List Of Loans Available For SMEs

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In Singapore, there are a number of loan assistance schemes available to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to promote business sustainability. Not just for SMEs, there are also financing initiatives available for startup companies. They are as follows:

1. Microloan for SMEs

What is Microloan?

It helps SMEs get fixed interest rate loans of up to S$100,000 that will help them fund the daily operations of their business.

Who is eligible?

  1. Registered or incorporated in Singapore
  2. SMEs who have 10 or less employees OR has annual sales not exceeding S$1 million
  3. At least 30% local shareholding

Where can you apply?

There are 19 participating institutions – DBS Bank, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC, RHB Bank, Standard Chartered etc…

Interest Rates:

*Minimum 5.75% interest rate for loan tenure of 4 years and below.

* Subject to Participating Financial Institutions’ assessments of risks involved.

How to apply?

  1. Download the application form and the application form guide
  2. Submit the Application Form with the supporting documents
  3. Wait 3 weeks for the bank or financial institution to reply. Processing of applications may be longer depending on the size of the loan and other factors.

More information at : https://www.spring.gov.sg/Growing-Business/Loan/Pages/SME-Micro-Loan.aspx

2. SPRING SEEDS Capital (SSC)

SPRING SEEDS Capital (SSC), an investment arm of SPRING Singapore, co-invests with independent investor(s) in commercially viable Singapore-based startups with innovative and strong intellectual content that are scalable across international markets.

It also manages co-investment funds administered under Startup SG Equity, a scheme which catalyses private-sector investment for startups through government equity co-investment. Under Startup SG Equity, SSC supports early-stage startups across a wide range of technology and industry domain areas.

Startup SG represents the shared interests of the startup community and positions Singapore as a leading startup hub. It provides entrepreneurs with a launchpad to connect them to the global stage, and a platform to access local support initiatives. Currently, there are six pillars of support – Startup SG Founder, Startup SG Tech, Startup SG Equity, Startup SG Accelerator, Startup SG Loan, and Startup SG Talent.

More information at : https://www.spring.gov.sg/Nurturing-Startups/Pages/nurturing-startups-overview.aspx#StartupSG

3. Business Angel Scheme (BAS)

Raise funds for your start-up. For every S$1 invested by the business angel investors, SPRING SEEDS Capital will invest S$1. The maximum investment by SPRING SEEDS Capital is S$1.5 million.

  • Singapore-based companies who:
    • are incorporated as a Private Limited company for 0-5 years
    • have minimum paid-up capital of S$50,000
    • are developing innovative products or processes for the global market
  • To encourage proactive business angel investments in innovative seed or early stage start-up companies.
  • The minimum investment per start-up by the pre-approved Business Angel Investor must be at least S$75,000.
  • SPRING SEEDS Capital will match the investment S$1 for every S$1 up to a maximum of S$1.5 million.

* SPRING SEEDS Capital is a subsidiary of SPRING Singapore.

  • Start-ups who have already received funding under Start-Up Enterprise Development Scheme (SEEDS) can still apply under BAS for follow-on investment up to a maximum of S$1.5 million.
  • BAS is similar to SEEDS in its aims. The two equity funding schemes work together to help fund start-ups.
  • The Business Angel Investors have indicated industry sectors which they will invest in:

Business Angel InvestorsIndustry Sectors
BAF Spectrum Pte LtdICT Digital Media, Mobile Web, Innovation in Healthcare Services,Innovation in Education Services
Accel-X Pte LtdWill consider startups from any sector which are potentially scalable
August Capital PartnersSupply chain & Logistics Technology, Health and Med Technology, Nutritional Science Data Analytics, Other high growth sectors that have a regional or global impact
Jungle VenturesNew MediaI CT Web, Mobile Design, Consumer Products, Hospitality, Social Impact
Small World Group AngelsClean Technology, Optical Systems, Advanced Materials, Web ICT

4. Non-Financial Assistance For Startups And SMEs

You can receive non-financial assistance, for example when looking for premises or investors for your start-up. 

Home Office (HO) Scheme

Start-ups and SMEs can save on business costs like office rental by working from home.

  • SMEs who wish to operate a business from home.
  • You must be the owner/ tenant/ authorised occupier of a residential property to qualify.
  • To give would-be entrepreneurs the flexibility of conducting business from their homes to save on costs and build up their business.
  • If the property is an Housing & Development Board (HDB) flat or living quarters of HDB commercial property, you need to apply to HDB.
  • If the residential property is a private home, then you need to apply to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
  • You need to pay an administration fee (non-refundable) of S$20 for each application
  • You should be aware that you must meet the Your business must also not be a disallowed (“negative”) business, such as a maid agency or courier service.
  • See: Negative List
  • Some businesses do not need to apply for this scheme (e.g. residents giving private tuition).

sme

5. i.MATCH Programme 

  • Participate in this programme if you wish to invest in interactive digital media start-ups or if you are a start-up sourcing for funding to commercialise your products or services.

6. RentDirect Scheme

Businesses can rent vacant State buildings faster and simpler by making direct rental offers to the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).

  • Businesses looking for quick and ready premises. The premises are suitable for start-ups and niche businesses such as:
    • childcare centres
    • homes for the aged
    • foreign system schools
  • To allow businesses whose activities fall within one of the “Approved Uses” to make direct rental offers for vacant State buildings.
  • You may submit an offer for alternative uses when the property becomes available on a first-come-first-served basis.
  • SLA will receive all offers for the property for a 2-week period from the launch date. If SLA does not receive any acceptable offer, SLA will evaluate subsequent acceptable offers on a first-come-first-served basis.
  • Approvals can be as fast as 4 weeks for “straight-forward” cases. Under the regular tender system, the entire process normally takes 11 weeks.

In summary, there are many loan assistance schemes available in Singapore to help budding entrepreneurs or existing SME owners in business sustainability.

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