Quick answer: New Singapore businesses (typically under 2 years old) can access unsecured start-up loans (e.g. OCBC Business First, up to S$100,000), digital-bank micro/term loans (ANEXT Bank, S$5,000–S$500,000), the government-backed SME Working Capital Loan, or the Startup SG Founder grant (S$20,000–S$50,000, 1:1 co-matching) for first-time entrepreneurs. Match the option to your business age and funding need.
Walking into a bank for a business start up loan when your company is barely six months old can feel like showing up to a party you are not sure you were invited to. This is normal. The process is more straightforward than it seems, and several options exist specifically for new businesses. The real decision is not about finding someone who will say yes, but about matching the application mechanism to what you actually have on hand right now—your documents, your business age, and your willingness to explain yourself.
Launching a business in Singapore but unsure how to fund it before you have a track record? This guide covers financing built specifically for early-stage businesses — distinct from general SME business loans — including startup-friendly loans, digital-bank options, and non-dilutive government grants.
Start-up financing options
| Option | Amount | Collateral | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsecured start-up term loan (e.g. OCBC Business First) | Up to S$100,000 | No | Businesses 6 months–2 years old |
| Digital-bank loans (e.g. ANEXT Bank) | S$5,000–S$500,000 | No | Fast, fully digital application |
| Government-assisted loan (EFS-WCL) | Up to S$500,000 | No | Scaling operations, 50% govt. risk-share |
| Invoice financing | Varies (against unpaid invoices) | Invoices | Revenue-generating businesses with cash-flow gaps |
| Venture debt | Varies | Usually no | VC-backed, high-growth tech start-ups |
| Startup SG Founder grant | S$20,000–S$50,000 (1:1 co-matching) | N/A — equity-free grant | First-time entrepreneurs |
The Startup SG Founder grant
Unlike a loan, this is a non-dilutive capital grant of S$20,000–S$50,000 for first-time entrepreneurs with at least 51% local shareholding. Since April 2024, it runs on a strict 1:1 co-matching basis — you commit S$20,000–S$50,000 of your own paid-up capital, and Enterprise Singapore matches it dollar-for-dollar, for a combined package of up to S$100,000 deployed into the business. You don’t apply directly to Enterprise Singapore; you apply through an Accredited Mentor Partner (AMP), who screens your idea, issues a Letter of Recommendation, and mentors you through the roughly 12-month grant period.
Typical eligibility
- Registration: registered and operating in Singapore.
- Operating history: most lenders want at least 6 months of operation; some accept up to 2 years for “start-up” products specifically.
- Local shareholding: typically at least 30% Singaporean/PR-owned for most business loans; the Startup SG Founder grant requires 51%+.
- Director credit and guarantees: a personal guarantee from directors is common for unsecured loans, and founders’ personal credit standing is often assessed.
How to apply
- Prepare documents: ACRA business registration, financial statements if available, directors’ NOA (Notice of Assessment) from IRAS, and 6 months of bank statements if you’re not an existing customer of the lender.
- Compare lenders against your business’s age, funding need, and whether you can offer collateral.
- Apply online — MyInfo Business auto-fills company details for many lenders, speeding up applications significantly.
- Await approval — timelines vary by lender and product; digital applications are generally faster than paper-based ones.
Providers to consider
Rates, amounts and eligibility change frequently — confirm current terms directly.
1. OCBC Business First Loan
An unsecured loan for businesses 6 months to 2 years old, offering up to S$100,000 with a fast MyInfo-based application.
- Contact: +65 6538 1111
- Website: ocbc.com/…/business-first-loan
This suits the founder who wants to handle everything without walking into a branch. The MyInfo integration pulls your data from SingPass, so you spend less time digging out scanned documents and more time getting on with your day. You will answer straightforward questions about your business, and the system does the rest. No long face-to-face justification required.
2. DBS Business Loan
Offered to businesses with at least 6 months of operating history, with a digital application process.
- Contact: 1800 111 1111
- Website: dbs.com.sg/sme/business-loan
If your business has just crossed the six-month mark and you already bank with them, the digital application pulls much of what is needed from your existing relationship. You log in, the form already knows who you are, and you fill in the gaps rather than starting from a blank page. It is practical when your paperwork is thin but your transaction history already tells a story.
3. ANEXT Bank
A MAS-licensed digital wholesale bank backed by Ant International, focused exclusively on SMEs. Offers loans from S$5,000 to S$500,000, plus multi-currency accounts, via a fully digital application.
- Website: anext.com.sg
This works for the SME owner who operates across borders and needs more than just a loan. The multi-currency account sits alongside the financing, so you are not bouncing between different logins to receive overseas payments and service a loan. The application is fully digital, and the loan amounts scale with your business rather than stopping short just when you need more runway.
4. SmartFunding
A MAS-licensed (Capital Markets Services licence CMS-100637-1) peer-to-business financing platform connecting SMEs with investors, offering collateral-free financing up to S$500,000.
- Contact: +65 6776 2311 · [email protected]
- Website: smartfunding.sg
Peer-to-business financing means you are not convincing a credit committee behind a closed door—your application goes before a network of investors who choose to back businesses at your stage. This is particularly useful when your collateral is thin but your business case is strong. The process feels more like a pitch than an application, and that distinction matters when you are new.
5. Enterprise Singapore (government-assisted loans)
Facilitates government risk-shared loans through participating banks under the Enterprise Financing Scheme — see our full SME business loans guide for current caps.
- Hotline: 6898 1818
- Website: enterprisesg.gov.sg
FAQs about start-up loans in Singapore
This is not a loan you apply for directly. You go through a participating bank, but a portion of the risk is shared with the government, which changes the conversation. When you sit down with the bank officer, the framework is already negotiated. Your job is simply to show your business meets the Enterprise Financing Scheme criteria. The application script is more about eligibility than persuasion.
What’s the minimum operating period for a start-up loan?
Most lenders want at least 6 months of operating history, though some products accept businesses up to 2 years old under “start-up” criteria.
Do I need collateral for a start-up loan?
Most start-up-specific loans are unsecured, though a personal guarantee from directors is commonly required.
Is the Startup SG Founder grant a loan?
No — it’s a non-dilutive capital grant (S$20,000–S$50,000) for first-time entrepreneurs, on a 1:1 co-matching basis with your own paid-up capital, applied for through an Accredited Mentor Partner rather than directly.
How fast can I get approved for a start-up loan?
Digital-first lenders and MyInfo-integrated applications can respond within a few business days; traditional processes take longer depending on documentation completeness.
Last updated July 2026. Figures verified against provider sites, MAS’s Financial Institutions Directory and Startup SG programme documentation on 22 July 2026 — confirm current terms directly, as scheme parameters and lender products change.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. Compiled from publicly available sources; while we aim for accuracy, we do not guarantee completeness. Confirm all terms directly with the lender or Enterprise Singapore before applying. Let us know if you spot anything that needs correcting.
