Startup Grants in Singapore 2026: EDGE, Startup SG and More

You start a company in Singapore and within weeks someone mentions PSG. Then EDG. Then MRA. And now EDGE, which replaced three of them on 30 September 2026. There are just so many acronyms! Singapore's grant landscape is one of the most generous in the region, but the support that matters for your business depends on what you're trying to do. This guide is the version we wish someone had handed us when we started Harvest.

What counts as a "startup grant" in Singapore?

A startup grant in Singapore is government co-funding for a specific business project, paid as a percentage subsidy or fixed quantum, with no obligation to repay if you deliver what you applied for. Most schemes sit under Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and are accessed via the Business Grants Portal (BGP). Grants are different from loans (e.g. Enterprise Financing Scheme: repayable, with risk-share from the government) and from tax incentives (e.g. Double Tax Deduction for Internationalisation: reduce your tax bill, not your project cost). Grant approval generally requires you to apply before signing vendor contracts or paying deposits, so the planning calendar matters more than the application form.

The 2026 headline: PSG, EDG and MRA are now the EDGE grant

If you read only one section, read this one.

What is the EDGE grant? The EDGE grant is Enterprise Singapore's main business grant. It replaced the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) and Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant on 30 September 2026. It supports SMEs at up to 70% and larger companies at up to 50%, depending on the activity. Each company can receive up to S$100,000 a year across all activities, of which up to S$30,000 can go to digital solutions. The cap resets every 1 April.

EDGE covers areas including automation and digitalisation, business strategy, financial management, innovation, internationalisation, standards and sustainability. You apply on the Business Grants Portal, and for activities with pre-approved vendors (like accounting software), you choose from that list. Details are on Enterprise Singapore's EDGE grant page, its EDGE FAQ and its Budget 2026 page.

Already applied under PSG, EDG or MRA? Applications and projects already submitted continue to be processed, and you can submit your claim once the project is complete. No new applications are accepted under the old schemes.

Who can apply? The eligibility baseline

EDGE and the schemes it replaced share a common baseline:

• Registered and operating in Singapore
• At least 30% local equity held directly or indirectly by Singapore Citizens or PRs (Startup SG Founder requires 51%)
• SME status (group annual turnover ≤ S$100 million, or group employment ≤ 200) determines your support level; SMEs get higher support on many EDGE activities
• Financially viable at the point of application
• Project must be new, not commenced or paid for before applying

Below 30% local shareholding, your company isn't eligible for EDGE at all. Check your cap table before scoping the project.

At a glance: Singapore's major SME grants in 2026

Note: PSG, EDG and MRA closed to new applications on 29 September 2026. EEG is a separate scheme and was not merged into EDGE.

If you still have unused SFEC, it can cover part of your residual out-of-pocket spend after your main grant, but final SFEC claims are due by 30 November 2026. You can't double-fund the same cost item.

EDGE for digital tools (formerly PSG)

For accounting, HR, CRM and other software, EDGE picks up where PSG left off. It covers up to 50% of pre-approved digital solutions, within a S$30,000 yearly digital-solutions cap. Only pre-approved solutions and vendors qualify, so check the listing on SMEs Go Digital before you commit.

Harvest is a pre-approved vendor, with five EDGE Grant for Xero packages covering subscription, setup, training and migration. See our EDGE grant for Xero guide for the step-by-step.

EDGE for projects (formerly EDG)

EDG's project-based support now sits under EDGE: strategy, financial management, process redesign, innovation, standards and sustainability. Support levels vary by activity, up to 70% for SMEs. Eligible costs typically include third-party consultancy, project-specific software and equipment, and internal manpower allocated to the project.

Project-based EDGE applications aren't fill-in-a-form schemes. Projects are scoped, costed and submitted as proposals via the Business Grants Portal. Check the relevant activity on the EDGE grant page for current rates and processing times.

EDGE for overseas expansion (formerly MRA)

MRA's support for entering a new overseas market now sits under EDGE's internationalisation area. Under MRA, SMEs could claim up to 70% of eligible costs, capped at S$100,000 per new market. Under EDGE, overseas activities share the S$100,000 yearly cap with everything else, so plan your digital, capability and market-entry projects together. Check the internationalisation activities on the EDGE grant page for current rates and conditions.

Startup SG Founder and Startup SG Tech

Startup SG Founder supports first-time entrepreneurs with an innovative business idea, delivered through Accredited Mentor Partners (AMPs) who screen applications and provide mentorship alongside the funding. The grant quantum is S$20,000 to S$50,000 depending on track and AMP (tiers revised from 1 April 2024), and the founder must match the grant amount with paid-up capital or equivalent co-investment. Eligibility: first-time entrepreneur, Singapore-incorporated company, at least 51% local shareholding, full-time founder, innovative and scalable business model. Routine and lifestyle businesses are out of scope. See the Startup SG Founder page for the current AMP list.

Startup SG Tech funds deep-tech startups that own (or have rights to) novel technology and need non-dilutive capital. Proof-of-Concept (POC) projects receive up to S$250,000 to test technical and scientific viability; Proof-of-Value (POV) projects receive up to S$500,000 to demonstrate commercial viability after POC. Disbursed by milestones. The adjacent scheme is Startup SG Equity, where EnterpriseSG and the National Research Foundation co-invest equity alongside accredited private investors.

SFEC, EEG, and Tech.Pass

SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC): a one-off credit of up to S$10,000 per employer, covering up to 90% of out-of-pocket spend on training and selected EnterpriseSG transformation programmes, on top of existing subsidies. Qualifying conditions: at least S$750 of Skills Development Levy (SDL) contributed over the qualifying period, three local employees every month, and no defaults on government loans or grants. Final claims are due by 30 November 2026.

Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG): up to 70% for SMEs until 31 March 2027, up to S$350,000 at the advanced tier. Suits manufacturing and energy-intensive operations. See the EEG page.

Tech.Pass: EDB-administered work and residence pass (not a grant), lets established tech founders base themselves in Singapore. If "startup grant" searches keep surfacing Tech.Pass, that's why.

Common reasons applications fail

The grants are generous, but the bar to qualify is real. Applications we see rejected usually trip on one of five things:

1. The company paid the vendor before applying. Once a deposit hits the invoice or a contract is signed, the project is no longer "new" for grant purposes.
2. Local shareholding falls below 30%. Foreign founders sometimes hold more than 70% directly or through holding companies; the 30% local equity test must be met at the point of application.
3. Financial statements aren't ready. Project-based applications expect up to three years of audited statements (or management accounts for newly incorporated companies). If your books aren't current, the application stalls.
4. The vendor isn't pre-approved. For digital solutions, confirm the vendor and solution are on the pre-approved list before you commit.
5. The project scope is vague. "Improve productivity" is not a project. EnterpriseSG wants specific deliverables, costed line items, and a measurable business outcome.

Which grant for which stage?

A rough sequencing strategy we use with clients:

• Setting up (months 0–6): Startup SG Founder if you're a first-time founder; EDGE for Xero, HR and CRM tooling (pre-approved solutions).
• Building capability (months 6–18): EDGE for business strategy or process redesign.
• Scaling overseas (months 18+): EDGE internationalisation support for your first market.
• Going deep tech: Startup SG Tech POC and then POV, alongside Startup SG Equity for co-investment.

All three EDGE stages draw on the same S$100,000 yearly cap, so sequence them. This is just a guide. In practice real companies skip steps, double-back, or run two activities in parallel. Not all companies will go into deep tech, capability projects, or even have plans to scale overseas. However many can benefit from small grants on tools.

Budget 2026 cash measures alongside grants

These aren't grants in the project sense, but they free up cash you can use to co-fund grant projects:

• 40% Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rebate for YA 2026, capped at S$30,000
• Minimum CIT Rebate Cash Grant of S$1,500 for companies with at least one local employee in CY2025

For how Singapore corporate tax shapes a founder's cash position, see our corporate income tax filing guide.

How to apply through the Business Grants Portal

Most schemes flow through the Business Grants Portal. The steps are similar across schemes:

1. Identify the right scheme and activity for your project; don't apply for a digital-solutions activity if your real need is a consultancy project.
2. Shortlist a pre-approved vendor (for digital solutions) or scope the project and get quotes (for project-based activities).
3. Prepare the documentation: ACRA business profile, last financial year statements, project proposal or vendor quote.
4. Submit via BGP using Corppass and Singpass corporate access; respond to clarifications promptly.
5. Receive the Letter of Offer, sign vendor contracts only after approval, implement the project, then submit your claim with supporting documents.

Frequently asked questions

What is the EDGE grant?

The EDGE grant is Enterprise Singapore's main business grant, launched on 30 September 2026 to replace the PSG, EDG and MRA. It funds digital solutions, capability projects, innovation and overseas expansion, with up to S$100,000 of support per company a year.

Are government grants in Singapore taxable?

Generally, yes. Most government grants that defray business expenses or supplement revenue (including EDGE and the schemes it replaced) are treated as taxable income under IRAS guidance. Capital grants may be treated differently depending on the conditions. The treatment follows IRAS's published guidance on government grants. Check with your accountant before booking the grant in your accounts.

Can I apply for multiple grants at the same time?

Yes, provided you don't double-fund the same cost item. Under EDGE, a digital-tools activity and a strategy project can run in parallel, but they share the S$100,000 yearly cap. Declare all support you're receiving on each application.

How long does EDGE approval take?

It depends on the activity. Enterprise Singapore publishes processing times on the EDGE page and the Business Grants Portal. Plan your project timeline backwards from when cash needs to flow.

Do I need a pre-approved vendor for EDGE?

For activities with a pre-approved vendor list, such as accounting software, yes. Project-based activities generally don't use a list but expect competitive quotes.

Do I have to repay the grant?

No. Grants are not loans. Provided you deliver the approved project, file claims correctly, and meet post-project conditions, the disbursed amount stays with you. The agency can claw back funds if you misuse them, provide false information, or breach the terms.

If you're looking to switch to Xero and claim the EDGE grant, or need to get your financials up to date to submit for a larger grant, speak with us and we'll help you take the next steps to get set up on Xero quickly, efficiently, and save you money while doing so.