Expanding your business overseas requires both ambition and preparation. The costs involved in market research, legal setup, and marketing can quickly add up—especially if you’re entering a competitive and sophisticated market like Singapore. Fortunately, the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant can significantly lower the financial barriers to global growth. market readiness assistance grant
This grant offers up to 70% reimbursement for eligible costs and is a powerful tool for companies that want to establish themselves in Singapore. But to benefit from this support, you must go through a detailed application process that includes documentation, planning, and coordination with approved vendors.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step of the application process—from checking your eligibility to submitting your reimbursement claim—so you can move forward with confidence and avoid common delays.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before you start, it’s important to confirm whether your company qualifies for MRA support. The eligibility requirements include:
- Your business must be registered and incorporated in Singapore.
- It must have at least 30% local shareholding.
- Your group annual sales turnover must be below SGD 100 million, or your business must employ fewer than 200 workers on a group basis.
- Your company must not have already started the project before the grant application.
- You are not receiving other government grants for the same scope of work.
Tip: If you’re an Indonesian company, you can still benefit by partnering with a Singapore entity or setting one up through Ciptamata. We provide full assistance in incorporation, tax advisory, and setup services to ensure your business becomes MRA-eligible. enterprise singapore
Step 2: Define Your Project Scope with Strategic Planning
The MRA Grant supports three core types of market entry activities:
- Overseas Marketing (e.g., digital marketing campaigns, public relations, trade fairs)
- Overseas Business Development (e.g., business matching, lead generation, joint ventures)
- Market Setup (e.g., company incorporation, legal and intellectual property application, local regulatory advisory)
At this stage, you’ll need to clearly define:
- The business objective (e.g., increase brand visibility, secure distribution)
- The list of proposed activities
- A breakdown of project timelines
- The name and quotation of the third-party vendor(s) you plan to engage
- The project duration, typically capped at 12 months
Strategic Insight: This is where many businesses fail. The key to approval is aligning your activities with your long-term growth opportunities and proving that the project delivers measurable outcomes. Ciptamata can help you build a roadmap that’s compliant and goal-driven.
Step 3: Choose Qualified Vendors
The MRA Grant only supports services delivered by qualified, external third-party vendors. These vendors must:
- Be independent of your business structure (not employees or related parties)
- Be based in Singapore
- Provide itemized quotations and a clear scope of work
Ciptamata is a trusted service provider that offers MRA-aligned solutions in public relations, digital marketing, distributor outreach, and market entry consulting. We’ll ensure that your vendor selection supports a strong and credible application.
Step 4: Submit Your Application via the Business Grants Portal (BGP)
All MRA applications must be submitted online through Singapore’s official Business Grants Portal.
Here’s a simplified version of the process:
- Log in using your CorpPass account.
- Select “Apply for a Grant” and choose the MRA Grant.
- Input company and project details.
- Upload all required documents, including vendor quotes and scope of work.
- Submit your application for review.
Processing Time: Typically 6 to 8 weeks. However, complex applications or incomplete submissions may face delays.
Required Documents:
- Company ACRA profile
- Financial statements
- Vendor quotations and deliverables
- Project proposal or justification of market entry
Ciptamata works closely with clients to prepare strong applications and reduce approval time by ensuring the documents are accurate, detailed, and aligned with expectations.
Step 5: Await MRA Grant Approval
After submitting your application, it will be reviewed for several key factors:
- Business readiness for international operations
- Alignment with market diversification goals
- Credibility and relevance of selected vendors
- Budget justification
- Clarity of expected deliverables
Authorities may request clarification or additional documents before granting final approval. Once approved, you will receive a Letter of Offer detailing the funding cap and project scope.
💬 Note: You cannot start any project activity until you receive this approval. Pre-approved vendors must also wait for the green light before beginning any work.
Step 6: Execute the Project and Track Everything
Once the grant is approved, you’re ready to begin. Keep in mind:
- You must follow the timeline and scope as per the approved application.
- All vendor services and deliverables must match what was outlined in the original proposal.
- All costs must be paid by the applicant before claiming reimbursement.
Keep proper records of:
- Paid invoices and receipts
- Bank transfers or payment proofs
- Reports from vendors
- Marketing campaign results, leads, and business meetings
Ciptamata also assists in project tracking, documentation, and ongoing reporting—ensuring smooth post-approval management.
Step 7: Submit a Reimbursement Claim After Project Completion
After completing your project, you’ll need to claim your funding. The MRA Grant works on a reimbursement basis, which means:
- You pay the vendors first
- You collect and compile all proof of payment and deliverables
- You submit a final report with supporting documents
Claim Submission Must Include:
- Final project report
- Audit declaration or audited financial statements (depending on claim size)
- Proof of payment (e.g., invoices, receipts, and bank statements)
- Copies of all vendor deliverables
Timeline: Claims must be submitted within 3 months of project completion.
Audit Requirements: Projects with higher-value claims must undergo audit certification to ensure compliance.
Ciptamata provides hands-on support for preparing your claim package, ensuring that you meet all audit requirements and deadlines.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Starting the project before receiving official grant approval
- Choosing ineligible or related-party vendors
- Submitting vague project scopes or weak KPIs
- Missing the 3-month claim window
- Failing to document payment proofs
We’ve helped dozens of businesses avoid these costly mistakes. Our team ensures your MRA journey is seamless from application to reimbursement.
Why Work with Ciptamata?
Ciptamata offers complete market entry support for companies planning expansion into Singapore. As a qualified vendor experienced in MRA-funded projects, we provide:
- Strategic planning for global market entry
- Marketing, PR, and business development services
- Support with project documentation and timelines
- End-to-end assistance in grant submission and claim
- Risk management to increase the chances of approval
From brand visibility to business matching, we align each step of your project with the MRA framework to help you maximize returns and reduce risks.
Conclusion: Use the MRA Grant to Take Your Business Global with Confidence
The MRA Grant is more than just a funding tool it’s a catalyst for expansion, innovation, and international presence. With up to 70% funding support for market entry activities, it empowers SMEs to explore foreign markets, build brand awareness, and establish long-term growth in Singapore.
Don’t let complexity delay your international ambitions. With Ciptamata by your side, your MRA journey becomes clear, structured, and results-driven.
Let’s take the next step together.
Contact us today to get expert guidance and start your application with confidence.
