Startup vs SME Grant Eligibility Matrix

Singapore’s grant landscape changes as your company matures. A 3-month-old startup has different options than a 5-year-old SME. This matrix shows which grants you qualify for at each stage, so you can plan your funding roadmap from day one.

Read This First

Company age is the primary filter for grant eligibility. Startup SG schemes target early-stage companies (under 6 or under 10 years), while SME grants (PSG, EEG, MRA) use revenue and headcount thresholds regardless of age. EDG accepts companies at any stage, as long as they meet the 30% local equity requirement.

Deep tech opens Startup SG Tech even for older startups, as long as you’re under 10 years and developing proprietary technology. If you’re building AI, biotech, or advanced manufacturing, this is your primary path before graduating to EDG.

SME criteria are simple: annual revenue ≤S$100M OR ≤200 employees. If you meet either threshold, you’re eligible for PSG, EEG, and MRA, no matter how old your company is. This means a 15-year-old company with 150 employees can still access SME grants.

First-time founders get special treatment. If you’re under 6 months old and this is your first venture, Startup SG Founder offers 1:1 co-matching up to S$50k. You’ll need an Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP) to unlock this.

Quick Decision Matrix

At a Glance

Year 0 (Pre-registration or under 6 months old)

• Startup SG Founder: Up to S$50k, 1:1 co-matching
• Requirements: under 6 months old, 51% SC/PR shareholders, first-time entrepreneur, partnered AMP
• Best for: Validating your MVP and early customer acquisition

Year 0-10 (Deep tech startups)

• Startup SG Tech: Up to S$800k (POV) or S$400k (POC)
• Requirements: under 10 years old, 30% local equity, proprietary tech, core R&D in Singapore
• Best for: R&D-intensive companies building novel tech solutions

Any age (SME criteria: ≤S$100M revenue OR ≤200 employees)

• PSG: Up to S$30k/year, pre-approved IT and equipment
• EEG: Up to S$30k (base) or S$350k (advanced), energy efficiency projects
• MRA: Up to S$100k total, market expansion activities
• All require: 30% local equity, financially stable

Any age (registered company)

• EDG: No fixed cap, business transformation projects
• Requirements: 30% local equity, financial capability for co-funding, clear business case

Decision Flow

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: 2-month-old startup, building a SaaS platform

• Eligible: Startup SG Founder (if first-time founder)
• Strategy: Secure S$50k co-matching through an AMP, use funds for MVP development and initial marketing
• Next steps: Once >6 months, switch to PSG for pre-approved accounting/CRM software

Scenario 2: 4-year-old deep tech company, developing AI algorithms

• Eligible: Startup SG Tech, PSG, EEG, MRA, EDG (if meet SME criteria)
• Strategy: Apply for Startup SG Tech (up to S$800k) for core R&D, supplement with PSG for IT infrastructure
• Avoid: Don’t overlap R&D costs between grants—Startup SG Tech for proprietary tech, PSG for standard tools

Scenario 3: 8-year-old consulting firm, 120 employees, S$15M revenue

• Eligible: PSG, EEG, MRA, EDG (meets SME criteria via headcount)
• Strategy: Use PSG for quick IT upgrades (accounting, HR systems), MRA for new market entry, EDG for major business transformation
• Tip: Max out PSG’s S$30k annual cap first—fastest approval

Scenario 4: 15-year-old manufacturing company, 80 employees, S$25M revenue

• Eligible: PSG, EEG, MRA, EDG (meets SME criteria via both thresholds)
• Strategy: EEG for upgrading energy-intensive equipment (up to S$350k), PSG for automation software, EDG for overseas expansion
• Combine: Stack EEG and EDG for a comprehensive sustainability + growth plan

Scenario 5: 12-year-old tech company, 250 employees, S$120M revenue

• Eligible: EDG only (exceeds SME thresholds)
• Strategy: Focus on high-impact EDG projects—business model transformation, major automation, overseas expansion
• Reality check: Budget for higher co-funding (30-50% vs 50-70% for SMEs)

Before You Apply

Check your company age cutoff: Startup SG Founder requires under 6 months, Startup SG Tech requires under 10 years. If you’re borderline, submit early—processing takes 4-8 weeks.

SME status is dynamic: Your revenue and headcount change yearly. A company that grew from 180 to 220 employees loses PSG/MRA eligibility mid-year. Plan ahead if you’re near thresholds.

Don’t overlap funding: If you claim R&D costs under Startup SG Tech, you can’t claim the same expenses under EDG. IRAS cross-checks grant claims during audits.

First-time founder definition: You can’t have held more than 10% equity in a previous company. ACRA records are checked. If you’ve been a small shareholder (under 10%) before, you still qualify.

30% local equity is universal: All grants require at least 30% shares held by Singaporeans/PRs or local entities. Verify this with ACRA Bizfile before applying.

Set up Corppass early: All grant applications require Corppass with GSIB access. Processing takes 2-3 weeks. See our Corppass Setup Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Read the pitfalls: Common mistakes include applying before business is ready, misunderstanding co-funding rates, and poor documentation. Check our Grant Pitfalls Guide for detailed warnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a startup or an SME for grant purposes?

If your company is under 5 years old and focused on innovation/scalability, you may qualify as a startup for programmes like Startup SG. If you’re an established business (any age) with turnover below S$100M or fewer than 200 employees, you’re an SME. Many startups qualify as both and can apply to either category of grants.

Can startups apply for SME grants like PSG and EDG?

Yes, if you meet the SME criteria: at least 30% local shareholding, registered in Singapore, and within size limits (≤S$100M turnover OR ≤200 employees). Many startups qualify for both startup-specific grants (Startup SG) AND SME grants (PSG, EDG, MRA).

What if my company exceeds SME size limits?

Companies exceeding S$100M turnover or 200 employees don’t qualify for most SME grants. However, you may still qualify for sector-specific grants, innovation incentives like the Enterprise Innovation Scheme (EIS), or the Double Tax Deduction for Internationalisation (DTDi).

Which grants should startups prioritize?

Early-stage: Startup SG Founder (validation + mentorship). Technology-focused: Startup SG Tech (R&D funding). Growth-stage: PSG (productivity tools) + EDG (business transformation) + MRA (overseas expansion). The optimal combination depends on your stage and business needs.

Related Guides

• Grant Pitfalls Guide — Common mistakes that get applications rejected
• Corppass Setup Guide — Step-by-step setup for grant applications
• Singapore Grants Glossary — Decode grant terminology
• Startup SG Decision Matrix — Choose between Founder, Equity, and Tech
• PSG vs EDG Decision Matrix — When to use pre-approved vs customized grants
• Startup SG Founder Quick Start
• Startup SG Accelerator — Funding for incubators and accelerators

Official Links

• Startup SG Founder — Enterprise Singapore
• Startup SG Tech — Enterprise Singapore
• Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) — Enterprise Singapore
• Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG) — NEA
• Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) — Enterprise Singapore
• Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) — Enterprise Singapore