Schemes and Initiatives
 Published Date: 13 January 2023

Extended Variable Capital Companies Grant Scheme


The Variable Capital Companies Grant Scheme (“VCCGS”), first introduced on 15 January 2020 for a period of three years till 15 January 2023, has catalysed the adoption of Variable Capital Companies (“VCCs”) in Singapore. With effect from 16 January 2023For VCCs incorporated or registered on or before 15 January 2023 as evidenced by the date specified in the Notice of Incorporation or Notice of Transfer of Registration issued by ACRA, the original VCC Grant Scheme parameters will apply. For further information, please write to vcc-fsdf@mas.gov.sg., the VCCGS has been extended for a validity period of two years from 16 January 2023 to 15 January 2025 (both dates inclusive) (hereinafter referred to as the “Extended VCCGS”). 

Under the Extended VCCGS, the Financial Sector Development Fund (“FSDF”) will co-fund 30% of qualifying expenses paid to Singapore-based service providers for qualifying work performed in Singapore in relation to the incorporation or registration of a VCC, up to a maximum grant cap of S$30,000 per application. 

See also:

Grant Details

   Details
Applicant Eligibility First-time Qualifying Fund ManagersRefers to: (i) a licensed fund management company, i.e., a holder of a capital markets services license for fund management under section 86 of the Securities and Futures Act 2001 (“SFA”); (ii) a registered fund management company, i.e. a corporation which is exempted from holding a capital markets services licence under paragraph 5(1)(i) of the Second Schedule to the Securities and Futures (Licensing and Conduct of Business) Regulations; or (iii) a financial institution exempted under sections 99(1)(a), (b), (c) or (d) of the SFA from the requirement to hold a capital markets services licence to carry on business in fund management, i.e., a bank licensed under the Banking Act 1970 ("BA"), a merchant bank licensed under the BA, a finance company licensed under the Finance Companies Act 1967 or a company or co-operative society licensed under the Insurance Act 1966. that must not have previously incorporated a VCC or successfully re-domiciled a foreign corporate entity as a VCC and must not have previously applied for the VCCGS.
Project Eligibility

The Extended VCCGS is available only to First-time Qualifying Fund Managers that have incorporated a VCC or successfully re-domiciled a foreign corporate entity to Singapore as a VCC for the first time, and have obtained a Notice of Incorporation or Notice of Transfer of Registration from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority ("ACRA") (as the case may be) which specifies a date between 16 January 2023 and 15 January 2025 (both dates inclusive). The following conditions apply:

  • The set-up of the VCC cannot be simultaneously funded by other government grants/incentives with respect to the same set of qualifying costs and commitments;
  • Each applicant may only apply for the Extended VCCGS for qualifying work performed in relation to one VCC that has been incorporated or successfully re-domiciled;
  • Qualifying expenses must be paid to Singapore-based service providers for work done in Singapore in relation to the incorporation and registration of the VCC and its sub-fund(s) (if any);
  • A Qualifying Fund Manager may not claim co-funding under the grant scheme solely for registration of sub-fund(s) (without the accompanying incorporation or transfer of registration of a VCC). However, a Qualifying Fund Manager may claim qualifying set up costs incurred for the registration of sub-fund(s) as part of the set-up of an umbrella VCC; and
  • Applicants should formally submit their applications within three months from the date specified on the Notice of Incorporation issued by ACRA (for a newly incorporated VCC) or within three months from the date of ACRA's approval of the VCC's evidence of de-registration (for a foreign corporate entity re-domiciled to Singapore as a VCC).
Funding 

30% co-funding of qualifying expenses listed below, capped at S$30,000 per VCC.

  • Legal services
  • Tax services
  • Administration or regulatory compliance services

Please refer to the downloadable Extended VCCGS Factsheet for full details on qualifying expenses: Extended VCCGS Factsheet (147.5 KB)
Minimum Operational Period  A VCC which has been awarded a grant under the Extended VCCGS is required to remain operational for at least one year from the Registration DateRegistration Date refers to the date of incorporation or registration as specified on the Notice of Incorporation or Notice of Transfer of Registration issued by ACRA (as the case may be).. This means that the VCC cannot be wound up within the first year from the Registration Date. In the event that the VCC is wound up within the first year from the Registration Date, the Qualifying Fund Manager is to inform MAS promptly and by no later than one week from the date of the application for the winding up or passing of resolution for a voluntary winding up. MAS reserves the right to claw back the grant awarded if the VCC is wound up within the first year from the Registration Date and/or if the recipient fails to inform MAS of the winding up of the VCC within one week from the date of the winding up.



How to Apply

Interested parties can write to VCC-FSDF@mas.gov.sg  to obtain the application form or for more information.