Local companies can tap a range of avenues to access capital that they may need to innovate, transform and scale up their businesses. "To catalyse the flow of capital and bridge market gaps, the Government will step up risksharing arrangements with providers of capital and provide grants to support businesses at various stages of growth," Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said yesterday. For high-growth companies including start-ups, the Venture Debt Programme will be extended and enhanced - with an increase in the cap on loan quantum support from $5 million to $8 million. "With this, we expect about $45 million of venture debt to be catalysed over the next year," Mr Heng said.