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No More “New Market” Limits: Is Your Business Ready for the 2H 2026 MRA Expansion?

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No More “New Market” Limits: Is Your Business Ready for the 2H 2026 MRA Expansion?

Enterprise Singapore is overhauling the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant. While the headline support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) rose to 70% on 1 April 2026, as highlighted in our Singapore Budget 2026 analysis, the second half of 2026 (2H 2026) introduces a structural rewrite of eligibility criteria.

This shift aligns with Enterprise Singapore’s enhanced digitization frameworks, streamlining applications natively through the unified Business Grants Portal (BGP) alongside the GoBusiness platform.

1 The Removal of the “New to Market” Restriction

Previously, the MRA grant structure restricted companies that achieved early commercial traction. Under the legacy rule, a company was not eligible to claim expenses in a target country if its annual overseas sales in that market exceeded S$100,000 at any point within the preceding three years. In 2H 2026, this restriction is completely removed.

What this means for growth-stage start-ups:

Double Down on Existing Markets

If you launched a successful pilot or secured early customers in a market (e.g., Indonesia or Australia) that pushed sales past S$100,000, you are no longer locked out of funding.

Exploratory to Scaled Operations

You can now deploy MRA funds to deepen market penetration, fund larger localised digital campaigns, and scale up customer acquisition pipelines in countries where you already have an existing footprint.

2 Inclusion of Non-SMEs and Large Corporates

Historically, MRA was strictly reserved for SMEs. The 2H 2026 update expands the framework to include large local enterprises and fast-scaling tech firms that have outgrown traditional SME definitions (group annual turnover exceeding S$100 million or headcount over 200 workers).

The support structure is categorised by company tier:

Company Classification Support Level (Until 31 Mar 2029) Primary Strategic Application
SMEs 70% co-funding High-velocity digital marketing, localised SEO, initial market-entry legal advisory.
Non-SMEs / Scale-ups 50% co-funding Setting up physical subsidiary offices, large-scale intellectual property (IP) protection, structural cross-border tax planning.

3 The Core Framework: S$100,000 Lifetime Cap Per Market

While eligibility criteria have widened, the foundational parameters of the grant remain intact. The S$100,000 lifetime cap per new geographical market is distributed across three distinct operational pillars:

A. Overseas Market Promotion

Cap: S$20,000
  • Localised search engine optimisation (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM).
  • Social media campaigns and platform optimisation tailored to the target market.
  • Space rental and booth construction for overseas trade exhibitions.

B. Overseas Business Development

Cap: S$50,000
  • In-market consultant retainers for third-party business matchmaking.
  • Independent market research and feasibility analysis.
  • Salaries for newly hired, in-market business development staff.

C. Overseas Market Set-Up

Cap: S$30,000
  • Legal fees for company incorporation, joint ventures, or licensing structures abroad.
  • Cross-border tax advisory and compliance mapping.
  • Trademark filings, patent applications, and localised IP protection.

4 Operational Checklist for Immediate Application

To capitalise on the 2H 2026 rollout without administrative delays, start-ups must align their compliance structures with the following directives:

✓
Maintain Local Equity Structure: The applicant company must be registered in Singapore and maintain at least 30% local equity (held directly or indirectly by Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents).
✓
Enforce the Zero-Retrospective Rule: Enterprise Singapore rejects applications if the project has commenced before approval. Do not sign vendor engagement letters, issue purchase orders, or make deposits before securing your application slot on the Business Grants Portal (BGP).
✓
Audit Your Vendors: Ensure your chosen consultants or digital agencies are pre-approved or possess recognised track records, as applications backed by unverified third parties face lengthy review delays.
⚠️ Important Regulatory Note

Ensure your internal management accounts and audited financial statements for the past two financial years are fully updated. These documents must be uploaded during the BGP application process to verify your group financial standing.

5 Maximising Your Global Expansion

The removal of the “new market” cap means your international strategy can be continuous rather than fragmented. Our corporate advisory team specialises in structuring international entities, optimising cross-border tax pipelines, and aligning expansion budgets with available Singapore grant frameworks.

Activate Your Global Growth Roadmap

Navigating updated compliance policies and unified portal requirements demands administrative precision. By aligning your scaling timelines with the updated Business Grants Portal (BGP) allocation parameters, we protect your funding eligibility from day one.

Map your 2H 2026 international expansion roadmap and unlock seamless cross-border market deployment.

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