Kickstart Fund (KF)
Aimed at adding to the existing quality tourism software and enhancing the vibrancy of Singapore as a tourist destination, the Kickstart Fund (KF) supports the creation and test-bedding of innovative consumer- or business-focused concepts and events with strong tourism potential and scalability. The fund is designed to support new, untested ideas that could become signature events or concepts for Singapore. KF specifically targets multi-disciplinary, hybrid, and virtual events which can cut across lifestyle and/or business sectors. This includes but is not limited to pop-ups, B2B2C and B2B events. The key emphasis is on innovation, tourism potential, and scalability — the fund aims to help incubate ideas that could grow into significant tourism drivers over time. The latest TDF tranche included an increase in the grant cap for KF to support new and innovative events, reflecting STB's commitment to fostering creative and impactful events that enhance Singapore's position as a vibrant destination.
Eligibility Criteria
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Open to all legal entities: businesses, associations, government bodies
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Foreign entities encouraged to partner with local entities (Joint Venture or consortium)
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Projects must not have commenced at point of application
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Must be customer- or business-focused events/concepts including pop-ups, B2B2C events, B2B events, multi-disciplinary/hybrid/virtual events
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Events must cut across lifestyle and/or business sectors
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Project eligibility subject to STB assessment
How to Apply
1. Use STB Chatbot to identify the right fund and check project eligibility 2. Prepare executive summary using KF template with project objectives, description, schedule, and costing 3. Submit executive summary to STB_Incentives@stb.gov.sg 4. STB officer will advise on eligibility and proceed with formal application 5. Submit formal application form thereafter 6. Processing takes up to 90 days
Claims and Disbursement
1. Complete the project and achieve agreed deliverables/milestones 2. Engage a Practitioner to prepare an AUP Report on qualifying costs 3. Submit the AUP Report and supporting documents 4. STB verifies qualifying costs and achievement of deliverables 5. Grant disbursed on reimbursement basis
Frequently Asked Questions
Up to S$250,000 per edition.
Yes, multi-edition support is available for up to 4 editions over a maximum of 4 years.
Up to S$1,000,000 over 4 editions (S$250,000 × 4).
Consumer- or business-focused events and concepts, including pop-ups, B2B2C, B2B events, and multi-disciplinary/hybrid/virtual events.
KF supports new and innovative consumer/business-focused concepts and events with tourism potential and scalability. BEiS supports existing or new business events (MICE-specific). KF is for test-bedding new ideas; BEiS is for anchoring and growing established business events.
Yes, production costs including equipment and materials are covered.
Projects are assessed on increased footfall, increased foreign visitorship, and unique editorial coverage of the project.
Related Grants
Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF)
Singapore Tourism Board
Percentage of qualifying costs determined by STB based on project scope and merits (not publicly disclosed)
The Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) is aimed at enhancing Singapore's attractiveness as a tourist destination through supporting the creation and/or major rejuvenation of tourism products. TPDF focuses on larger-scale initiatives — building or rejuvenating major tourism products, including attractions and standalone infrastructure development, to strengthen Singapore's tourism attractiveness. A critical distinction is that TPDF specifically requires that major rejuvenation of existing tourism products includes the creation of or introduction of new content for visitors. Refurbishment work (i.e., hardware improvement and maintenance works) with no content refresh are not eligible. This ensures the fund supports genuinely transformative projects rather than routine maintenance. TPDF sits within the Tourism Product Development Scheme alongside the Cruise Development Fund (CDF) and Experience Step-Up Fund (ESF), but targets the most substantial product-level interventions — new attractions, major upgrades to existing ones, and standalone infrastructure that enhances Singapore's tourism proposition.
Tourism Development Fund (TDF)
Singapore Tourism Board
Varies by sub-scheme - see individual grant programmes
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) partners with the tourism sector to strengthen Singapore's tourism through the Tourism Development Fund (TDF). The TDF is the umbrella framework that encompasses all STB grant schemes, designed to catalyse the creation of innovative and quality tourism products and experiences, and support capability and employee upgrading efforts among tourism-related enterprises. The TDF consists of three main schemes targeting different dimensions of tourism development: Tourism Capability Development Scheme (including BIF, LEAD, and TIP-iT), Tourism Event Development Scheme (including BEiS, Kickstart Fund, and LEF), and Tourism Product Development Scheme (including CDF, ESF, and TPDF). Key enhancements to the latest tranche include increasing the grant cap to support new and innovative events under the Kickstart Fund, and supporting the development and enhancement of Singapore's tourism experiences that are virtual or include pre- and post-visit experiences under the Experience Step-Up Fund.
Experience Step-Up Fund (ESF)
Singapore Tourism Board
Percentage of qualifying costs determined by STB based on project scope and merits (not publicly disclosed)
Aimed at increasing the attractiveness of Singapore to visitors, the Experience Step-Up Fund (ESF) supports the development and enhancement of Singapore's tourism experiences. The ESF was introduced by STB to help businesses in the tourism industry enhance and innovate their tourism products and services, encouraging them to develop unique and high-quality tourism experiences that attract both domestic and international tourists. The latest TDF tranche includes enhancements to the ESF, supporting the development and enhancement of Singapore's tourism experiences that are virtual or include pre- and post-visit experiences to increase the attractiveness of Singapore to visitors. This recognises the evolving nature of tourism where digital and hybrid experiences play an increasingly important role. ESF is particularly relevant for attractions, tour operators, accommodation providers, and precinct businesses looking to create compelling new experiences or significantly enhance existing ones.
Business Improvement Fund (BIF)
Singapore Tourism Board
Up to 70% of qualifying costs for SMEs, up to 50% for non-SMEs. Additional 10% enhanced funding available for hotels implementing productivity solutions with Job Redesign plan
The Business Improvement Fund (BIF) helps tourism businesses boost productivity and competitiveness by supporting technology innovation and adoption, business model and process enhancements, and sustainability initiatives across the tourism industries. It is one of STB's most established grant schemes and is particularly targeted at companies within the tourism sector. BIF supports projects that lead to business transformation, capability development, and long-term sustainability. Companies in the tourism ecosystem — including accommodation providers, travel agencies, attractions, MICE organisers, tour operators, and lifestyle/retail businesses with a strong tourism focus — can leverage BIF to drive innovation, improve operations, and deliver exceptional visitor experiences. The fund supports both SMEs and non-SMEs with different funding levels for each category.
Healthier Dining Innovation Grant (HDIG)
Health Promotion Board
Up to S$5,000 per application
The Healthier Dining Innovation Grant (HDIG) is a funding scheme administered by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) designed to help F&B operators take the first step towards capability upgrading and undertake food-innovation related activities. The grant helps reduce costs incurred in developing healthier dishes across four key areas: Research & Development, Purchase of Healthier Ingredients, Culinary Training, and Recipe Reformulation. The grant is part of HPB's broader Healthier Dining Programme (HDP) which aims to make healthier dining options more accessible to Singaporeans. The HDIG supports the purchase of healthier ingredients such as wholegrains, Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) sauces, and lower-sodium salt from HPB accredited suppliers.
Business Events in Singapore (BEiS)
Singapore Tourism Board
Percentage of qualifying costs determined by STB based on project scope and merits (not publicly disclosed)
The Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) scheme aims to attract and grow high-quality events in Singapore in the long term, as well as catalyse the innovation of new content. BEiS seeks to encourage the business events industry to anchor and grow high-quality events in Singapore, and also aims to spark content innovation. BEiS supports activities that will build the foundation for quality business events in Singapore in the long term, including pre-event activities such as business and capability development initiatives, conducting of market feasibility studies, and bidding activities. The scheme is managed by the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau™ (SECB), a division of STB. Funding is granted based on the scope and merits of the project through a highly competitive evaluation process.