Having helped hundreds of Singapore founders navigate government grant applications, we've seen the same frustration play out repeatedly: a founder identifies a project they want funding for, spends hours trying to determine whether it falls under the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), or the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant — and by the time they've figured it out, the window for their project has already shifted.
That friction is exactly what Singapore's new EDGE grant is designed to eliminate.
Announced under Budget 2026 and set to launch in the second half of 2026, EDGE consolidates three of EnterpriseSG's most widely used business grants into a single, activity-based scheme. For Singapore SMEs and even non-SMEs, this is one of the most practical grant reforms in recent years.
This guide explains what EDGE is, what it replaces, and — critically — what your business should be doing between now and its launch.
Key Takeaways
EDGE is a new consolidated grant from Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) that replaces the EDG, PSG, and MRA. Launching in the second half of 2026, it allows Singapore businesses to apply for funding based on their intended activity — such as digitalisation, market expansion, or productivity improvements — without needing to determine which grant applies first. Support is capped at S$100,000 per year.
The scheme is part of EnterpriseSG's Business Refresh Package, announced at Singapore Budget 2026, which aims to streamline grant access and reduce the administrative friction that many businesses encounter when navigating multiple schemes simultaneously.
According to EnterpriseSG's official factsheet, businesses will no longer need to determine which grant their activities fall under before submitting an application. Instead, they can apply for funding aligned to their intended outcomes — whether that is enhancing digitalisation capabilities, expanding into overseas markets, or improving operational efficiencies.
For companies that require more than S$100,000 in support, applications will be assessed directly by EnterpriseSG on a case-by-case basis.
The three legacy grants each served a distinct purpose — but their boundaries were not always clear in practice. Many business activities span more than one category, making it genuinely difficult for founders to determine which grant to apply under.
A Singapore SME implementing a new HR management system, for example, might plausibly qualify under the PSG (which supports pre-approved software solutions) or the EDG (which supports broader capability building). Founders often had to seek advice before even starting an application.
EDGE removes that ambiguity. By anchoring applications to the business activity rather than an administrative category, the scheme reflects how founders actually think about their growth priorities.
The full scope of EDGE-supported activities will be confirmed when the scheme launches. Based on EnterpriseSG's Budget 2026 enterprise page, EDGE will cover activities currently supported across the EDG, PSG, and MRA — including digitalisation, capability development, productivity enhancement, and overseas market expansion.
Enhancements introduced to the MRA — such as the removal of the "new markets" restriction — will be folded into EDGE when it goes live. More details on eligible activities and assessment criteria are expected closer to the 2H 2026 launch date.
Understanding what each grant supported helps clarify what EDGE is consolidating — and ensures you can use the right scheme for any projects you are ready to pursue right now.
The EDG supported Singapore companies in building capabilities, innovating, and expanding into overseas markets. It was structured around three strategic pillars: core capabilities (such as business strategy, financial management, and human capital development), innovation and productivity (process improvement, product development, automation), and market access (overseas expansion strategy and business development).
Support under EDG was generally up to 50% of eligible project costs for SMEs, with assessments handled on a project-by-project basis. It was particularly well-suited to larger, more complex transformation projects. For a full breakdown of how EDG worked and the types of projects it funded, refer to our EDG guide for Singapore SMEs.
The PSG was narrower in scope — it supported businesses adopting pre-approved IT solutions and equipment to improve productivity. This included accounting software, HR management systems, customer management platforms, and sector-specific digital tools.
Because PSG operated on a pre-approved solutions list, applications were generally faster and more straightforward than EDG. Support was provided for the cost of the solution itself, rather than broader project consultancy.
Practitioner's Note: One of the most common grant mistakes we see is founders assuming PSG covers any software purchase. It only covers solutions on EnterpriseSG's pre-approved list, and the vendor must be an approved vendor at the time of application — not just at the time of purchase. Approving a solution retroactively is not possible. Under EDGE, this pre-approval structure may evolve, but until the scheme launches, this rule applies fully to PSG applications. If you are evaluating HR outsourcing solutions or payroll and HR software, confirm PSG eligibility before committing.
The MRA helped Singapore SMEs expand internationally by defraying the cost of overseas market promotion, business development, and market set-up. It was structured around a grant cap of S$100,000 per company per new market, with support previously capped at 50% of eligible costs for SMEs.
From 1 April 2026, MRA has already been enhanced: SME support levels have increased to 70%, and the enhanced S$100,000 grant cap has been extended. These improvements are live now, under the existing MRA scheme, ahead of EDGE's eventual launch. For a detailed walkthrough of MRA eligibility and how to structure an application, see our complete MRA grant guide.
The most significant operational change under EDGE is the shift from grant-based to activity-based applications. Rather than selecting a grant and then fitting your project to its criteria, you describe what you intend to do — and the scheme assesses whether that activity qualifies for support.
This removes a meaningful administrative burden from founders and directors, particularly those managing multiple concurrent projects across capability building, digitalisation, and overseas expansion.
Under the existing EDG, PSG, and MRA frameworks, eligibility was largely restricted to Singapore-registered SMEs (companies with annual turnover not exceeding S$100 million, or fewer than 200 employees). EDGE extends eligibility to all Singapore-registered businesses, including non-SMEs, for the first time.
Non-SME support levels and any additional eligibility criteria will be confirmed when EDGE launches. This is a meaningful expansion for mid-sized and larger companies that have historically been excluded from these grant schemes.
EDGE provides up to S$100,000 per year in support for eligible activities. For overseas expansion activities, SMEs can expect support levels of up to 70% of eligible costs — consistent with the enhancements already applied to MRA from April 2026.
The removal of the "new markets" restriction is particularly significant. Under the MRA, companies could only claim support for entering markets they had not previously operated in. Under EDGE, businesses will be able to access support for deepening their presence in existing overseas markets — a long-standing gap in the previous grant framework.
For Singapore companies already operating internationally, this is one of the most practically useful changes in the Business Refresh Package. Whether you are looking to deepen distribution in an existing Southeast Asian market or scale an existing overseas office, EDGE will provide a pathway to funding that was previously unavailable under MRA.
EDGE does not launch until 2H 2026. Between now and then, the EDG, PSG, and MRA remain fully operational and accepting applications through the Business Grants Portal (BGP).
If your business has a project ready — whether it is a digitalisation initiative, a capability-building exercise, or an overseas market entry — apply now. Do not wait for EDGE.
Grant funding is not guaranteed under any scheme, and applications are assessed competitively. A well-prepared application submitted today is more valuable than a deferred application waiting for a scheme that has not yet launched. For context on what makes a strong grant application — and the most common reasons applications are rejected — refer to our guide on 10 common grant application mistakes Singapore SMEs make.
When EDGE launches, applications will be assessed based on intended business activities. The clearest way to prepare is to document your growth priorities now:
Practitioner's Note: The single biggest mistake founders make with grants is treating them as a first step rather than a funding mechanism for a decision already made. EnterpriseSG schemes — including EDGE — are designed to support projects with a clear business rationale, not to fund exploratory activity. Before applying, ensure you can articulate the specific business outcome you are pursuing and why the funded activity is the right path to achieving it. Applications built around genuine strategic intent consistently perform better than those built around grant eligibility. For a broader overview of how Singapore's grant landscape fits into your growth strategy, see our Singapore grants overview.
Any business entity registered in Singapore will be eligible to apply for EDGE. This includes SMEs, non-SMEs, startups, and established companies. Additional eligibility requirements may apply depending on the specific activity being funded, and full criteria will be published when EDGE launches in 2H 2026.
Singapore-Registered Businesses — SMEs and Non-SMEs
The primary eligibility criterion confirmed so far is straightforward: the applicant must be a business entity registered in Singapore. This means companies incorporated under the Companies Act — including Private Limited companies (Pte. Ltd.), sole proprietorships, and partnerships — will all be within scope.
For foreign-founded companies, the registration requirement refers to the Singapore-incorporated entity, not the parent company or any overseas holding structure. As long as the operating entity is registered locally, the foreign ownership of that entity does not affect eligibility.
Based on the structure of the EDG, PSG, and MRA, additional requirements are likely to include minimum local shareholding thresholds for certain activities, vendor accreditation for technology-related claims, and project-level documentation demonstrating business need. EnterpriseSG has indicated that more details will be published ahead of the launch.
EDGE represents a genuine improvement in how Singapore businesses will access government grant support. By consolidating the EDG, PSG, and MRA into a single activity-based scheme, EnterpriseSG is reducing administrative friction and extending eligibility to a broader range of companies — including non-SMEs that have historically been excluded.
The practical implication for founders and directors is clear: understand what EDGE is and what it will cover, but do not let its upcoming launch slow down projects you can fund through existing grants today. The Business Grants Portal is open, the enhanced MRA support levels are already live, and a well-prepared application submitted now is always preferable to a deferred one.
When EDGE does launch, the businesses best positioned to benefit will be those that have already built a track record with EnterpriseSG through prior grant applications — and those whose corporate records, financials, and business strategy documentation are in order and ready to support a new application from day one.
Navigating Singapore's grant landscape — both under the current three-scheme structure and the incoming EDGE framework — requires more than just familiarity with the eligibility criteria. It requires a clear-eyed view of your business's growth priorities, the ability to translate those priorities into a compelling application, and the corporate infrastructure to support claims and documentation requirements.
ATHR's team of corporate advisors works with Singapore SMEs and foreign-founded companies at every stage of this process — from ensuring your company registration and corporate records are in order, to identifying which current grant best fits your immediate project pipeline.
Ready to evaluate your grant options before EDGE launches? Contact ATHR today for a consultation.
The ATHR Content Team is a group of professional writers from Singapore and the Philippines, committed to delivering informative, practical, and engaging content for business owners across Southeast Asia.
