The Business Owner's Guide to Government Grants For Powering Digital Transformation

Note: This page was updated on 2 March 2023 to reflect the most up-to-date information available.

Since 2010, the Singapore Government has encouraged businesses in Singapore, including small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to undertake digital transformation of their businesses.

They did this by offering various incentives and grants over the years, including the now-defunct Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) Scheme, the Technology Adoption Programme, and most recently the SMEs Go Digital Programme.

These grants can help fund any new hardware and software that you need to digitalise your business processes, or cover any expenses for training that your employees need to gain the necessary skills in order to make full use of the new technology and tools that you’ve implemented into your operations.

But First Things First; Does Your Business Need A Grant? Here's What You Need To Consider Before Applying For One.

We’ve put together a list of government grants that can fund the software and services you need to enable the digital transformation of your business, based on the most up-to-date information that we’ve found from the respective official sources.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but covers the government grants that you should look at first, as well as certain grants that are exclusive to businesses in your particular sector.

For your ease of reference, this list is categorised into:

• Government grants that businesses of all sectors are eligible for.
• Government grants that are available to businesses in specific economic sectors.

What Should You Consider Before Applying For A Grant? We've Got Some Expert Tips That Will Be Useful For You To Know.

With this list, we hope to provide you with a resource that you can easily refer to at any time when you’re considering your options for funding the digital transformation of your business.

The Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) by Enterprise Singapore (ESG) first came into effect on 1^st April 2018, and combined previous Government incentives for encouraging businesses to digitalise their processes such as the Innovation and Capability Voucher (ICV), and support for pre-scoped solutions from the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) under the SMEs Go Digital programme.

If There's Something You'd Like Clarified About The PSG, Here Are Our Answers To The Top 13 FAQs About It.

The PSG is designed to support companies that are keen on adopting IT solutions and equipment for the purpose of enhancing their business processes. If your business operates in one of the following sectors, the PSG covers the acquisition of IT solutions which provides sector-specific functionalities:

• Accountancy
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Building & Construction
• Early Childhood
• Engineering Services
• Estate Agency
• Food, Food Manufacturing and Food Services
• Landscape
• Legal
• Logistics
• Marine & Offshore
• Non-food Animals
• Orchid and Plant Nurseries
• Personal Care Services
• Precision Engineering
• Retail
• Security
• Wholesale Trade

The PSG also supports businesses in adopting solutions that are designed for managing business functions that multiple sectors have in common, such as:

• Human Resources Solutions
• ERP and Standalone Solutions
• Fleet Safety and Fleet Management System
• Document Management and Mobile Access System
• Digital Marketing Solutions
• E-Commerce Solutions
• Cyber Security Solutions

To be eligible for the PSG, your business must meet the following criteria:

• The business must be registered and operating within Singapore.
• The purchase/lease/subscription of the IT solutions or equipment covered under the grant must be used within Singapore.
• For selected solutions, the business must have at least 30% of equity held directly or indirectly by Singaporean(s) and/or Singapore PR(s), which is determined by the ultimate individual ownership.
• The business has a Group Annual Sales Turnover not exceeding S$100 million, or a Group employment size not exceeding 200 employees
• The business must not be one of the following: Charities, Institutions of Public Characters (IPCs), Religious Entities, Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO), Government agencies and subsidiaries, and societies 

From 1 April 2023 onwards, the PSG will provide a maximum funding support of up to 50% of total qualifying project costs.

By the way, did you know that AFON IT Pte Ltd is a Microsoft Gold Partner, and are the vendor for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?

 SMEs are eligible for up to 50% Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) support for the adoption of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, a Pre-Approved Solution under the IMDA SMEs Go Digital programme.

Give us a call at +65 6323 0901 or get in touch with us here, and our consultants will be happy to get back to you shortly.

While the PSG is intended to help businesses take the first steps on their digital transformation journey by subsidising the necessary IT solutions or equipment, the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) by ESG is intended to support the growth and transformation of businesses in Singapore in a more comprehensive manner.

Established in 25 October 2018 to replace the Capability Development Grant (CDG) and the Global Company Partnership (GCP), the EDG is intended to help businesses fund qualifying project costs, which include third-party consultancy fees, software and equipment, and internal manpower cost. The scope of the EDG extends to three main pillars:

• Core Capabilities
• Innovation and Productivity
• Market Access

Under the Innovation and Productivity pillar which is intended to assist businesses with their digital transformation efforts, the EDG will help fund any projects started by your business to carry out:

Process Redesign

Projects which helps your business review existing processes, and identify possible areas where efficiency can be improved. This is a crucial first step to take before introducing automation or technology, and the scope of the project includes

• Review and streamlining of workflow and processes to reduce or remove redundant processes
• Exploring the use of technology to automate processes
• Review and/ or development of performance measures
• Development of tracking and measurement system
• Development of detailed roadmap of actions for further improvement
• Review of resource consumption and identifying areas of improvement
• Piloting and implementation of recommended processes
• Resource optimisation with specified projected quantitative resource efficiency improvements, such as reduction of:
  • Carbon emissions (tCO2e)
  • Energy consumption (kWh or kJ)
  • Waste generation (tons)
  • Water consumption (l or cm3)

Automation

Projects which supports your business’s usage of automation and technology which can result in tangible benefits and significant growth. The scope of the project can include the adoption of hardware or software solutions, and the training of staff to deploy these solutions.

Eligible businesses which are undertaking a large scale deployment of an automation solution may also apply for the 100% Investment Allowance (IA). The IA approves support up to net of grant, and the approved capital expenditure is capped at S$10 million per project. As announced at Budget 2023, the scheme will be extended for another three years until 31 March 2026.

From 1 April 2023 onwards, the EDG will provide a maximum funding support of up to 50% of total qualifying project costs. For sustainability-related projects, the EDG will provide up to 70% funding support up until 31 March 2026.

To be eligible for the EDG, your business must meet the following criteria:

• The business must be registered and operating within Singapore.
• The business must have a minimum of 30% local shareholding.
• The business must be in a financially viable position to start and complete the project.

If your business is eligible for the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credits (SFEC), it will also qualify for additional subsidies under the scheme.

Launched in January 2019 by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) as part of the SMEs Go Digital programme, Start Digital is designed specifically to help new SMEs and startups carry out the digital transformation of their businesses from the very start.

Start Digital offers the use of affordable and user-friendly digital solutions which are offered by the Start Digital Partners, in subsidised ‘plug and play’ packages called Start Digital Packages which are offered by six partners - DBS, Maybank, OCBC, UOB, M1, and Singtel.

If you apply for a Start Digital Package for your business, you can acquire at a minimum one foundational digital solution from the partners at no cost for at least six months, with a minimum contract of 18 months. The solutions cover the following core business functions:

• Sales Generation
• Business Efficiency
• Cybersecurity

If your business has only been established recently, or if you’re ready to pursue the first step of digitalising your business processes, Start Digital is probably a more ideal option for you compared to the PSG or the EDG, as both are designed for the digital transformation needs of more established enterprises.

Business transformation doesn’t just mean the digital transformation of your business through the implementation of IT software and equipment alone. It should also involve investing in developing the skillsets of your employees, and giving them the opportunity to take up new job roles and the better wages that come with them.

To helps businesses like yours achieve both objectives, the National Trade and Union Congress (NTUC) introduced the Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant, a S$70 million grant managed by the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i).

If your business has established a Company Training Committee with NTUC to enact:

• Enterprise Transformation to enhance your business capabilities, innovation and productivity through implementation of business software solutions, and
• Workforce Transformation to help your local employees (Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents) to achieve better career prospects through a Career Development Plan (CDP) and wage increases.

The CTC Grant will provide your business with funding support of up to 70% for your project. These can include the following items in your project:

• Implementation of business equipment or software, such as an ERP software
• Consultancy services
• Training in OEM or business software to support job redesign.

To be eligible for the CTC grant, your business must be legally registered or incorporated in Singapore. The following types of organisations are eligible:

• Companies
• Societies
• Non-profit organisations (NPOs) such as charities and social service agencies (SSAs)
• Restructured hospitals
• Autonomous universities (Aus)
• Social enterprises

The application period for the CTC Grant has been open since 1 August 2022, and it will end on 31 July 2026. To apply for the CTC Grant, your business must first have formed a CTC with NTUC. Then you’d need to develop and validate a business transformation plan with the members of your CTC.

Finally, you can submit your project application through the e2i Grant Portal.

Got Some Questions About The NTUC CTC Grant? Here Are The FAQs, As Well As What You Should Know About It.

Introduced in September 2022 to help businesses in the food services, food manufacturing, and retail sectors cope with rising energy costs, the Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG) is designed to provide co-funding support for investment in energy-efficient equipment.

The EEG will provide two different tiers of support; consisting of a basic tier that provides support for pre-approved EE equipment, and an advanced tier to support businesses for larger investments that drive energy efficiency.

Basic Tier

For the basic tier, the EEG will provide SMEs with up to 70% support, and non-SMEs with up to 30% support, when they adopt pre-approved energy-efficient (EE) equipment in these categories;

• Air Conditioners
• Clothes Dryers
  
• Cooking Hobs
• LED Lighting
  
• Refrigerators
• Water Heaters

For businesses in the Manufacturing sector, they are also eligible for EEG funding for the following categories of EE equipment;

• Boiler Systems
• Compressed Air Systems
• Motors

To be eligible for the basic tier, your business must be registered and operating within Singapore in the following sectors as defined below;

• Food Services: Business possesses a valid Singapore Food Agency (SFA) licence, classified under SSICs 56 or 68104.
• Manufacturing (including Food Manufacturing): Business is classified under SSICs 10 to 32, possesses a valid Singapore Food Agency (SFA) licence if in Food Manufacturing.
• Retail: Business is classified under SSIC 47.

Advanced Tier

For its advanced tier, which only businesses in the Manufacturing sector are eligible for, the EEG will provide up to S$350,000 across both the basic and advanced tiers, with the total funding set at the lower of either;

• Support levels under the base tier, or
• Grant quantum based on EE equipment's expected lifetime energy savings.

The EE equipment acquired under the advanced tier do not need to be pre-approved, but must demonstrate it can lead to energy savings of above 350t lifetime carbon abatement.

Other Criteria

In addition, your business must also meet the following criteria:

• Has a minimum of 30% local shareholding
• Has a Group Annual Sales Turnover not exceeding S$500 million EEG funding must be used within Singapore.
• EE Equipment purchased with the EEG funding must be used in singapore.

If your business is eligible, you may submit applications for the purchase of EE equipment through the Business Grants Portal (BGP), up until 31 March 2026. The exception are businesses in the Manufacturing sector, which must apply for the EEG (whether base or advanced tier) via the following email: NEA_EEG@nea.gov.sg

However, your business must not have made any payment and/or any form of deposit to a supplier, vendor or third party before application for the EEG, or it may be rejected.

Your business will have up to 1 year from the time its application is approved to purchase and install the equipment, and submit its claims for reimbursement.

Once you've submitted your application, you may choose to have your business purchase the equipment before the outcome of your application is released.

Part of the BuildSG Transformation Fund by the Building and Construction Authority, (BCA), the Productivity Innovation Project (PIP) is intended to help businesses in the construction industry defray the costs of re-engineering work processes or adopting labour-efficient construction technologies to reduce manpower needs or improve site productivity.

As announced at the Ministry of National Development's (MND) COS 2024, the PIP scheme will be extended to 31 March 2025.

Your business is eligible for the PIP if it’s registered and physically present as a company in the construction sector in Singapore. The following costs can be supported on a co-funding and reimbursement basis:

• Manpower
• Equipment and Materials
• Professional Services
• Intellectual Property Rights

To support the digital transformation of your construction business, the PIP will co-fund up to 70% of qualifying costs for productivity improvements under the Technologies and Innovations category, the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) Manufacturing Facilities category, or the Integrated Digital Delivery digitalisation programme.

Sea Transport Industry Digital Plan (IDP)

A joint initiative with IMDA, ESG and SkillsFuture Singapore as part of the SMEs Go Digital programme, the Sea Transport Industry Digital Plan (IDP) is intended to help SMEs in the ship agency and harbour craft sectors to adopt digital solutions that they need at each stage of their growth.

The IDP includes a list of maritime-specific digital solutions that are curated by the Maritime Port Authority (MPA) and IMDA to meet the digitalisation needs of the ship agency and harbour craft sector.

If your business is in either sector and you apply successfully for the Sea Transport IDP Grant, you’ll get funding of up to 70% of the solution’s costs, subject to a cap of S$30,000 per Financial Year per SME applicant.

Do take note that the Sea Transport IDP does not apply to non-maritime specific digital solutions. To fund those, you should apply for the PSG or Start Digital instead.

Offered by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Business Improvement Fund (BIF) aims to encourage innovation and adoption of technology, as well as the redesigning of business models and processes to improve productivity and competitive in the tourism sector.

If your business is registered in Singapore, and is 1) a tourism company that’s taking on capability development initiatives, or 2) a technology company that creates innovative technological products and services catered towards businesses in the tourism sector, it is eligible for funding under the BIF.

The BIF is aligned to the EDG, and as such encourages tourism businesses to undertake digital transformation under the Innovation & Productivity pillar. If your business is engaged in projects to redesign or automate your processes, you may apply for funding under the BIF.

If your application is successful, you will receive funding support for qualifying costs, subject to the STB’s evaluation of the scope and merits of your project. These qualifying costs includes third-party project-related costs such as professional services, testing and certification, training expenses, acquisition of hardware and software, travel costs, and internal manpower costs associated with the project.

Note:  Application for the Tech-and-GO! grant is now available year-round.

The Tech-and-GO! grant is a series of funding initiatives intended to help Social Service Agencies (SSAs) take up new IT solutions and project consultancy services.

Because SSAs are not eligible for grants such as the PSG and the EDG, the Tech-and-GO! grant was established by the NCSS as an equivalent for SSAs.

Because of this, Tech-and-GO! provides funding support for many of the same IT solutions and tools that are covered under the PSG and EDG.

The Tech-and-GO! grant comes in two tiers:

Tier 1: Start Digital - The 'PSG' Grant for SSAs

Not to be confused with the grant from IMDA of the same name, Start Digital is the first tier of the Tech-and-GO! grant.

This tier is the equivalent of the PSG for SSAs, and provides funding up to 80% of total costs (up to an MFA of $30,000) for acquiring an IT solution.

This can be either a pre-scoped IT solution listed in the GovAssist website for PSG grants, or one shortlisted as a Green Lane solution - one with features or functionalities that cater to the unique needs of SSAs.

Tier 2: Go Digital - The 'EDG' Grant For SSAs

Intended to help support SSAs in acquiring large-scale or highly-specialised IT projects totalling more than $37,000 in costs, Go Digital is the second tier of the Tech-and-GO! grant.

It's the equivalent of the EDG for SSAs, and covers:

• 80% of total costs in the first year, and
• 50% of total costs in the second and third year

for acquiring IT solutions, up to an MFA of $30,000.

To Get More Details About The Tech-and-GO! Grant, Click Here To Read Our Deep Dive Into The Funding Initiative For SSAs.

The Singapore Government has always been keen to help local businesses kick off the digital transformation of their operations, in preparation for the digital economy that will emerge and dominate the economic landscape in the 2020s.

To that effect, they have launched and reworked various government grants for funding digital transformation efforts by businesses, responding to feedback from businesses like yours so that they can fine-tune the funding to better suit your business transformation needs.

This has led to the selection of grants for funding digital transformation from the various government agencies today, both those which are available for businesses in general and those which businesses in specific sectors can apply for.

Therefore, you should seriously consider the prospect of undertaking a digital transformation project for your business, especially since this is key for keeping your business viable in the digital economy in the long term.

And if you’re worried about the funding you’ll need for such a comprehensive overhaul of your business processes, you should also look at what government grants are available to help you fund such an effort.

For example, the implementation of an ERP software would be an option that offers some of the best value for your money, since they integrate your business functions into a single source of truth and give you full visibility into your business processes.

And if you can fund an ERP implementation project by applying for the government grants that your business is eligible for, it would help your business take a significant step in its digital transformation process at a much more affordable cost to your finances.

If you'd like to know more details about the government grants which your business may be eligible for, we recommend getting in touch with the respective government agencies or statutory boards behind each grant to arrange for a consultation with them.

We hope you found this list of government grants that will help your digital transformation efforts useful, and look forward to hearing from you soon!