Introduction: What is the MRA Grant and Why It Matter
For many Singapore companies and SMEs, market expansion into overseas markets is no longer a luxury it’s a growth imperative. However, international expansion often comes with cost, complexity, and uncertainty. Barriers such as compliance requirements, unfamiliar market dynamics, and upfront investment can make even the most promising growth opportunities feel out of reach.
This is where the MRA Grant by Enterprise Singapore becomes invaluable. The MRA, as it’s commonly known, is a co-funding scheme that supports eligible local SMEs in their market entry into new overseas markets through subsidised market promotion, business development, and market set-up activities.
Through the MRA Grant, Singapore companies can receive up to 50% support, capped at S$100,000 per new market. This includes support for overseas market promotion, business matching, and help with legal aspects of market expansion. The grant is designed to encourage market diversification and support Singapore-based businesses in their global expansion efforts.
Whether you’re planning to penetrate regional markets like Malaysia and Indonesia, or looking at new territories in Europe or North America, the MRA Grant offers a financial safety net that allows you to test, build, and scale without shouldering the full risk alone.
This definitive guide will walk you through what the MRA Grant covers, eligibility criteria for Singapore citizens and permanent residents, grant application procedures via the Business Grants Portal, and how Cipta Mata can support your market expansion journey with insight and precision.
What is the MRA Grant and How Enterprise Singapore Supports It? market readiness assistance
The MRA Grant is a government-backed business grant administered by Enterprise Singapore to support Singapore-based SMEs venturing into new international markets. This grant is part of a broader push to promote Singapore companies as regional and global players in market expansion.
Key Features:
- Funding Support: Up to 50% of eligible costs (from 1 April 2024)
- Grant Cap: S$100,000 per new overseas market
- Eligible Activities:
- Overseas Market Promotion (up to S$20,000)
- Overseas Business Development (up to S$50,000)
- Overseas Market Set-up (up to S$30,000)
Business Entity Requirements:
- Registered and operating in Singapore
- At least 30% local shareholding
- Group annual turnover under S$100 million or fewer than 200 employees
These eligibility criteria ensure that the grant supports truly local businesses ready for global expansion and market diversification. It’s a crucial stepping stone for SMEs that want to stay resilient and competitive in a rapidly evolving international trade landscape.
This Market Readiness Assistance grant is tailored specifically to support new-to-market companies, as opposed to those with established sales figures or operations in the intended country. Therefore, it serves as an ideal first-step grant before scaling up with larger funding schemes like the EDG.
Why the MRA Grant is Crucial for Business Grant Applicants
The MRA Grant is one of the most accessible business grants available to SMEs for internationalisation. Here’s why it matters for market expansion:
- Supports business development and accelerates market entry
- Helps SMEs overcome cost barriers for brand visibility in new markets
- Offers financial flexibility through co-funding of key expansion expenses
- Boosts chances of securing reliable business partners through structured business matching
- Facilitates market diversification, reducing dependence on a single market
In many cases, the MRA Grant has allowed SMEs to open their first overseas offices, connect with verified distributors, or run targeted campaigns that would have been cost-prohibitive otherwise. By easing early risks, it empowers even first-time exporters to take confident steps towards becoming global contenders in their market expansion efforts.
Unlike broader grant schemes that support digital transformation or equipment upgrades, the MRA Grant is laser-focused on what really matters when entering a foreign market: visibility, access, and legitimacy.
How to Apply for the MRA Grant via the Business Grants Portal
To apply for the MRA Grant, SMEs must prepare their proposal and submit it through the Business Grants Portal (BGP). This centralised digital platform facilitates grant applications, supporting transparency, standardisation, and streamlined communication between businesses and Singapore’s public agencies.
Step-by-Step Application Process:
1. Pre-assessment:
- Ensure your business entity meets the eligibility criteria
- Identify your target market (must generate <S$100K in overseas sales per year over the last 3 years)
- Confirm that the market is not already supported by previous MRA claims
2. Plan Activities:
- Define the project duration, intended outcomes, and delivery timeline
- Engage qualified third-party vendors and gather vendor proposals
- Select activities such as digital marketing, PR activities, trade show participation, and advisory for export licenses, intellectual property.
3. Grant Application:
- Prepare your grant application via the Business Grants Portal, including:
- Company profile
- Business objectives
- Budget breakdown
- Expected results
- Include supporting documents such as market research, feasibility studies, and vendor quotations
4. Approval and Execution:
- Only commence activities after receiving written approval
- Retroactive claims are not allowed
- Document your activities thoroughly for later claims
5. Claim Submission:
- Submit post-project reports, invoices, proof of payments, and other financial documentation
- Align deliverables with the approved scope and maintain transparency
- Be prepared to meet any audit requirements set by Enterprise Singapore
The MRA Grant process on the Grants Portal typically takes 6–8 weeks for approval and another 4–8 weeks for disbursement. Be sure to account for this timeline when planning your marketing or market expansion launch.
What Can You Claim Under the MRA Grant? Business Grants Portal
The MRA Grant supports activities across three pillars. The total supportable amount is S$100,000 per market, but each activity has its own sub-cap.
1. Overseas Market Promotion
Claimable expenses:
- Overseas digital marketing campaigns (Google Ads, Meta, TikTok)
- Translated marketing collaterals and localised content
- Participation in international exhibitions and trade shows
- PR activities and influencer marketing
- Campaigns to boost brand visibility through social, search, or programmatic ads
This helps generate awareness, attract leads, and build brand credibility in your new market.
2. Overseas Business Development
Claimable expenses:
- Hiring of business development consultants with experience in your sector
- Lead generation and appointment setting
- On-ground B2B outreach, with reports on contacts and outcomes
These activities create pathways to revenue by identifying your most viable customer and partner segments, crucial for successful market expansion.
3. Overseas Market Set-up
Claimable expenses:
- Legal advice on customs compliance, regulatory licenses, and local taxes
- Foreign company incorporation or rep office registration
- Drafting of legal agreements and supplier contracts
- Intellectual property registration and brand trademarking
This final pillar ensures you’re legally protected and structurally prepared to operate within your selected country, including setting up overseas offices.
MRA Grant Pitfalls to Avoid When Using the Grants Portal
Even promising businesses with strong market expansion plans can face delays or rejections due to simple oversights. Common pitfalls include:
- Ineligible vendors: Only third-party, independent vendors are supported
- Activities started before approval: MRA is not retroactive
- Vague or unrealistic goals: Be specific with KPIs, timelines, and target customer profiles
- Incomplete claim submissions: Ensure receipts, contracts, and reports are filed and consistent
- Ignoring audit preparation: All claims are subject to review—be ready with backup documentation
A weak grant application can result in partial funding or outright rejection. Businesses that consult experts or engage grant consultants often see faster approval and smoother claims.
Conclusion: Apply for the MRA Grant with Cipta Mata’s Guidance
The MRA Grant is a powerful tool for SMEs seeking global traction without overextending their budgets. It’s built for agile teams, bold ideas, and calculated steps toward international relevance and successful market expansion.
At Cipta Mata, we help SMEs across sectors to:
- Identify strategic overseas markets aligned with growth potential
- Design integrated market readiness assistance plans
- Optimise costs to maximise your S$100,000 grant cap
- Align every detail to eligibility criteria and audit expectations
- Navigate the BGP without hassle
We offer proposal structuring, documentation review, vendor matching, and post-grant support to ensure you’re covered from application to claim submission, including guidance on establishing overseas offices.
Apply for the MRA Grant today. With Cipta Mata by your side, you don’t just expand you expand with clarity, confidence, and control in your market expansion journey.
