Singapore is one of the world’s most generous countries when it comes to government support for small and medium-sized enterprises. From enterprise development and productivity improvements to internationalisation and technology adoption, the Singapore Government offers dozens of grant schemes administered by Enterprise Singapore, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), SkillsFuture Singapore, and other agencies.

The real competitive advantage, however, lies not in applying for a single grant — but in strategically combining multiple grants to maximise your funding position. This guide explains how Singapore’s major SME grant schemes work, which ones can be stacked, and how to build a multi-grant strategy that significantly reduces your business investment costs.

Understanding Grant Stacking: What It Means and Why It Works

Grant stacking refers to the practice of applying for and receiving multiple government grants concurrently or sequentially for the same business or project. In Singapore, this is entirely permitted — indeed, it is encouraged by policy design. Most grant schemes are structured to fund different aspects of business activity, which means a single project or initiative can legitimately attract support from multiple sources.

For example, a company digitising its operations might simultaneously qualify for:

  • Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) for the consultancy and implementation costs
  • Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) for the specific software subscription
  • SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) for the employee training component

The key principle is that you cannot claim the same dollar of expenditure under two different grants — but if the grants cover different cost categories, concurrent stacking is legitimate and effective.

The Major Singapore SME Grant Schemes in 2026

1. Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

Administered by Enterprise Singapore, the EDG is the flagship broad-based grant for Singapore SMEs. It funds up to 50% of qualifying project costs (with higher support levels for small enterprises in some categories) across three pillars:

  • Core Capabilities: Business strategy, financial management, human capital development, service excellence, strategic brand and marketing development
  • Innovation and Productivity: Automation, process redesign, product development, technology adoption
  • Market Access: Overseas marketing activities, standards development, merger and acquisition advisory

EDG projects typically range from S$30,000 to S$300,000 in qualifying costs, with the grant covering 50% of eligible expenses including professional fees, software, equipment, and internal manpower costs. Applications are made through Business Grants Portal (BGP).

2. Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

The PSG funds the adoption of pre-approved IT solutions and equipment that enhance productivity. Unlike EDG (which requires a detailed project proposal and assessor review), PSG applications are simpler — you select a pre-approved solution from the PSG catalogue, apply on BGP, and receive up to 50% subsidy on the solution cost.

PSG covers over 700 pre-approved solutions across sectors including retail, food services, logistics, precision engineering, and professional services. Key categories include:

  • POS systems and inventory management
  • Accounting and HR software
  • Customer relationship management (CRM) tools
  • E-commerce platforms and digital marketing tools
  • Cybersecurity solutions

Stack opportunity: PSG (for the software subscription) + EDG Innovation and Productivity (for the implementation consultancy) + SFEC (for training employees to use the new system) is a classic three-way stack.

3. SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)

SFEC provides eligible employers with a one-time S$10,000 credit to cover out-of-pocket expenses for enterprise transformation and workforce development activities. Qualifying uses include:

  • Approved workforce training courses (up to 90% of out-of-pocket costs)
  • Enterprise development initiatives under EDG, PSG, or Workforce Singapore programmes

SFEC is particularly powerful as a “top-up” mechanism — it can offset the portion of EDG or PSG costs not covered by those grants, effectively reducing your net outlay further. A company receiving 50% EDG funding can use SFEC to cover a portion of the remaining 50%.

4. Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant

MRA supports Singapore SMEs expanding overseas for the first time or entering new international markets. It funds up to 50% of eligible costs (capped at S$100,000 per new market per year) for:

  • Overseas market promotion (trade fairs, roadshows, market development)
  • Identification of overseas partners or agents
  • Overseas business development

Stack opportunity: MRA (for overseas market entry) + EDG Market Access (for the brand strategy underpinning the expansion). These cover distinct cost categories and can be applied concurrently.

5. Enterprise Financing Scheme (EFS)

While technically a financing scheme rather than a grant, the EFS enables SMEs to access loans with government risk-sharing (up to 70% default risk borne by the government). Sub-schemes include:

  • SME Working Capital Loan: Up to S$500,000 for day-to-day operations
  • SME Fixed Assets Loan: Up to S$30 million for machinery and equipment
  • Venture Debt Loan: For innovative and high-growth companies
  • Trade Loan: For trade financing (letters of credit, trust receipts)

Stack opportunity: EFS loan (for capital expenditure) + EDG or PSG (for qualifying costs associated with the same equipment or project). The loan funds the capital purchase; the grant subsidises the implementation and training costs.

6. Startup SG Founder Grant

For first-time entrepreneurs, the Startup SG Founder Grant provides S$50,000 in funding (S$30,000 from the government, S$20,000 matched by an accredited mentor partner). The grant is for eligible Singaporean or PR founders starting their first business and is administered through accredited mentor partners including entrepreneurship centres and incubators.

Stack opportunity: Startup SG Founder (early-stage funding) + PSG (productivity solutions as the business gets underway) + SFEC (training as headcount grows).

Building a Multi-Grant Strategy: A Step-by-Step Approach

Step 1: Map Your Business Roadmap

Before applying for any grants, document your 12–24 month business plan with specific initiatives: technology adoption, overseas expansion, product development, workforce upskilling, process automation. Each initiative is a potential grant trigger.

Step 2: Match Initiatives to Grant Categories

For each initiative, identify the primary grant that covers it, then look for complementary grants covering adjacent cost categories (training, implementation, market access). Use the BGP’s eligibility checker and grant catalogues.

Step 3: Sequence Applications Strategically

Some grants (like EDG) require pre-approval before the project starts — retroactive claims are not allowed. Submit EDG and PSG applications before committing to vendor contracts. SFEC and MRA can sometimes follow once the primary grant is approved.

Step 4: Maintain Clean Documentation

Grant audits are common. Keep invoices, payment records, timesheets for internal manpower costs, and project milestone documentation. Ensure no single expense is claimed under two grants. Your accountant or corporate services provider can help you maintain a grant expenditure register.

Step 5: Monitor Drawdown Deadlines

Approved grants must be drawn down within specified periods (typically 12–24 months for EDG). Missed drawdown deadlines result in grant forfeiture. Assign clear internal ownership of each grant and set calendar reminders for key milestones.

Common Mistakes That Cause Grant Rejections

  • Starting the project before the grant is approved: EDG and most major grants require pre-commencement approval. Incurring costs before the approval date disqualifies those costs.
  • Selecting a non-pre-approved vendor for PSG: PSG only covers solutions from the approved catalogue. Buying from an unlisted vendor — even if the product is similar — disqualifies the claim.
  • Vague or weak project proposals for EDG: EDG proposals are assessed by trained evaluators. A weak business case, unclear expected outcomes, or lack of quantified KPIs dramatically reduces approval chances.
  • Not meeting the SME definition: Most schemes require the company to be at least 30% Singapore-citizen-or-PR owned, registered in Singapore, and have annual turnover below S$100 million or fewer than 200 employees.

How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help

Navigating Singapore’s grant landscape requires both strategic planning and meticulous execution. Our team helps Singapore SMEs identify the right grant combination, prepare compelling applications, manage documentation, and ensure compliance with grant conditions throughout the project lifecycle.

We assist with:

  • Grant eligibility assessment and strategy planning
  • EDG, PSG, MRA, and SFEC application preparation
  • Vendor selection advice within PSG-approved catalogues
  • Grant expenditure tracking and audit-ready documentation
  • Post-approval project management support

For related topics, see our guides on shareholder agreements for Singapore Pte Ltd companies and director duties and personal liability in Singapore.

Get in Touch

To speak with our team about building a Singapore government grant strategy for your business, contact Raffles Corporate Services:

— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services