Startup SG Tech Singapore

What does Startup SG Tech support?

Startup SG Tech supports proprietary technology projects at two different development stages.

Proof-of-Concept

POC is intended for projects where technical or scientific feasibility still needs to be established. The project should test whether a proprietary technology can work in principle.

Proof-of-Value

POV is intended for technology that is already technically viable and needs further development into a working prototype together with commercial validation.

The proposed technology should be breakthrough-level, build on proprietary know-how or intellectual property and have credible commercial potential. Ordinary software development, incremental innovation and simple integration of off-the-shelf components are poor fits.

Who can apply?

The applicant should be a startup registered and operating in Singapore and generally incorporated within the past 10 years.

The company should also:

• have at least 30% local shareholding;
• not have been a subsidiary of a corporate entity at the point of incorporation;
• have group annual sales turnover of no more than S$100 million or group employment of no more than 200 employees;
• carry out its core R&D activities in Singapore.

The technology itself must be proprietary and commercially viable rather than an ordinary implementation project.

How much funding is available?

Startup SG Tech is milestone-based rather than a standard percentage co-funding programme.

Current grant caps are:

• POC: up to S$400,000
• POV: up to S$800,000

Applicants must maintain the required paid-up capital contribution: at least 10% of the POC grant or 20% of the POV grant.

The equity/share-subscription component should also be considered when assessing the economic value and suitability of the programme.

What expenditure can qualify?

Qualifying project-development costs can include areas such as:

• technical manpower;
• equipment;
• materials and consumables;
• project-related professional or subcontracted technical services;
• IP-related costs.

The final eligible budget depends on the approved project and grant terms.

Key conditions

The project must not have commenced before application.

POC and POV have different technical-maturity expectations. A project should not be positioned as POC if feasibility is already proven, or as POV if the basic technical concept remains unproven.

Selection is highly competitive and considers technical novelty, defensible proprietary technology, project feasibility and commercial potential.

When should you apply?

Startup SG Tech is available on a rolling basis with no fixed public closing date currently stated.

The right trigger is before project commencement, once the technology scope, development objective and commercial case are sufficiently defined to support an application.

How does the application process work?

The programme starts with a Registration of Interest. Shortlisted companies are then invited to submit a formal application.

A practical sequence is:

1. confirm company and technology eligibility;
2. determine whether the project is POC or POV;
3. structure the technical milestones, budget and commercial case;
4. submit the Registration of Interest;
5. prepare the formal application if shortlisted;
6. implement against the approved milestones if awarded.

Is Startup SG Tech relevant to your project?

A strong fit is usually a Singapore deep-tech startup developing genuinely proprietary technology with a clear technical development challenge and credible commercialisation path.

A weaker fit is a project centred on routine software development, ordinary product customisation or integration of existing third-party technologies without defensible proprietary know-how.

The paid-up-capital requirement and equity component should also be considered early because they affect the attractiveness of the scheme even where the project is technically eligible.

How Reeve | R&D supports Startup SG Tech

Reeve | R&D can manage the incentive workstream—eligibility assessment, project structuring, funding modelling, application preparation, agency interaction and post-award requirements—while the company remains the formal applicant where required by the programme.

For Startup SG Tech, this includes positioning the project at the correct POC/POV stage, structuring milestones and the budget, and preparing the technical and commercial case for a competitive assessment.

Frequently asked questions

How much can Startup SG Tech fund?

POC can provide up to S$400,000 and POV up to S$800,000 under the current programme terms.

Does the startup need local ownership?

Yes. The current criteria require at least 30% local shareholding.

Does Startup SG Tech involve equity?

Yes. The scheme includes a share-subscription component in favour of Enterprise Singapore under the grant terms.

Can ordinary software development qualify?

The programme is intended for breakthrough proprietary technology. Ordinary software development and off-the-shelf system integration are poor fits.

Can the project start before application?

No. The project must not have commenced at application.

Related funding routes

• RIS(C) — for substantial R&D and innovation projects.
• EDGE Product Development — for eligible locally owned companies undertaking product development.
• Singapore R&D Tax Incentives — for qualifying R&D expenditure.
• Grant Management — for structured application and post-award support.

Official programme information: Enterprise Singapore / Startup SG — Startup SG Tech