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Navigating the Maze: My 2025 Guide to Government Grants for Singapore SMEs

  • Writer: Kenneth Wong
    Kenneth Wong
  • Jun 24
  • 8 min read

Updated: Jun 25

2025 Guide to Government Grants for Singapore SMEs

Over the past few months, I’ve received an increasing number of inquiries that go something like this:

“Hi, I’m so-and-so from Company XYZ. Can you tell me what grants are available for my business?”

Now, I want to help. I genuinely do. That’s the whole point of HelpMeSME.sg. But let me be brutally honest, and I say this with the best intent. The best help starts with self-help. :P


The internet is free. Google is fast. ChatGPT exists (Yes, I use it too!). It is important for SME owners to take the first step by doing a little research themselves. Do your homework first. Then, if you are stuck, or if you are writing a grant proposal and don't know how to structure it, or you are confused between PSG and EDG, and which one fits your case better, that is where I come in. I’ll gladly help, and I have helped many.


To keep things fresh (and also because I need to stay updated myself), here is an overview of the notable (and useful) SME grants in 2025. I am not listing everything. I can't possibly do that. There are way too many thanks to our pro-business government :). But here are the important ones that I believe most SMEs should know about.


First, What Qualifies as an SME in Singapore?


Before applying for anything, check if you meet the basic criteria set by Enterprise Singapore:

  • A locally registered company with at least 30% local shareholding (Singaporeans or PRs),

  • Annual turnover of less than S$100 million OR fewer than 200 employees.


Most grants are tied to these criteria. But always check the individual grant pages for their eligibility criteria as they can vary slightly.


Key Things to Keep in Mind (From Someone Who Has Been There)


Let me share what I have learned from dealing with grants over the years, both applying for them and helping others.


  • Check if you are a SME. See above.

  • Grants are on a reimbursement basis. That means you need to pay for the project first and claim back later. If your cashflow is tight, tread this carefully. The disbursements can take months. To claim, remember to keep all billing and payment documents such as invoices and bank transfer documents. And there is an audit too! Tip: You may request for 10% upfront disbursement to help in the initial cost outlay for the project. I have applied and successfully received this. Check with your grant officer for this option.

  • "Up to 50%" doesn’t mean you’ll get 50%. Grants support “qualifying costs”, which does not include everything. Not all cost components may be supported. From my experience, most form of knowledge transfer, consultancy, training, and manpower development enjoys the highest form of support. Equipment, software, subscriptions, or recurring costs tend to get less support. Check each grant for the details.

  • Our government wants SMEs to go global. Many grants favour SMEs taking the bold step of expanding beyond Singapore’s shores. These are often the most generous.


And please remember: grants are not an entitlement. They are a form of national support, funded by taxpayers (like you and me). There are over 350,000 SMEs in Singapore. If each of them thinks they are entitled to grants, our government will be made bankrupt pretty soon. The grants are also not there to support the setup of your business or the cost of running your business e.g. your rentals, your utilities, etc.


Here's my list of the notable grants. You can download a PDF summary at the end of this blogpost.


1. Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)


This grant helps to increase the productivity and automate existing processes using IT solutions and equipment.

  • Support up to 50% of eligible cost.

  • The solutions are pre-approved so that means no lengthy proposal to write.

  • It is sector-specific, meaning there are existing solutions that are pre-approved that catered to the different sectors.

  • This grant is based on reimbursement. You pay first, claim later.

  • Check here for more information including a step-by-step guide on the application process: https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/financial-support/productivity-solutions-grant


2. Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)


Compared to PSG, this is the heavyweight. :) Typically for projects at a larger scale. If you can’t find the solutions listed in PSG, you may consider this grant.


  • Support up to 50% of eligible cost. Up to 70% for sustainability-based projects.

  • Supportable projects fall in 3 broad categories

    1. Upgrading your core capabilities: Mainly consultancy-based projects that will help to improve your business capabilities in areas like business strategy development, financial management, HR development, service excellence or branding and marketing development.

    2. Improving your Innovation and Productivity: You can seek support to acquire large-scale software and equipment to improve your productivity or do things in a new and better way, seek help to redesign your process, or funding to aid in new product development.

    3. Expanding overseas: Two key areas supported under the EDG are funding to conduct a pilot to test your products and services overseas or help in the certification or standards adoptions to gain trust in your products or services overseas.

  • This grant is based on reimbursement. You pay first, claim later. Ask for upfront disbursement support.

  • With a higher support level, here's the catch for the EDG. There is a need to submit a business proposal detailing why you need to embark on this project including a comprehensive business plan, your existing business metrics and the expected business outcomes (in numbers). If you need help, check my section on business proposal templates.

  • Check here for more information: https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/financial-support/enterprise-development-grant


3. Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant


If you're looking to test new markets overseas, the MRA grant is for you. It supports things like deploying a BD rep overseas, marketing campaigns in another country, or even joining trade shows.


  • Support up to 50% of eligible cost with a cap in these 3 areas:

    1. Overseas market promotion (capped at S$20,000)

    2. Overseas business development (capped at S$50,000)

    3. Overseas market set-up (capped at S$30,000)

  • Each application is limited to one activity in a single overseas market.

  • This grant is based on reimbursement. You pay first, claim later.

  • Check here for more information: https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/financial-support/market-readiness-assistance-grant


 4. Grants for Startup - Startup SG programmes


Are you planning to start a startup, or a new or existing startup looking for help? There is an entire array of grants supporting our startup eco-system here in Singapore. There is too many to list here but the key one would be Startup SG Founder. I was part of the first batch of the Startup SG Founder programme, so this one is close to my heart. Under this programme, you will received compulsory training and mentorship. If your pitch is successful, you will be supported on a 1:1 support ratio, with a grant amount from S$20,000 to S$50,000.


Also check out:

  • Startup SG Accelerator: For high potential Singapore-based startups, this programme helps startups with the cost of product development, improve market access,  hiring of mentors and experts, and even the partial support of operating costs.

  • Startup SG Tech: For deep-tech startup with the potential to develop proprietary technology solutions. This programme supports Proof-of-Concept (POC) and Proof-of-Value (POV) for commercialisation of innovative technologies.

  • Startup SG Equity: Are you a Venture Capitalist (VC) or investors looking to invest in the next potential unicorn? This programme will see the Singapore government co-invest with independent, qualified third party investors into eligible startups; or invest in selected VC firms that will in turn invest into eligible startups.

  • Check here for all the information you need for Startup SG: https://www.startupsg.gov.sg/


5. Hiring & Manpower Support


Internship Support - Global Ready Talent Programme (GRT). Interns are one of my major sources of good workers (not cheap labours!). Many of my interns went on to work part-time for my company during their school holidays or became full-time employees after they graduate.



Other Manpower Support. Most of the manpower-related support can be found at the Workforce Singapore website. Here are a few notable ones which can be useful to SMEs:



6. Grants for Adopting Generative AI (Gen AI) in Your Business


Gen AI is no longer a buzzword. It is here to stay. If you are not exploring AI tools for your business, you are falling behind. I use ChatGPT and Gemini to draft documents (yes, like this one), generate ideas, create images, and even create slides.


Good news! There are grants for Gen AI adoption via IMDA. Check here: https://services2.imda.gov.sg/ctoaas/genai


Using Google Workspace? Adopt Gemini for Google Workspace which can help employees to draft documents, streamline and enhance replies to customers, and more! Check here: https://workspace.google.com/learning/gemini-for-google-workspace-sme


7. NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant - A Hidden Gem


In my previous blogpost, I mentioned a new grant in town which is relatively under-the-radar, but it deserves a mention here as I think it has the potential to be BIG!


The grant is called the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) grant, managed by NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) to help businesses implement transformation plans to enhance business capabilities and worker outcomes.


As this is a NTUC programme, workers outcome is the primary importance. Companies taking up this grant must commit to one of the below worker’s outcome at the end of the project:


(1)    Salary increase; and/or

(2)   Give a recurrent skills allowance or one-time allowance ; and/or

(3)   Implement a Career Development Plan (CDP) that is communicated to staff.


To achieve the desired workers’ outcome, the grant may support many types of project such as (1) training, (2) implementation of equipment or software, and or (3) consultancy.


At 70% level and looking at the broad scope of support, this grant is potentially better than the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG). Previously, I thought there is a compulsory need for companies to be unionised to be eligible for this grant. However, it is stated on their site there is no need.


You can find out more here: https://www.e2i.com.sg/ctc/


Final Thoughts


I created HelpMeSME.sg because I have been in your shoes. I know how hard it is to run a small business in Singapore. Every dollar counts, and the bureaucracy and paperwork can be overwhelming. I do hope this page provides a small catapult to help you navigate the maze of support available.


Here's a useful summary of all the grants mentioned above. You can download a PDF below.


Summary of Grants for Singapore SMEs and Businesses 2025

If you are an SME, and if there is any area you may want some help, or an opinion, or just simply a chat, do drop me a message!



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