Singapore’s Startup SG umbrella brings together a suite of government programmes designed to support founders, investors, and ecosystem enablers at every stage of the startup journey — from ideation to international expansion. In Budget 2026, the government committed a further S$1 billion to the Startup SG Equity scheme, signalling continued ambition to cement Singapore’s position as Asia’s leading deep tech startup hub.
This guide explains each Startup SG programme, who qualifies, what support is available, and how to access it — with updated 2026 information on the programmes most relevant to founders and investors looking to establish or grow a business in Singapore.
What Is Startup SG?
Startup SG is an initiative led by Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) that consolidates the government’s startup support programmes under a single brand. It covers funding, mentorship, talent, infrastructure, investor incentives, and market access — making it the go-to entry point for any founder or investor engaging with Singapore’s startup ecosystem.
The programmes sit within the broader Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE2030) plan, which aims to make Singapore a world-class innovation economy with deep tech commercialisation at its core. Each Startup SG sub-programme is targeted at a specific stage or type of stakeholder, so understanding which programme applies to your situation is the first step.
Startup SG Founder: Grant and Mentorship for First-Time Entrepreneurs
Startup SG Founder is aimed at first-time entrepreneurs with an innovative, scalable business concept. Under this programme, qualifying applicants receive:
- A S$30,000 grant from EnterpriseSG
- A S$10,000 contribution from an Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP), bringing total support to S$40,000
- Mentorship from the AMP to guide the startup’s early development
Applications are evaluated on the strength of the business concept, feasibility of the business model, the management team’s capabilities, and the market potential. The grant is intended for early-stage capital expenditure and business development, not salary. Applicants must apply through an AMP — a list of AMPs is available on the Startup SG website.
This programme is particularly well-suited to Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents launching their first venture with a differentiated product or technology concept.
Startup SG Tech: Funding for Deep Tech Commercialisation
Startup SG Tech supports early-stage technology companies seeking to commercialise innovative, proprietary technologies. The programme provides funding for two stages:
- Proof-of-Concept (POC): funding to demonstrate technical feasibility of a new technology
- Proof-of-Value (POV): funding to demonstrate commercial viability or market fit
The emphasis is on proprietary technology — not off-the-shelf solutions or incremental improvements. Deep tech sectors including biomedical, advanced manufacturing, agritech, and digital infrastructure are commonly supported. Startups must be incorporated in Singapore and demonstrate genuine technical innovation.
Startup SG Tech is administered by EnterpriseSG in collaboration with sector-specific agencies, meaning the evaluation process takes into account both technical merit and commercial potential.
Startup SG Equity: S$1 Billion Budget 2026 Boost
Startup SG Equity (SSGE) is the largest and most significant programme in the Startup SG portfolio. It is a co-investment scheme under which EnterpriseSG and the Economic Development Board (EDB) co-invest alongside qualified private investors in Singapore-based tech startups.
In Budget 2026, the government announced a S$1 billion top-up to SSGE to continue supporting early-stage deep tech startups and — crucially — to expand support to growth-stage startups for the first time. This marks a significant evolution of the scheme, which previously focused primarily on early-stage companies.
How It Works
SSGE operates through two channels. In the direct co-investment model, EnterpriseSG co-invests alongside a qualified third-party investor into an eligible startup. In the fund-of-funds model, EntrepriseSG invests into selected venture capital funds that in turn deploy capital into eligible startups.
The scheme is not a grant — it is equity investment. Startups participating in SSGE give up equity in exchange for funding. The benefit is access to government co-investment at a stage where private capital may be scarce or expensive, and the signal quality that government backing provides to subsequent investors.
Eligibility criteria include being incorporated in Singapore, having genuine technology innovation, and securing a qualifying private investor. The scheme is not open to direct applications from startups — rather, qualifying investors flag eligible startups to EntrepriseSG for co-investment consideration.
Startup SG Talent: EntrePass and Tech.Pass
Startup SG Talent addresses the talent dimension of the startup ecosystem — specifically helping startups access skilled workers and enabling international founders to set up in Singapore.
EntrePass
The EntrePass is a work pass for international entrepreneurs who wish to found and operate a Singapore-based startup. Unlike the Employment Pass (which requires an employer to sponsor the applicant), the EntrePass is for founders who wish to incorporate a company and work in it themselves.
To qualify, applicants must meet criteria related to the innovativeness of their business, their track record as founders or innovators, and the startup’s potential for growth and job creation. EntrePass holders must meet annual renewal criteria including revenue thresholds and local employment.
Tech.Pass
The Tech.Pass is designed for established tech entrepreneurs, leaders, and experts who wish to work on tech projects in Singapore. It offers greater flexibility than standard work passes — Tech.Pass holders can work for multiple companies, start a business, and mentor or invest in startups simultaneously. Eligibility requires significant industry experience and a salary track record or a successful exit as a founder.
Startup SG Investor: Tax Incentives for Angel Investors and VCs
Startup SG Investor brings together two key tax incentive schemes for those investing in Singapore startups.
Angel Investors Tax Deduction (AITD)
Approved angel investors who invest a minimum of S$100,000 in a qualifying startup can claim a tax deduction of 50% of their investment amount. The investment must be held for at least two years. The AITD is designed to encourage high-net-worth individuals to allocate capital to early-stage companies that may not yet attract institutional investors.
Venture Capital Fund Incentive (VCFI)
Approved venture capital funds receive tax exemption on income (including capital gains, dividends, and interest from qualifying investments). Fund management companies managing VCFI-approved funds may also access a 5% concessionary tax rate on management fees under the Fund Management Incentive. These incentives make Singapore an attractive domicile for VC funds targeting Southeast Asian and Asian technology companies.
Startup SG Accelerator: Supporting Incubators and Ecosystem Builders
Startup SG Accelerator provides funding and non-financial support to incubators and accelerators operating in Singapore. The programme supports local and global startup enablers — including corporate accelerators — that help startups develop, gain market access, secure talent, and raise financing.
Applicants are evaluated on their unique value proposition, track record in nurturing startups, and the quality of their networks and support infrastructure. Unlike the other Startup SG programmes, this one targets the ecosystem enablers rather than startups directly.
Startup SG Infrastructure: JTC Launchpads
JTC Launchpads — managed under the Startup SG Infrastructure banner — provide physical workspace and community infrastructure for startups, accelerators, incubators, VCs, and ecosystem players in Singapore. The Launchpads are designed to co-locate complementary ecosystem actors to spur knowledge-sharing and deal flow. One-north in Singapore remains the primary hub, housing numerous deep tech and biomedical startups.
Startup SG Loan: Enterprise Financing Scheme (EFS)
Access to debt financing for early-stage startups is facilitated through the Enterprise Financing Scheme (EFS), which provides government-backed loans across seven financing categories including working capital, trade financing, equipment, and SME fixed assets. The government risk-shares with participating financial institutions, making it easier for startups with limited credit history to access bank lending.
Stage One: One-Stop Hub for the Startup Community
Announced in 2025 and now operational, Stage One is a joint initiative of EnterpriseSG, EDB, and JTC, managed by Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE.SG). It serves as a single focal point where local and global startups can access support, find ecosystem partners, and explore growth opportunities. Stage One is intended to reduce the fragmentation that founders previously experienced when navigating multiple agencies and programmes.
Which Startup SG Programme Is Right for You?
The right programme depends on your stage and profile. As a rough guide: first-time founders with a new business concept should look at Startup SG Founder; deep tech companies with proprietary IP should explore Startup SG Tech and the SSGE co-investment pathway; international founders should consider the EntrePass; and experienced tech leaders or serial entrepreneurs may qualify for Tech.Pass. Investors should evaluate the AITD and VCFI incentives based on their investment strategy.
How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help
Setting up the right corporate structure is often the first step before accessing Startup SG programmes. Many grants and co-investment schemes require the company to be incorporated in Singapore as a private limited company, and some require the company to meet specific criteria around ownership and activities.
At Raffles Corporate Services, we help founders incorporate their Singapore company quickly and correctly, advise on the right share structure, and assist with the regulatory steps needed to access EntrePass and other Startup SG programmes. Our team also supports Employment Pass applications for founding team members and key hires as the startup grows.
If you are launching a startup in Singapore and want to understand which programmes you qualify for, contact us for an initial consultation.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services