Use this guide to quickly pick the right Startup SG grant for your startup. If you are a first-time founder with an early business idea, start with Startup SG Founder. If you are building proprietary deep tech and need PoC or PoV funding, compare Startup SG Tech. Do this before you incorporate too early, commit project spend, or choose the wrong application route.
Read This First
- Startup SG Founder is for first-time founders: you must hold at least 51% equity and not have received prior Startup SG funding.
- Startup SG Tech is for deep tech commercialization: you need proprietary technology with IP, and typically require 30% local equity.
- Founder requires an Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP): you must engage an ESG-approved mentor and commit to 12 months of mentorship.
- Tech involves equity dilution: the government may subscribe up to 49% equity through SEEDS Capital or other co-investors.
- Don’t start work before approval: for both grants, starting project activities before approval can affect eligibility.
Quick Decision Matrix
| Startup SG Founder | Startup SG Tech | |
|---|---|---|
| First-time entrepreneur with innovative idea | ✓ | — |
| Deep tech startup with proprietary IP | — | ✓ |
| Need early-stage validation funding | ✓ | — |
| Need significant R&D commercialization funding | — | ✓ |
| Want non-dilutive co-matching grant | ✓ | — |
| Open to equity investment from government | — | ✓ |
| Company < 6 months old | ✓ | ✗ |
| Company < 10 years old | ✓ | ✓ |
Legend: ✓ = Use this grant | — = Not the primary fit | ✗ = Not eligible
At a Glance
| Startup SG Founder | Startup SG Tech | |
|---|---|---|
| Grant amount | S$20,000 - S$50,000 | S$400,000 - S$800,000 (POC/POV) |
| Co-matching | 1:1 required (dollar-for-dollar) | 10-20% of paid-up capital |
| Equity stake | No equity taken | Up to 49% (gov subscription) |
| Mentor requirement | AMP required (12 months) | No |
| Company age | < 6 months from incorporation | < 10 years |
| Local equity | 51% Singapore-based shareholders | 30% local equity |
| Eligible costs | Salaries, marketing, professional services | R&D, manpower, equipment, IP |
Common Scenarios
- “I’m a first-time founder launching a SaaS startup” → Startup SG Founder (if incorporated < 6 months and can find an AMP)
- “We have a patented AI algorithm and need commercialization funding” → Startup SG Tech (if you have IP and are open to equity dilution)
- “I want S$30K to hire my first developer and run marketing campaigns” → Startup SG Founder (co-match S$30K + have an AMP)
- “We need S$500K for R&D to prove our biotech concept” → Startup SG Tech (proof-of-concept funding with equity subscription)
- “I’ve raised a small angel round but never received Startup SG funding” → Startup SG Founder (if still within 6 months of incorporation and first-time for Startup SG)
- “Our university spinoff has licensed IP and needs to scale” → Startup SG Tech (deep tech with IP commercialization)
Before You Apply
-
Startup SG Founder:
- Find and engage an ESG Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP) before applying
- Ensure your company is < 6 months old from ACRA incorporation date
- Prepare to co-match dollar-for-dollar (if applying for S$30K, you need S$30K cash)
- Must hold ≥51% equity as founder
-
Startup SG Tech:
- Prepare IP documentation (patents, trade secrets, licensing agreements)
- Have a clear R&D commercialization plan with milestones
- Be ready for due diligence on technology and team
- Understand equity dilution (up to 49% government subscription)
- Ensure 30% local equity requirement is met
-
Both grants:
- Don’t start project work before approval
- Set up CorpPass if you haven’t: CorpPass Setup Guide
- Ensure company is registered in Singapore (ACRA)
Decision Tree
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Startup SG Founder and Startup SG Tech?
Founder provides up to S$50,000 (1:1 matching) for first-time entrepreneurs with mentorship from Accredited Mentor Partners. Tech provides milestone-based funding for developing proprietary technology at Proof-of-Concept or Proof-of-Value stage. Choose Founder if you’re a first-time entrepreneur validating an idea; choose Tech if you have deep-tech innovation to develop.
Which Startup SG grant should I apply for first?
Apply for Startup SG Founder first if you are a first-time founder, your company is less than 6 months old, and you need seed funding plus AMP mentorship. Apply for Startup SG Tech if the core risk is technical validation of proprietary IP and you need S$400K-S$800K for PoC or PoV work.
Which grant provides more funding?
Startup SG Tech provides significantly more funding (S$400,000-S$800,000 for PoC/PoV) compared to Startup SG Founder (up to S$50,000). However, Tech involves potential equity dilution while Founder is non-dilutive.
Can I apply for both Startup SG Founder and Tech?
Yes, but typically not simultaneously for the same project. You could use Founder to validate your business concept, then apply for Tech to develop the underlying technology once you have commercial traction.
Do I need Singapore citizenship to apply for Startup SG grants?
No, but your company must be registered in Singapore with at least 30% local shareholding (Singaporeans or PRs). Individual founders can be of any nationality.
How do I find an Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP)?
Enterprise Singapore maintains a list of approved AMPs on startupsg.gov.sg. You must be endorsed by an AMP before applying for Startup SG Founder—they evaluate your idea and provide ongoing mentorship throughout the programme.
Related Guides
- Grant Pitfalls Guide - Common pitfalls to avoid when applying for Startup SG grants
- Startup SG Founder — detailed eligibility, application process, and mentorship requirements
- Startup SG Tech — deep tech commercialization, IP requirements, and equity terms
- Startup SG Accelerator — funding for incubators and accelerators nurturing startups
- Corppass Setup Guide - Step-by-step guide to set up Corppass
- Singapore Grants Glossary
- Startup SG Founder Quick Start
- Startup SG Founder Pitfalls
Official Links
Need help with your application?
Check if you're eligible and get your document checklist in 30 minutes.
Check Eligibility