Global Innovation Alliance Plus Initiative

The GIA+ Initiative is an Enterprise Singapore market-access scheme under the wider Global Innovation Alliance (GIA). It supports eligible Singapore-based startups joining curated overseas programmes in major innovation hubs and demand markets. The programmes are selected by Enterprise Singapore and are intended to connect startups with in-market experts, mentoring, resources and networks so they can refine their technology and business models and pursue overseas growth (Enterprise Singapore, GIA+ Initiative).

What the support covers

GIA+ can defray qualifying costs of participating in a curated market-access programme. Enterprise Singapore describes support for programme fees and in-market costs such as cost-of-living allowances and airfare, in addition to the programme's mentoring and network opportunities. The scheme is therefore an overseas market-access support route for startups, not a general-purpose startup grant or a guarantee of overseas sales, investment or incorporation (Enterprise Singapore, GIA+ Initiative).

The current page states separate support caps for general-tech and deep-tech programmes. Before the 2026 enhancement, eligible startups could receive up to 50% of qualifying costs, capped at S$35,000 for general-tech programmes and S$50,000 for deep-tech programmes. For GIA+ applications from 1 April 2026, Enterprise Singapore says support may be enhanced to up to 70% of qualifying cost items, subject to the respective funding caps (Enterprise Singapore, GIA+ Initiative). The 70% rate is a maximum support level, not a promise that every applicant or cost item receives 70%.

Eligibility and application boundary

The initiative is for Singapore-based startups that join a programme from Enterprise Singapore's curated or whitelisted partner list. A startup first applies to and is accepted by the relevant programme partner; after onboarding, it submits an application for GIA+ funding support. This sequence matters: GIA+ funding is not an open-ended reimbursement for any overseas conference, accelerator or travel plan, and acceptance by a partner programme does not by itself guarantee Enterprise Singapore funding (Enterprise Singapore, GIA+ Initiative).

GIA+ should also be distinguished from Startup SG schemes that support founding, technology commercialisation or equity co-investment. GIA+ addresses international market access through curated overseas programmes; it does not replace company-level eligibility checks, private investment, regulatory approvals in the target market or the startup's own commercial execution (Enterprise Singapore, GIA+ Initiative).

Application sequence and support interpretation

The scheme’s sequence is part of its eligibility boundary. A startup must first apply to and be accepted by the overseas programme partner, then apply to Enterprise Singapore for GIA+ support; the order is not an invitation to claim reimbursement for a trip that was arranged independently (Enterprise Singapore, GIA+ Initiative, rechecked 12 September 2026). The enhanced up to 70% support level applies from 1 April 2026 to qualifying cost items under the scheme and remains subject to the applicable cap—S$35,000 for general-tech programmes or S$50,000 for deep-tech programmes, as stated on the page. It does not mean Enterprise Singapore pays 70% of every expense, pays the higher deep-tech cap to every company, or pays before the application is approved. Programme admission, GIA+ funding approval and commercial success are separate outcomes. Applicants should use the current curated-programme list and EnterpriseSG application instructions for the specific partner, cost item and funding period rather than extrapolate from a headline percentage.