The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) runs several grants for tourism businesses. Three of the most useful for companies are the Kickstart Fund, which gives up to S$1 million per project to test-bed new events, concepts and products with tourism potential; the Business Improvement Fund (BIF), which co-funds productivity, technology and sustainability projects by Singapore-registered tourism businesses and tourism tech firms; and the Hotel Rejuvenation Fund, which supports licensed hotels doing comprehensive renovations of at least S$3 million, at up to 50% to 70% of qualifying costs for SMEs for applications approved by 31 March 2027.
Raffles Corporate Services works with a panel of experienced Singapore law firms who offer cost-effective and efficient legal service and advice. This article is general information only and is not legal advice.
How are STB’s grants organised?
Most STB grants sit under its Tourism Development Fund, which has three schemes:
| Scheme | Purpose | Funds within it |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism Capability Development Scheme | Productivity and talent | Business Improvement Fund (BIF), Local Enterprise and Association Development Programme (LEAD), Training Industry Professionals in Tourism (TIP-iT) |
| Tourism Event Development Scheme | Events | Business Events in Singapore (BEiS), Kickstart Fund, Leisure Events Fund |
| Tourism Product Development Scheme | Creating or rejuvenating tourism products | Cruise Development Fund, Experience Step-Up Fund, Tourism Product Development Fund |
STB also lists the Hotel Rejuvenation Fund, the Market Access Fund and Filming in Singapore as separate grants. This article focuses on the Kickstart Fund, BIF and the Hotel Rejuvenation Fund, which are the three most relevant to companies investing in new tourism offerings or upgrading their operations.
Which STB grant fits your project?
| Kickstart Fund | Business Improvement Fund | Hotel Rejuvenation Fund | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | Any legal entity, including businesses and associations; foreign entities encouraged to partner a local entity | Singapore-registered tourism businesses, and tech companies building products for tourism businesses | Singapore-registered businesses with a valid Hotels Licensing Board licence |
| What it funds | Test-bedding new consumer or business events, concepts and products, including pop-ups | Core capability projects and innovation and productivity projects | Comprehensive hotel renovation with product, productivity and sustainability components |
| Funding level | Up to S$1 million per project; percentage not published | Different rates for SMEs and non-SMEs; rates not published | SMEs up to 50%, 50% and 70%; non-SMEs up to 30%, 30% and 50% across the three components |
| Minimum size | None published | None published | Project cost of at least S$3 million |
| First contact | Executive summary to [email protected] | Executive summary to [email protected] | STB Hospitality team at [email protected] |
STB uses Enterprise Singapore’s SME definition: at least 30% local shareholding held by Singapore citizens or permanent residents, and group annual sales turnover of up to S$100 million or group employment of up to 200.
Kickstart Fund: testing a new tourism event or concept
The Kickstart Fund supports the creation and test-bedding of innovative events, concepts and products with tourism potential that can be scaled in Singapore. STB’s examples include multi-disciplinary, hybrid or virtual events, B2B2C and B2B events, and pop-ups.
- Amount: up to S$1 million per project.
- Repeat support: pilot events or concepts can be supported for up to four editions over a maximum of four years. Product pilot projects are limited to a single run.
- Supported costs: professional services (including audit and survey), production (including equipment and materials) and marketing.
- Assessment: STB assesses projects on increased footfall, increased foreign visitorship and unique editorial coverage.
Foreign organisers are welcome but STB encourages them to partner a local entity through a joint venture or consortium. A foreign events company planning a recurring Singapore edition may therefore want to set up or partner a Singapore entity before approaching STB.
Business Improvement Fund: productivity and sustainability projects
BIF helps tourism businesses improve productivity and competitiveness through technology, better business models and processes, and sustainability. It covers two project types:
- Core capability improvements: developing a business strategy, and adopting internationally recognised sustainability certifications or standards.
- Innovation and productivity improvements: automation, product development, and adopting or developing new and sustainable products, services or solutions.
Qualifying costs are third-party costs for consultancy (including sustainability certification), hardware, equipment and software, materials and consumables, training where it is an intrinsic part of the project, and project travel. STB assesses projects against one or more outcomes: growth in company value-added, growth in revenue and pre-tax operating profit, cost savings, and higher staff output such as fewer man-hours.
Hotels and hostels must hold a valid Hotels Licensing Board licence. Travel agents should also make sure their own licence is in order; see our guide to the STB travel agency licence. Our shorter BIF glossary entry gives a quick definition.
Hotel Rejuvenation Fund: comprehensive hotel renovations
STB’s June 2026 factsheet sets out the Hotel Rejuvenation Fund. The renovation must be comprehensive, cost at least S$3 million, and include all three components:
- Product enhancements that create differentiated guest experiences for specific segments (STB’s examples include families with children, active silvers and early-career travellers) and lifestyle trends such as wellness, sustainability and technology.
- Productivity solutions such as automation, technology and process redesign that deliver measurable man-hour savings.
- Sustainability initiatives that reduce carbon footprint, energy use, water use and waste.
| Component | SMEs | Non-SMEs |
|---|---|---|
| Product enhancement | Up to 50% of qualifying costs | Up to 30% |
| Productivity | Up to 50% | Up to 30% |
| Sustainability | Up to 70% | Up to 50% |
These levels apply to applications approved by 31 March 2027. Because STB’s processing can take up to 90 days after a complete application, hotels aiming for these rates should engage STB well before the end of 2026. STB also requires at least three roles to undergo job redesign. The SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant (Job Redesign+) may help with that workstream.
Example: an SME hotel planning a S$4 million refresh
Example: A locally owned 150-room hotel that qualifies as an SME plans a S$4 million renovation: S$2.2 million on themed family rooms and a new lobby experience, S$0.8 million on self check-in kiosks and housekeeping automation, and S$1 million on chiller upgrades, smart metering and water-saving fittings. At STB’s maximum rates the support could reach S$1.1 million, S$0.4 million and S$0.7 million respectively, or S$2.2 million in total. In practice STB funds only qualifying third-party costs and sets the final level after evaluating the project, so the hotel should budget on the basis that the award may be lower. This is a hypothetical illustration.
How do you apply?
For the Kickstart Fund and BIF, STB’s process is:
- Check eligibility using the chatbot on STB’s grants pages.
- Send an executive summary covering the project’s objectives, description, schedule and costing, using STB’s template, to [email protected].
- Wait for an STB officer to advise whether you may proceed.
- Submit the formal application with supporting documents if invited.
For the Hotel Rejuvenation Fund, contact the STB Hospitality team at [email protected] before the project starts. STB states that processing can take up to 90 days from receipt of the complete, signed application and documents, and delays in providing information extend this.
Documents checklist
- Executive summary in STB’s template: objectives, description, schedule and costing
- Quotations from third-party suppliers, unsigned
- Company information showing Singapore registration and, for SME rates, local shareholding, turnover and headcount
- Hotels Licensing Board licence, for hotels and hostels
- Baseline figures for the outcomes you will measure: visitor numbers, revenue, man-hours, energy or water use
- For the Hotel Rejuvenation Fund, a breakdown of costs by the three components and the roles to be redesigned
What happens after approval?
All three funds pay on a reimbursement basis. Costs must be incurred, invoiced to the grantee and paid by the grantee within the qualifying period. STB pays after verifying qualifying costs and the agreed deliverables and milestones, and grantees must normally submit an Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUP) report by a practitioner on the costs and supporting documents. Successful hotel applicants receive a letter of offer with STB’s terms and conditions.
Build the AUP into your budget and keep invoices, payment proofs and outcome evidence in order from the start. Our guide to grant clawback when KPIs are not met explains the risk of missing committed outcomes.
Common reasons applications fail
- The project has already started. STB treats a project as started if a tender was called, any supplier was paid, or any contract was signed before the application date.
- Weak tourism case. Kickstart projects are judged on footfall, foreign visitors and editorial coverage; a local-only event struggles.
- No measurable outcome. BIF projects need clear targets for value-added, revenue, profit, cost savings or productivity.
- Hotel project too small or incomplete. A Hotel Rejuvenation Fund project below S$3 million, or missing one of the three components, does not meet the criteria.
- Missing licence. Hotels and hostels without a valid HLB licence cannot use BIF or the Hotel Rejuvenation Fund.
Frequently asked questions
Is BIF part of the EDGE Grant?
No. BIF is an STB fund under the Tourism Development Fund’s Tourism Capability Development Scheme. It is separate from Enterprise Singapore’s EDGE Grant.
What percentage does the Kickstart Fund pay?
STB publishes a maximum of S$1 million per project but not a percentage. The amount depends on STB’s evaluation of the project’s scope and merits.
Can a foreign company apply for the Kickstart Fund?
The fund is open to all legal entities, but STB encourages foreign entities to partner local entities through a joint venture or consortium.
Is there a deadline for the Hotel Rejuvenation Fund?
The published support levels apply to applications approved by 31 March 2027. STB has not published what will apply after that date.
How long does STB take?
Up to 90 days after STB receives the complete, signed application and supporting documents.
Official details are on STB’s Kickstart Fund, Business Improvement Fund and Hotel Rejuvenation Fund pages. For grants from other agencies, see our directory of Singapore government grants for companies.
Information checked against official sources on 6 November 2026.
Free grant consultation: are STB tourism grants right for your company?
Raffles Corporate Services has in-house certified grant consultants who are experienced with Singapore grant applications and the full grant process, from checking eligibility and preparing the proposal and supporting documents to submitting claims and meeting the conditions after approval. We can arrange a free consultation to review your company and identify which grants, including STB tourism grants, may be applicable.
Email [email protected] or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133 to book a time. STB decides every application, and no consultant can guarantee approval.
The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services