The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) is one of Enterprise Singapore’s flagship grant programmes, designed to help Singapore companies grow, innovate, and internationalise. Since its launch in 2018 — consolidating several earlier grants into a single framework — the EDG has supported thousands of Singapore SMEs across a wide range of projects, from business strategy development to process automation and overseas market entry.

This guide walks through the EDG in practical detail: what it covers, who qualifies, how to apply via the Business Grants Portal, and what to expect after approval. If you have already compared EDG against other grants and decided EDG is right for your business, this is your step-by-step roadmap to a successful application.

What the EDG Covers: The Three Pillars

The EDG is organised around three strategic pillars, each with specific project categories:

Pillar 1: Core Capabilities

This pillar helps companies build the foundational capabilities they need to grow sustainably. Project categories include:

  • Business Strategy Development: Engaging consultants to develop a strategic plan, identify growth opportunities, or conduct feasibility studies for new business directions.
  • Financial Management: Improving financial processes, implementing financial systems, or engaging external advisers to strengthen financial controls and planning.
  • Human Capital Development: Investing in HR systems, talent management frameworks, and training programmes linked to business transformation.
  • Service Excellence: Projects to improve customer service quality, including the development of customer experience frameworks and service standards.
  • Strategic Brand and Marketing Development: Developing brand strategies, marketing plans, and digital marketing capabilities to grow market share.
  • IT Solutions and Processes: Adopting IT solutions to improve productivity and operational efficiency (distinct from product development).

Pillar 2: Innovation and Productivity

This pillar supports companies that want to move up the value chain through innovation and efficiency. Project categories include:

  • Process Optimisation: Redesigning or automating existing business processes to improve productivity and reduce costs. This is one of the most commonly funded EDG project types.
  • Product Development: Developing new products or significantly enhancing existing products, including R&D activities and prototype development.
  • Concept Development: For F&B and retail businesses, developing new service concepts or store formats that represent a significant departure from the current business model.

Pillar 3: Market Access

This pillar helps Singapore companies expand overseas. Categories include:

  • Overseas Marketing Presence: Establishing a marketing presence in a new overseas market, including market research, trade show participation, and digital marketing in the target market.
  • Business Development: Entering new overseas markets through partnerships, licensing, or direct investment, with consultancy support for market entry strategy.
  • Pilot Project and Test Bedding: Testing a new business concept in an overseas market before full-scale expansion.

EDG Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the EDG, your company must meet the following criteria:

  • Registered and operating in Singapore: The company must be a Singapore-registered business entity (private limited company, LLP, sole proprietorship, etc.).
  • At least 30% local shareholding: At least 30% of the company’s shares must be held by Singapore citizens or permanent residents.
  • Financially viable: The company must be in a financial position to start the project and bear the portion of costs not funded by the grant. Enterprise Singapore may request financial statements to assess this.
  • Project must be new or incremental: The project cannot be something you would do anyway without grant support. It must represent a genuine step-change in capability, innovation, or market access.

There is no hard minimum revenue or headcount requirement, but Enterprise Singapore’s evaluation will consider the company’s track record, the relevance of the project to the business, and the capability of the company to execute the project successfully.

What Costs Are Funded?

EDG funding covers qualifying project costs, which typically include:

  • Professional fees paid to consultants, vendors, or service providers engaged for the project
  • Software and equipment costs directly related to the project (on a case-by-case basis)
  • In some cases, internal manpower costs attributable to the project (though this category is more limited)

The standard EDG support level is up to 50% of qualifying project costs for most Singapore businesses. Higher support levels may apply for specific programmes or circumstances — check the current rates on the Enterprise Singapore EDG page before applying, as funding parameters are updated periodically.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the EDG

Step 1: Identify the Right Pillar and Project Category

Before doing anything else, map your project to the most appropriate EDG pillar and category. This is not just a formality — Enterprise Singapore evaluates applications based on how well the project fits the intended scope of the grant. A process automation project should be categorised under Process Optimisation (Pillar 2), not Business Strategy (Pillar 1), even if it was identified as part of a broader strategic review. Mis-categorisation can lead to rejection or requests to re-submit.

Step 2: Engage a Pre-Approved Vendor (If Required)

For some EDG project categories — particularly IT and digital solutions — Enterprise Singapore may require you to engage a vendor from its list of pre-approved solution providers. For consulting and strategy projects, you are generally free to choose any qualified consultant, but the consultant’s credentials and track record will be evaluated as part of your application.

Step 3: Obtain a Quotation from Your Vendor

You will need at least one formal quotation (and sometimes two or three comparable quotations) from your chosen vendor as part of the application. The quotation must clearly itemise the scope of work and the professional fees. Lump-sum quotes without a breakdown of deliverables and fees are not acceptable.

Step 4: Apply via the Business Grants Portal Before the Project Starts

This is the most critical rule: you must submit your EDG application before the project commences. Costs incurred before the application is submitted — or before approval is granted — will not be reimbursable. Log in to the Business Grants Portal with your Corppass credentials, select EDG, and complete the application form. The form requires:

  • Company profile and financial information
  • Project description (problem statement, objectives, deliverables, timeline)
  • Vendor information and quotation(s)
  • Project budget breakdown
  • Expected outcomes (quantified where possible — e.g., expected revenue increase, cost savings, headcount trained)

Step 5: Enterprise Singapore Evaluation

After submission, Enterprise Singapore will review your application. This typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, though complex projects or incomplete applications can take longer. Enterprise Singapore may request additional information, arrange a site visit, or ask for clarification on specific aspects of your application. Respond promptly to any queries to avoid delays.

Step 6: Receive the Letter of Offer

If your application is approved, Enterprise Singapore will issue a Letter of Offer specifying the approved project scope, the maximum qualifying costs, the funding percentage, and the project period. Read the Letter of Offer carefully. Any scope, cost, or timeline changes after acceptance require Enterprise Singapore’s prior approval — proceeding with an unapproved scope change is a common cause of claim rejections.

Step 7: Accept the Letter of Offer and Execute the Project

Accept the Letter of Offer within the stipulated deadline. Then execute the project within the approved project period. Keep all invoices, payment records, and deliverable documentation — these will be required when you submit your claim.

Step 8: Submit Your Grant Claim

After the project is completed (or at claim milestones specified in the Letter of Offer), submit your claim via the Business Grants Portal. Claims must be supported by invoices, proof of payment, and evidence of project completion (deliverables, reports, implementation records). Enterprise Singapore will review the claim and may conduct a site verification before disbursing the grant.

Common Reasons for EDG Application Rejection

  • Project already started: Costs incurred before the application date are automatically disqualified.
  • Project is business as usual: If the project is something the company would do in the ordinary course of business without grant support, Enterprise Singapore will reject it on the ground that the grant is not needed to catalyse the activity.
  • Weak business case: The application must clearly explain the problem being solved, the solution, and the expected business outcomes. Vague or generic project descriptions are a common cause of rejection.
  • Consultant lacks relevant expertise: Enterprise Singapore evaluates the capability of the proposed vendor or consultant. Choosing an unqualified or inexperienced vendor — simply because they are cheap — can undermine the application.
  • Company is financially unviable: Companies with very weak financial positions may be unable to demonstrate they can bear their share of the project cost.

EDG and Other Grants: Can You Stack?

In general, the EDG cannot be combined with other government grants for the same qualifying cost. However, a company may apply for EDG for one project and a different grant for a separate project, subject to each grant’s own eligibility rules. For guidance on how Singapore companies can use multiple grants strategically, see our article on how to stack Singapore government grants.

Post-Grant Compliance Obligations

Receiving EDG funding comes with ongoing obligations during and after the project period. These include maintaining the outcomes described in the application, not making material changes to the business that would affect the project’s rationale, and being available for Enterprise Singapore audits. Non-compliance can result in clawback of the grant amount.

For an overview of post-grant compliance obligations — including claims, audits, and clawback risk — see our article on grant claims, audit and clawback risk.

How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help

Raffles Corporate Services assists Singapore SMEs with EDG applications and broader grant strategy. We help companies identify the right grant categories for their projects, prepare strong application narratives, and navigate the Business Grants Portal process. We also advise on ongoing compliance obligations after grant approval.

For a comparison of EDG, PSG, and MRA, see our article on EDG vs PSG vs MRA: which Singapore government grant is right for you.

For the latest Singapore grant updates and business news, there are useful resources for SME owners and directors.

For business investment planning and financial decisions beyond grant support, independent financial guidance helps ensure your corporate development strategy is sustainable.

To speak with the team at Raffles Corporate Services, you can email [email protected] or call, SMS, or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133. We are happy to assist with any queries.

— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services