Startup grants in Singapore and Hong Kong in 2026: what is open and who qualifies
Short answer: in Singapore, first-time founders who are Singapore Citizens or PRs can get S$20,000 to S$50,000 from Startup SG Founder, matched 1:1 by their own capital and applied for through an Accredited Mentor Partner. For project costs, Singapore replaced the EDG, MRA and PSG grants with the new Enterprise Development Grant Plus (EDGE) on 30 September 2026. In Hong Kong, the Cyberport Creative Micro Fund pays up to HK$100,000 to digital-tech projects, with the current intake closing on 1 December 2026, and the HKSTP Incubation Programme offers up to HK$1.29 million over three years with rolling applications. Hong Kong's Technology Voucher Programme stopped taking applications after 31 December 2024.
The Grant Index tracks 9 programs for startups in Singapore and Hong Kong, each checked against its official page (the date is in the "Verified" column). This guide covers grants and free programs that take no equity. We leave out loans, loan guarantees and equity or SAFE investments. Programs run in intakes, so check the status shown next to each one.
1. Singapore: Startup SG Founder
| Program | What you get | Who qualifies | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup SG FounderEnterprise Singapore | S$20,000–S$50,000 startup grant matched 1:1 by founders' paid-up capital, plus mentorship from an Accredited Mentor Partner | First-time, full-time founders who are Singapore Citizens or PRs with entrepreneurship training; at least 51% of shares held by Citizens or PRs and at least 30% by the first-time founders; company registered in Singapore for under 6 months when you approach the mentor partner. No earlier government funding for the same idea. | 2026-10 |
How it works. You do not apply to Enterprise Singapore directly. Pick an Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP) from the Startup SG list, build the application with them, and they recommend you. You must match the grant 1:1, and at least half of your share must already be paid-up capital when you submit. Approach an AMP early: the six-month company-age limit counts to the date you apply through them.
2. Singapore: EDGE replaces EDG, MRA and PSG
Enterprise Singapore's FAQ confirms that the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) and Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) ceased on 29 September 2026 and no longer accept new applications. They were replaced by EDGE, launched on 30 September 2026. The main points, checked on 30 October 2026:
- Support level: up to 50% of qualifying costs for SMEs and 30% for non-SMEs, rising to 70% and 50% for internationalisation and sustainability activities.
- Cap: S$100,000 per company per year (1 April to 31 March), of which up to S$30,000 can go to digital solutions, integrated enterprise systems and pre-scoped equipment.
- Who qualifies: companies registered and operating in Singapore with at least 30% local (Citizen or PR) shareholding. An SME has group turnover of S$100M or less, or 200 or fewer workers.
- Timing: you must apply before starting the project, as retrospective applications are not supported. The grant is paid as a reimbursement, and claims open from 1 December 2026 or 1 January 2027 depending on the activity.
EDGE fits a startup that already trades and has a defined project, such as a first overseas market or a software rollout. It is not seed money for an idea; for that, look at Startup SG Founder.
A note on Startup SG Tech. Enterprise Singapore's deep-tech grant (proof of concept up to S$400,000, proof of value up to S$800,000) gives the agency a right to subscribe for shares in your company. Because of that equity component, we do not list it as an equity-free grant here. Read its terms before you apply.
3. Hong Kong: seed grants for ideas and prototypes
| Program | What you get | Who qualifies | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF)Cyberport | Up to HK$100,000 (~$12.8k) seed grant over a six-month programme | Hong Kong ID card holders, or limited companies incorporated in Hong Kong, with a digital-tech project at idea or prototype stage. Three sub-programmes (Hong Kong, Greater Bay Area young entrepreneurs, university partnership), each with its own rules. Students can apply. | 2026-10-30 |
| HKSTP Ideation Programme pausedHong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation | Up to HK$100,000 seed grant in three milestone tranches over one year; no equity taken | HKID holders aged 18+, Hong Kong limited companies incorporated under 2 years, or teams that incorporate within 2 weeks of approval. Paid in three milestone tranches over a year; intakes in January, May and September, and the process takes about 3 months. | 2026-10-23 |
Which one first? CCMF suits digital products (apps, platforms, fintech, AI) and is a common route into Cyberport's incubator. HKSTP Ideation suits R&D-backed ideas and leads into HKSTP's own programmes. The September 2026 Ideation window closed on 14 September, so the next chance is expected around January 2027. CCMF's current deadline is 1 December 2026.
4. Hong Kong: incubation with funding
| Program | What you get | Who qualifies | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| HKSTP Incubation ProgrammeHong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation | Up to HK$1.29 million financial support for technology and business development over 3 years | Tech startups with a market-validated MVP or prototype in fields such as ICT, electronics, green tech or precision engineering; must meet HKSTP's admission criteria and be based on site. Overseas companies are welcome but need a Hong Kong business registration. Rejected applicants can reapply after 3 months. | 2026-10-22 |
| Cyberport Incubation Programme pausedCyberport | Up to HK$500,000 (~$64k) financial assistance + up to HK$200,000 (~$26k) on-site rental subsidy over 24 months | Digital-tech companies limited by shares, incorporated in Hong Kong for under 7 years (or incorporating), with founders holding at least 51% or absolute control and at least one representative working in Hong Kong. Product ready for market in 12 to 18 months. No equity taken. | 2026-10-30 |
Cyberport's next intake. Cyberport lists 1 December 2026 as the online deadline for its February 2027 intake, with vetting in January and results in February 2027, but also says applications "will open soon" while the programme is being enhanced. Prepare your documents now and check the page often. To graduate, incubatees must show at least HK$400,000 spent on eligible items.
Technology Voucher Programme. The Hong Kong government announced that the TVP would stop accepting applications after 31 December 2024. Pages that still describe it as open are out of date.
5. Regional and private programs
| Program | What you get | Who qualifies | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google for Startups Accelerator: Southeast Asia pausedGoogle | Equity-free mentoring, Google product credits and Cloud credits (amounts not stated), plus Cloud TPU access | Seed to Series B tech startups in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, with a preference for ML and AI products; three months, hybrid, cohorts of 10 to 15. The 2026 window (25 May to 20 June) has closed. | 2026-10-23 |
| Airwallex for StartupsAirwallex | Stage-based offers (e.g. AU seed: 3 months Airwallex Grow, fee-free first A$100k payments and FX) + partner perks; varies by country | Venture-backed pre-seed to Series A startups registered in the country of the offer, including Hong Kong and Singapore. Fee waivers and perks for new customers; some Hong Kong offers are limited to incubator members. | 2026-10-22 |
For compute and software credits, which are open to most Singapore and Hong Kong companies, see our cloud credits guide and AI credits guide.
6. Rules that sink applications
- Citizenship and ownership. Startup SG Founder needs Citizen or PR founders and at least 51% local ownership, and EDGE needs at least 30% local shareholding. CCMF and HKSTP Ideation need an HKID or a Hong Kong company.
- Company age. Startup SG Founder requires a company under 6 months old, HKSTP Ideation under 2 years and Cyberport Incubation under 7 years.
- Starting before approval. EDGE does not fund projects that have already begun.
- Matching capital. Startup SG Founder needs your 1:1 match ready, with at least half already paid up when you submit.
- Using old grant names. EDG, MRA and PSG are closed to new applications. Use EDGE for project support from 30 September 2026.
FAQ
What startup grants are available in Singapore in 2026?
Startup SG Founder gives first-time Citizen or PR founders S$20,000 to S$50,000, matched 1:1. For projects, the new EDGE grant (from 30 September 2026) covers up to 50% of qualifying costs for SMEs, capped at S$100,000 a year. Startup SG Tech is larger but carries an equity component.
Is the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) still open?
No. EDG, MRA and PSG stopped taking new applications at the end of September 2026 and were replaced by EDGE, the Enterprise Development Grant Plus, launched on 30 September 2026.
Can foreigners get startup grants in Singapore?
Startup SG Founder is limited to Singapore Citizens and PRs. EDGE needs a Singapore-registered company with at least 30% local shareholding, so a foreign founder with a local co-founder or shareholder can qualify.
What startup grants are available in Hong Kong?
The Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (up to HK$100,000; current deadline 1 December 2026) and the HKSTP Ideation Programme (up to HK$100,000; next intake expected around January 2027) fund early ideas. The HKSTP Incubation Programme (up to HK$1.29 million) and the Cyberport Incubation Programme (up to HK$500,000 plus a rental subsidy) support companies further along. None takes equity.
Is Hong Kong's Technology Voucher Programme still open?
No. The government announced that the TVP would stop accepting applications after 31 December 2024.
Program terms change often. Every program page linked above shows its official source and the date we last verified it; confirm on the provider's page before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.
Related guides
Browse the full lists: Startup programs in Singapore · Startup programs in Hong Kong