentives are administered through EDB and offer substantial corporate tax reductions for qualifying activities.

• The Pioneer Certificate Incentive (PC) provides corporate tax exemption on qualifying income for an initial period of up to 15 years. It targets companies introducing new substantive activities to Singapore in priority sectors.
• The Development & Expansion Incentive (DEI) offers a reduced corporate tax rate of 5% or 10% on incremental income from qualifying expansion activities. This works well for companies expanding existing Singapore operations.

Both incentives require significant investment commitments and demonstrate substantial economic contribution. You apply directly to EDB and must commit to specific investment, employment, and value-added benchmarks.

Duration: 4 to 6 months for application review and approval.

4. Tech@SG Programme

Tech@SG is particularly valuable for foreign-owned tech startups establishing regional hubs that need critical talent unavailable in Singapore's local market. It is not a cash grant, but it solves a critical operational challenge for foreign-owned tech companies: hiring foreign talent. 

The programme is jointly administered by EDB and Enterprise Singapore and provides company-level endorsement to Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for streamlined Employment Pass approvals. Once endorsed, your company can hire up to 10 foreign core team members over two years with significantly reduced rejection risk. The endorsement also covers the first renewal of each Employment Pass, extending validity to three-year periods.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Singapore-registered company operating in a technology sector
• Demonstrable growth trajectory and credible business model
• Track record of fundraising from established investors
• Clear hiring strategy for foreign core team members

Duration: 6 to 8 weeks for company endorsement. Individual Employment Pass applications process separately within 1 to 3 weeks once endorsement is granted.

How to Apply for Business Grants in Singapore

Applying for grants in Singapore follows a structured process that varies depending on the administering agency. Enterprise Singapore administers most cash grants through the Business Grants Portal, while EDB, A*STAR, and SkillsFuture Singapore manage their respective programs through separate channels. 

Emerhub can serve as your licensed Corporate Service Provider (CSP) and compliance partner. Our local experts can verify your eligibility and manage the application process on your behalf. Here's an overview of the overall process:

1. Determine your company structure and grant eligibility. Decide whether your company will have local shareholding (30% minimum) or remain 100% foreign-owned. Local shareholding opens immediate access to EnterpriseSG's standardized grant portfolio (PSG, EDG, MRA). Full foreign ownership, on the other hand, requires EDB engagement or tax deduction schemes. This decision shapes your entire funding strategy.
2. Identify the right grant for your business stage. We help you match your immediate operational needs to the correct grant. Early-stage teams with local co-founders can leverage Startup SG programs. Established SMEs can utilize the EDG for business transformation, the PSG for immediate technology adoption, or the MRA for regional expansion. High-value foreign investors should bypass standardized portals and engage the EDB directly.
3. Prepare detailed project documentation. Singapore grants are highly competitive and require clear project definitions. We help you prepare a thorough project proposal outlining the specific business challenge, project milestones, expected outcomes, and a detailed budget breakdown. For the EDG and MRA, we can help engage a certified consultant to scope the work and provide formal quotations. EDB incentives require a comprehensive, multi-year business and investment plan.
4. Submit your application through the Business Grants Portal (BGP). Before applying, we register your corporate digital identity through CorpPass. Once set up, we’ll then manage your application via the Business Grants Portal (BGP). Here, we prepare and notarize all mandatory documents, including financial statements, quotations, proposals, and business plans. 
5. Plan your cash flow for a reimbursement-based model. Most business grants in Singapore operate on a reimbursement basis. This means your company must have the financial runway to fund the entire project upfront. You only receive the grant disbursement after completing the approved project milestones, paying your vendors in full, and passing an independent external audit. Expect a processing timeline of 4 to 12 weeks from application submission to formal approval, depending on the complexity of your project and type of grant.

Emerhub helps you navigate Singapore’s grant application processes and compliance requirements. Our local team verifies your eligibility, prepares the documentation, and engages the relevant agencies so you can focus on building your business. We also provide company registration services and ongoing compliance support for your company.

Exploring business grants for your company in Singapore? Schedule a free consultation with our local team to learn more about how we can support you.