Startup SG Tech
Startup SG Tech has been revised to provide successful applicants with greater ease of cashflow. For applications received from 1 August 2017, the grants will be awarded upon the completion of each milestone; unlike previously by reimbursement. To cultivate greater financial discipline and a growth-oriented mindset that is consistent among venture-backed startups, the grant will also carry an equity component where Enterprise Singapore will have the rights to exercise a share subscription.
The Startup SG Tech grant fast-tracks the development of proprietary technology solutions and catalyses the growth of startups based on proprietary technology and a scalable business model. Startup SG Tech is a competitive grant that supports Proof-of-Concept (POC) and Proof-of-Value (POV) for commercialisation of innovative technologies. Companies may apply for POC or POV grants depending on the stage of development of the technology/concept.
Through Startup SG Tech, companies may receive early-stage funding for the commercialisation of proprietary technology.
What is Proprietary Technology?
Proprietary Technology refers to a combination of processes, tools, or systems of interrelated connections, which may be derived from Research Institutes, Institutes of Higher Learning or Public Health Institutes. Proprietary Technology should ideally involve Intellectual Property (IP) or Intellectual Assets (IA) which should be owned by the individual/startup. The system integration of off-the-shelf components is not considered as proprietary technology.
E.g., A robotics startup has developed a custom end effector with a visual programming system that allows it to handle delicate objects. While the robotic arm required in the prototype may be considered as an off-the-shelf component, the software portion of custom end effector with the visual programming system can be considered proprietary technology.
Startup SG Tech is a competitive grant that supports Proof-of-Concept (POC) and Proof-of-Value (POV) for commercialisation of innovative technologies. Companies may apply for POC or POV grants depending on the stage of development of the technology/concept.
Eligibility
Your solution must:
- Clearly demonstrate how science/technology is applied;
- Be of a breakthrough level of innovation (i.e. distinctly different or new technology which either (i) has the potential to disrupt an existing market; or (ii) to replace, or create, a new market/purpose/niche.);
- Lead to or build on proprietary know-how/IP;
- Be commercially viable.
Applicants should be:
Startup Companies
- Registered in Singapore within the past 10 years at time of grant application;
- At least 30% local shareholdings;
- Company is not a subsidiary of a corporate entity at point of incorporation;
- Company’s group annual sales turnover is not more than $100 million or group employment size is not more than 200 workers; and
- Core R&D activities to be carried out in Singapore
Qualifying Projects
Your project must either be a:
Proof-Of-Concept (POC) Project
Your solution is at the conceptualisation stage, and the technical/scientific viability still needs to be proven.
It will be advised to clearly explain the innovative science or technology concept behind the solution. Individual applicants from public sector research institutes must demonstrate entrepreneurial commitment to continue their technology commercialisation work upon successful completion of the project.
To maintain financial discipline, startups will be required to inject an increase in paid-up capital of 10% of the POC grant. The grant cap for POC will remain at $250,000. Please refer to the FAQ for more details.
OR
Proof-Of-Value (POV) Project
You already have a technically/scientifically viable concept (POC available), and you wish to carry out further development of a working prototype, to validate the commercial merit of an established concept.
The technology concept you are building on has to be shown, and the commercial merit to be validated. It will also be required to demonstrate proof-of-interest from a potential customer or 3rd party investor, and the necessary business competencies to execute the project.
To maintain financial discipline, startups will be required to inject an increase in paid-up capital of 20% of the POV grant. The grant cap for POV will remain at $500,000. Please refer to the FAQ for more details.
Your project should fall under one of the following areas:
1. Advanced Manufacturing / Robotics
- Robotics
- Industrial IoT
- Advanced materials
- Augmented reality/Virtual reality technologies for manufacturing applications
- Urban & autonomous mobility
- Nanomaterials
2. Biomedical Sciences and Healthcare
- Life science tools
- Clinical diagnostics
- Medical device and products
- Digital health
3. Clean Technology
- Water technologies
- Waste management and recycling solutions
- Urban and sustainability solutions
- Sustainable energy generation and management enablers
4. Information & Communications Technologies
- 5G Technology
- Artificial Intelligence (e.g. Deep Learning)
- Cybersecurity Technology
- Quantum Computing Technology
5. New Industries
- Augmented reality/ virtual reality technologies
- Distributed ledger technologies (e.g. Blockchain)
- Space related technologies
- Smart Packaging related technologies
6. Precision Engineering
- Silicon photonics
- Sensors and actuators
- Composite technology
- Coatings
- Optics and lasers
7. Transport Engineering / Engineering Services
- Digital Transformation Technologies (e.g. automation platforms, AI, digital twinning, condition monitoring with IoT and predictive maintenance functions etc)
- Drilling and Process technologies (e.g. solutions for improved oil recovery, solutions for industrial process risk management, new testing technologies for the oil and gas and chemical manufacturing plant)
- Solutions for LNG and Offshore Renewables
- Specialty chemicals, materials (eg. lubricant additives, coatings, paints, formulations, resins, pigments, physical and chemical property modifiers)
8. Food Science and Technology
- Food packaging technologies
- Food testing solutions (e.g. rapid testing kits)
- Food Safety and Traceability Solutions
- Novel processing technologies (e.g. bio-transformation, food waste valorization)
- Novel products in the following thematic areas: elderly nutrition, functional food, protein/meat alternatives
9. Agritech
- Agritech solutions in the following thematic areas: urban agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, insects
- Agritech solutions along the agri value chain – Inputs, Systems, Farming automation technology
- Controlled environment agriculture technology
- Precision agriculture technology
- Regenerative agriculture
- Data platforms
- Automation & Robotics, agriculture hardware solutions, farm systems
- Biotechnology
- Agriculture traceability and assurance
- Climate change solutions (net-zero farming)
Points to note:
- Project must not have commenced at the time of application.
- Work should be done by the applicant (company), in Singapore, unless otherwise justified.
Apply
There are three stages for Startup SG Tech:
- Stage I (Registration of Interest)
- Stage II (Application and Evaluation)
- Stage III (Final Panel Evaluation)
Stage I – Registration of Interest (ROI)
Step 1: Download and complete the Enterprise Singapore Startup SG Tech Registration of Interest Form
Step 2: Proceed to go.gov.sg/helloesg to fill in the required fields and submit your completed form by uploading as an attachment along with a summary of the proposed project
You will be informed of your project’s eligibility by Enterprise Singapore.
Stage II – Formal Application and Evaluation
If accepted, Enterprise Singapore will invite you to submit a formal application comprising of a full business proposal and a cost breakdown. Both templates will be provided duly. Proposals are assessed for the innovativeness, technical feasibility and commercialisation potential.
Stage III – Final Panel Evaluation
Shortlisted (both POC and POV) applicants from Stage II will present their proposals to a final evaluation panel comprising of industry experts. The decision of the evaluation panel is final.