The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) is a grant administered by Enterprise Singapore that helps Singapore companies grow and transform. It funds qualifying project costs under three pillars: Core Capabilities, Innovation & Productivity, and Market Access. According to Enterprise Singapore, SMEs can receive up to 50% support on qualifying project costs, while non-SMEs are eligible for up to 30%.
What the EDG Is
The EDG was introduced to help Singapore businesses build stronger foundations, improve operations, and expand into new markets. It is not a cash grant paid upfront: EDG projects are funded on a reimbursement basis after eligible costs are incurred and claimed.
The grant funds three categories of qualifying costs:
- Third-party consultancy fees
- Software and equipment
- Internal manpower costs
Applications are submitted through the GoBusiness portal, administered by Enterprise Singapore. Projects are assessed on alignment with the applicable pillar, the company’s financial readiness to execute, and the commitment to worker outcomes.
The Three EDG Pillars
According to Enterprise Singapore, all EDG projects fall under one of three pillars:
Core Capabilities
This pillar supports projects that strengthen a company’s business foundations and prepare it for growth. The five areas covered are:
- Business strategy development
- Financial management
- Human capital development
- Service excellence
- Strategic brand and marketing development
Core Capabilities projects are suited to businesses that want to improve their operational structure, develop management systems, or build a more robust strategic foundation before scaling.
Innovation and Productivity
This pillar supports projects that explore new areas of growth or improve operational efficiency. The three areas covered are:
- Automation
- Process redesign
- Product development
Innovation and Productivity projects suit businesses looking to reduce manual processes, develop new products or services, or redesign workflows for greater efficiency.
Market Access
This pillar supports Singapore companies preparing to expand overseas. The areas covered include:
- Pilot projects and test bedding in overseas markets
- Standards adoption required for international market entry
Market Access projects are designed for companies at the point of international expansion, not for exploratory research, but for structured entry into a specific overseas market.
Who Qualifies for the EDG
To be eligible for the EDG, a company must meet the following criteria as set out by Enterprise Singapore:
Registered and operating in Singapore. The applicant must be a company registered and operating in Singapore. Foreign-incorporated entities without Singapore registration are not eligible.
At least 30% local equity. The company must have at least 30% local equity held directly or indirectly by Singaporean citizens or Permanent Residents, determined by the ultimate individual ownership. This applies regardless of the corporate structure.
Financially ready. The company must be financially ready to start and complete the project. Enterprise Singapore assesses this using financial indicators such as the current ratio. Companies in significant financial distress are unlikely to qualify.
Commitment to worker outcomes. From 1 April 2020, all EDG applicants must commit to worker outcome requirements as a condition of the grant. This is assessed as part of the application.
There is no revenue cap or headcount limit for EDG eligibility. Both SMEs and larger companies can apply. The distinction matters for the level of funding support available: SMEs receive up to 50%, non-SMEs receive up to 30%.
For the purposes of the EDG, a company qualifies as an SME if it has an annual sales turnover of not more than SGD 100 million, or employs not more than 200 workers. This follows the standard Enterprise Singapore definition of an SME.
How Much Funding the EDG Provides
The grant support level depends on company size. For the latest figures including changes effective from 1 April 2026, see the GoBusiness Budget Announcement for Businesses.
| Company Type | Maximum EDG Support |
|---|---|
| SME | Up to 50% of qualifying costs |
| Non-SME | Up to 30% of qualifying costs |
| Co-Innovation Programme (from 1 April 2026) | Up to 70% of qualifying costs |
Support is provided on qualifying costs only: third-party consultancy fees, software, equipment, and internal manpower directly attributable to the approved project. General operational costs are not eligible.
Funding is reimbursed after the project is completed and qualifying costs are claimed. According to Enterprise Singapore, claims must reach Enterprise Singapore no later than six months from the end of the project qualifying period.
What the EDG Does Not Fund
The EDG has specific exclusions that applicants should understand before applying:
- Costs incurred before the grant is approved are not eligible for reimbursement
- Recurring operational costs (staff salaries unrelated to the project, rent, utilities) are not qualifying costs
- Projects that do not align with one of the three pillars will not be approved
- Companies must be financially ready to complete the project using their own resources upfront, as the grant is reimbursed after cost is incurred, not paid in advance
Misunderstanding the reimbursement structure (particularly the requirement to incur costs before claiming) is a common source of frustration for first-time applicants.
How to Apply for the EDG
Applications are submitted through the GoBusiness portal. The process requires:
- Identifying the relevant EDG pillar and sub-category for the project
- Engaging a qualified consultant or vendor to deliver the project scope (for consultancy projects)
- Submitting a project proposal that outlines the objectives, activities, timeline, budget, and expected outcomes
- Receiving approval before incurring qualifying costs
- Completing the project and submitting a claim with supporting documentation within six months of the project end date
The quality of the project proposal is a key factor in the assessment. Applications that clearly connect the project activities to measurable business outcomes (and demonstrate the company’s capacity to execute) perform better than vague or generic submissions.
Working with an experienced EDG consultant can improve the quality of the proposal and reduce the risk of an incomplete or unsuccessful application. For guidance on selecting the right consultant, see How to Choose an EDG Consultant in Singapore.
How EDG Supports Legal, Compliance, and Strategic Advisory Projects
Many Singapore businesses are not aware that EDG funding can apply to legal, compliance, and business strategy projects, not just technology or market expansion.
Under the Core Capabilities pillar, qualifying projects include business strategy development and human capital development. Engaging a qualified advisor to develop a governance framework, a compliance programme, or a strategic growth plan may qualify as an EDG-supported project if the engagement meets the project criteria and the applicant meets the eligibility conditions.
Three Squared Nine’s Business Strategy and Partnerships Advisory services have been structured to support businesses navigating strategy and governance projects, including those that may be eligible for EDG support. If you are considering a compliance or governance project that may qualify, an EDG consultant can help determine eligibility before the project begins.
Frequently Asked Questions About the EDG
Is the EDG available to all Singapore companies?
Any Singapore-registered company with at least 30% local equity and financial readiness to execute the project can apply. There is no size restriction. SMEs receive higher support levels (up to 50%) than non-SMEs (up to 30%).
Can a company apply for multiple EDG projects?
Yes. A company can apply for more than one EDG project at a time, or across different pillars. Each project is assessed independently. There is no formal limit on the number of concurrent applications, but each must be distinct and independently viable.
How long does EDG approval take?
Processing times vary depending on the volume of applications and the completeness of the submission. Enterprise Singapore does not publish a fixed processing timeline. Submitting a complete, well-prepared proposal reduces delays caused by requests for additional information.
Can start-ups with no revenue track record apply?
Start-ups can apply if they meet the registration, equity, and financial readiness criteria. Enterprise Singapore assesses financial readiness using current financial data: a company with very limited financial history may face a higher bar on demonstrating readiness to complete the project. Having a clear project scope and a credible plan for project execution strengthens the application.
Is there a cap on the total EDG funding a company can receive?
Enterprise Singapore does not publish a fixed cap per company. The assessment considers each project on its merits, including the qualifying costs and the extent to which the project delivers the stated outcomes.
How Three Squared Nine Supports EDG Applications
Three Squared Nine has experience supporting Singapore businesses through strategy, compliance, and governance projects, including those that may be eligible for EDG funding under the Core Capabilities pillar.
For businesses that have already identified an EDG project and need support with the application process, see How to Choose an EDG Consultant in Singapore for a practical guide to evaluating and selecting a consultant.
For businesses exploring whether a specific technology project qualifies (such as digital capability development or mobile application deployment) see EDG Grant for Mobile App Development in Singapore.
Other Grants to Consider If You Do Not Qualify for the EDG
The EDG is not the only government-supported funding mechanism available to Singapore businesses. Companies that do not meet the EDG eligibility criteria (whether because of the local equity threshold, financial readiness requirements, or the nature of the project) may still be eligible for one or more of the following schemes. Even for companies that do qualify for the EDG, these programmes may be used in conjunction with or alongside an EDG project to maximise available support.
Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)
The Productivity Solutions Grant is administered by Enterprise Singapore and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). It provides funding support for businesses seeking to adopt pre-approved technology solutions and equipment that enhance productivity and efficiency. SMEs can receive up to 50% funding support on qualifying costs, with a typical funding cap of around SGD 30,000 per enterprise depending on the solution and applicable grant rules.
To be eligible, the business entity must be registered and incorporated in Singapore, the company’s group annual sales turnover must not exceed SGD 100 million or group employment must not exceed 200 workers, and the purchase, lease, or subscription of IT solutions or equipment must be used in Singapore. Unlike the EDG, the PSG is limited to pre-approved solutions listed on the GoBusiness portal: applicants cannot use the grant for bespoke consultancy projects or solutions outside the approved list. The PSG is suited to businesses primarily looking to digitalise operations, upgrade HR or accounting systems, implement cybersecurity tools, or adopt sector-specific equipment.
SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)
The SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit is a credit of SGD 10,000 for employers to offset up to 90% of out-of-pocket costs for supported programmes and courses. It is not a separate application: eligible employers receive the credit automatically and can apply it against qualifying enterprise and workforce transformation programmes, over and above the support levels of existing schemes such as the EDG and PSG.
The current SFEC provides a SGD 10,000 credit for employers to offset up to 90% of out-of-pocket costs for supported programmes and courses, over and above the existing scheme support levels. Eligible employers receive a one-off credit per entity, with up to SGD 7,000 usable for enterprise transformation and the full SGD 10,000 available for workforce transformation programmes.
The redesigned SFEC will launch on 1 December 2026 under the Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package, and all eligible companies qualifying for the redesigned scheme will receive a fresh SGD 10,000 credit through an online wallet system. Businesses that have not yet utilised their existing SFEC balance should do so before 30 November 2026, after which unused credits will expire.
NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant
The NTUC CTC Grant is managed by NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) to support applicants that have formed Company Training Committees to implement transformation plans that will lead to better worker and business outcomes. The grant provides funding support of up to 70% of qualifying costs for each project.
Importantly, the CTC Grant has a broader eligibility base than the EDG. Entities legally registered or incorporated in Singapore (including companies, societies, non-profit organisations, charities, and social service agencies) are eligible to apply. Government bodies, statutory boards, organs of state, and wholly-owned subsidiaries are not eligible. This makes the CTC Grant a viable alternative for organisations that do not meet the 30% local equity threshold required for the EDG, or that operate in sectors or structures that fall outside the EDG’s scope.
The application process requires the organisation to first form a CTC in collaboration with a relevant union, develop a transformation project demonstrating clear worker and business outcomes, and submit the CTC-endorsed project to NTUC’s e2i for grant assessment. Organisations are encouraged to engage e2i early in the planning process before submitting a formal application.
Choosing the Right Grant for Your Business
No single grant scheme is optimal for every organisation. The right approach depends on the nature of the project, the company’s size and structure, the applicable eligibility criteria, and whether the project involves enterprise transformation, workforce development, technology adoption, or a combination of these elements. In many cases, grants can be stacked or sequenced, for example: using the EDG for a strategic advisory or compliance project while drawing on the SFEC to offset residual out-of-pocket training costs, or exploring the CTC Grant for workforce transformation initiatives that run in parallel.
For businesses that are uncertain about eligibility or the most appropriate grant pathway for a specific project, early-stage assessment before committing to a scope or vendor engagement is strongly advisable. Costs incurred before grant approval are not eligible for reimbursement under most schemes, and selecting the wrong funding mechanism can result in otherwise qualifying expenditure being left unsupported.
Conclusion
The Enterprise Development Grant funds up to 50% of qualifying project costs for Singapore SMEs across three pillars: Core Capabilities, Innovation and Productivity, and Market Access. Eligibility requires Singapore registration, at least 30% local equity, and financial readiness to execute. The grant is reimbursed after costs are incurred (not paid in advance), so companies must plan their cash flow accordingly.
Disclaimer: This article is provided by Three Squared Nine for general informational purposes only and reflects publicly available information as at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, or financial advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Three Squared Nine provides in-house compliance and legal support services for internal and business purposes. It is not a law firm, and its services do not constitute legal advice or create a solicitor-client relationship. EDG eligibility criteria, funding support levels, qualifying cost categories, and programme requirements are subject to change without notice. All information should be independently verified with Enterprise Singapore and the GoBusiness portal before acting upon it. Three Squared Nine accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information contained in this article.
