Singapore Grants for Solopreneurs (2026): What You Can Actually Apply For

If you’re running a business solo in Singapore, you might have heard that grants require cofounders or multiple shareholders. That’s mostly a myth. Most SME grants have no minimum employee or cofounder requirement—the real barriers are local equity and company size, not team size.

This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly which grants you can apply for as a solopreneur.

The Myth vs Reality

Common misconception: “I need 2 cofounders to apply for grants”

Reality: Only Startup SG Founder has team composition requirements (and even then, it’s about first-time entrepreneur status, not cofounder count). PSG, EDG, MRA, DTD, and EEG don’t care if you’re solo—they care about:

• 30% local equity (you or other Singaporeans/PRs own at least 30%)
• SME size (≤S$100M turnover OR ≤200 employees)
• Singapore registration (ACRA-registered entity)

If you meet these, you’re eligible. Period.

Quick Eligibility Matrix

Best Grants for Solopreneurs

1. Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

Best for: Pre-approved software (accounting, CRM, HR, e-commerce)

• Funding: Up to 50% of costs, capped at S$30,000
• Processing: ~6 weeks (fastest grant)
• Solo-friendly: Yes—no employee minimum
• Key requirement: Choose from pre-approved solutions catalogue

Good fit if you need: Xero/QuickBooks, CRM systems, HR software, e-commerce platforms, cybersecurity tools

PSG Full Details | PSG Quick-Start Checklist

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2. Double Tax Deduction for Internationalisation (DTD)

Best for: Overseas business activities (trade fairs, marketing, market research)

• Benefit: 200% tax deduction on qualifying expenses (up to S$150K/year for automatic claims)
• Processing: No prior approval needed for automatic activities under S$150K
• Solo-friendly: Yes—no employee or cofounder requirements
• Key requirement: Tax benefit (need taxable income to benefit)

Good fit if you’re: Attending overseas trade fairs, running overseas marketing, doing market research abroad

DTD Full Details | DTD vs MRA Comparison

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3. Market Readiness Assistance (MRA)

Best for: Entering new overseas markets

• Funding: Up to 50% of costs (S$20K-S$100K depending on activity type)
• Processing: 4-6 weeks via BGP
• Solo-friendly: Yes—no employee minimum
• Key requirement: Must be entering a “new market” (≤S$100K sales in target country over past 3 years)

Good fit if you’re: Exhibiting at overseas trade fairs, hiring overseas consultants, setting up overseas entities

MRA Full Details | MRA Quick-Start Checklist

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4. Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

Best for: Business transformation projects (strategy, automation, product development)

• Funding: Up to 50% of costs (70% for sustainability projects), no fixed cap
• Processing: 8-12 weeks
• Solo-friendly: Yes—no employee minimum
• Key requirement: Clear project plan with outcomes and milestones

Good fit if you need: Business strategy development, process automation, product development, market access projects

EDG Full Details | EDG Quick-Start Checklist

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5. Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG)

Best for: Energy-efficient equipment upgrades

• Funding: Up to 70% for SMEs (base tier S$30K, advanced tier S$350K)
• Processing: Via BGP
• Solo-friendly: Yes—no employee minimum
• Key requirement: Pre-approved energy-efficient equipment

Good fit if you operate: Retail space, F&B outlet, warehouse, or any premises with significant energy costs

EEG Full Details | EEG Quick-Start Checklist

What About Startup SG Founder?

Startup SG Founder is the one exception. It has specific team requirements:

• First-time entrepreneur (never held >10% equity in another company)
• Must work with an Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP)
• 51% Singaporean/PR shareholding (higher than the usual 30%)
• Company under 6 months old

However: Even Startup SG Founder doesn’t require multiple cofounders. You can apply solo if you meet the first-time founder criteria. The “cofounder myth” comes from confusion with AMP requirements or investor preferences—not grant eligibility.

Startup SG Founder Details | Startup SG Decision Matrix

Common Solopreneur Scenarios

Before You Apply

What You Actually Need (Not Cofounders)

1. Corppass access — Set up before applying: Corppass Setup Guide
2. ACRA business profile — Your registered entity details
3. Financial statements — 1-3 years depending on grant
4. 30% local equity — Shareholding docs showing Singaporean/PR ownership
5. PayNow Corporate or GIRO — For disbursement: PayNow Setup

The Real Barriers (Not Team Size)

• Timing: Don’t pay vendors before applying (retrospective claims rejected)
• Pre-approval: PSG/EEG require pre-approved solutions/equipment
• Documentation: Incomplete applications get rejected
• Eligibility mismatch: Applying for wrong grant type

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for PSG as a sole proprietor?

Yes. PSG requires a Singapore-registered business entity with 30% local equity—sole proprietorships qualify if they meet these criteria. No minimum employees or cofounders required.

Do I need a cofounder to get government grants in Singapore?

No. Most SME grants (PSG, EDG, MRA, DTD, EEG) have no cofounder or minimum employee requirements. Only Startup SG Founder has team composition criteria, and even then it’s about first-time entrepreneur status, not cofounder count.

What’s the minimum shareholding for grant eligibility?

Most grants require 30% local equity (Singaporean/PR shareholders). Startup SG Founder requires 51%. DTD has no specific shareholding requirement as it’s a tax deduction.

Can a one-person company apply for EDG?

Yes. EDG has no minimum employee or cofounder requirements. You need: Singapore registration, 30% local equity, financial capability for co-funding, and a clear project plan with outcomes.

Related Guides

• Influencer Solopreneur Grants — Specific guidance for content creators
• Startup vs SME Eligibility Matrix — Which grants by company stage
• First-Time Application Checklist — Step-by-step for new applicants
• Grant Pitfalls Guide — Common mistakes to avoid
• PSG vs EDG Decision Matrix — Choose the right grant
• Singapore Grants Glossary — key terms and definitions

Official Links

• Business Grants Portal (BGP)
• GoBusiness Grant Finder
• Enterprise Singapore Grants
• Corppass Registration