Upgrade and Grow Your Business with EDG Grant

EDG Grant Frequently Asked Questions 

What is EDG?
EDG stands for Enterprise Development Grant. This grant was announced in the Annual Budget 2018. In short, EDG is a grant for established local Singapore SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) to help them grow and transform their businesses.

How much funding can I expect with EDG Grant?
You can expect funding up to 80%. Though the original support level (applicable in the pre-COVID-19 period) was 70%, it was elevated to 80% in the Supplementary Budget to cope with the market uncertainty. Only SMEs badly affected by COVID-19, such as the tourism sector, were declared the maximum support level of 90% purely on a case-to-case basis at the sole discretion of ESG; this support ended on 31st December, 2020.

Who is the sanctioning authority for EDG
Enterprise Singapore (ESG) is the approving authority for all EDG grants.

What is CDG?
The CDG (Capability Development Grant) was the support program available to SMEs before the EDG Grant was announced. It was administered by SPRING Singapore, which has since merged with IE Singapore to form Enterprise Singapore. The EDG Grant thus has combined features that represent both the administering agencies.

What maximum fund can I expect?
The approved level of funding is at the sole discretion of Enterprise Singapore. They will apply various criteria to determine eligibility and support level of funding. In practice, the amount sanctioned may depend on the scale and scope of your transformation project as also your company track record, annual turnover, and employee headcount.

I want to know about the type of projects covered under the EDG Grant
Broadly, the projects are grouped under these three heads:

1. Core Capabilities
   a) Strategic Brand and Marketing Development
   b) Business Strategy Development
   c) Human Capital Development
   d) Service Excellence
   e) Financial Management

2. Innovation and Productivity
   a) Process Redesign
   b) Product Development
   c) Automation

3. Market Access
   a)Overseas Marketing Presence (OMP)
   b)Market Access
   c)Pilot Project and Test Bedding
   d)Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

Do I qualify for EDG Grant? 
To be eligible, you are required to:

1. Have a registered company operating in Singapore
2. Have at least 30% local shareholding
3. Be in a financially viable position to start and complete the project.

And if you come from a big organisation, your organisation or group holdings should

1. Have less than $100 million in revenue
2. Employ fewer than 200 employees.

Kindly elaborate on the condition: “Be in a financially viable position to start and complete the project.”
This condition is important because the grant is offered on a reimbursement basis. It means the SME should demonstrate enough cash flow to fund the project and then claim reimbursement after successful completion and audit. It means a company should be in good financial health, with a good turnover and financial resources for the past three years. You must submit key financial workforce numbers for this period at the time of grant application.

What is the segment-wise allocation of subsidy?
This year until 31st March 2023, the funding cap is up to 80% for the Food Services and Retail Sector, while the rest of the sectors may get up to 70%.

What about minimum employee size?
It has to be more than one employee, though a company with a substantial headcount may be in an ideal position to qualify. However, the headcount should exclude the management team (directors, partners or owners). 

Do I have to consider KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for starting an EDG project?
That’s right. As part of the project, SMEs must commit to enhancing workers’ well-being. Areas of improvement typically include creating more jobs and increasing capabilities and wages.

Do startup businesses qualify for EDG?
If you are a startup, please visit the Startup SG network and explore the ecosystem specifically created for startup entities.

What is the tentative project lifecycle of a typical EDG project? 
Depending on the scope of your project, the timeline could range from 4 to 12 months. This includes time to establish proposed objectives and conduct research. Our typical projects take about 4 to 6 months.

Why do I need ‘certified consultants’?
SMEs seeking EDG support for consultancy-related costs under their capability upgrading projects must engage management consultants with Enterprise Singapore-recognized certification.

SCMC from TÜV SÜD is a programme duly recognised by Enterprise Singapore. If you are an SME looking to upgrade your business and seeking financial support under the EDG Grant, Mayuresh, with his SCMC certification, is eligible to assist you.

Is Mayuresh Godse a certified consultant?  
Yes, indeed! Mayuresh Godse is an Expert Singapore Certified Management Consultant (SCMC-1702-E0013). He is fully authorised to offer his expert services for grant-applicable projects.

How complex is the application process? 
The application process is relatively straightforward. You can easily apply for EDG Grant at Singapore Business Grants Portal. However, your chances of approval may increase with a high-quality proposal and assistance in satisfying the subsequent queries. This is where Mayuresh can be on your side, guiding you step-by-step.

Will you please explain the application process?
Please click here to schedule a free consultation with me. I would be happy to talk to you about the application process.  

Well, it certainly doesn’t look easy… Can you help me fill out the application form? 
If you have officially appointed me as your consultant, I will be delighted to assist you in the matter.

What other supporting documents do I require for the application?

You need the following:

1. Your project proposal
2. Latest ACRA search results
3. Past 3 years’ audited financial statements (including the latest year)
4. Our consultant’s proposal and
5. Our consultant’s certifications

Can you help me with writing the business plan and technical proposal? 
If you appoint me as your consultant, I will dive deep into your business achievements and plans and write a high-quality grant proposal.

How long does it take to know the results of my application?
It isn’t easy to provide a concrete timeline. Usually, it may take 1 to 2 months or even exceed, depending on the volume of applications under processing.  

Can I initiate an EDG project while parallelly applying for EDG Grant? 
After applying, you may proceed with the project to be considered eligible for funding. The funding is not available for projects that are already commenced. Some companies may prefer to obtain an official letter of offer from Enterprise Singapore before starting the project.

In simple terms, what does it mean? 
It means you should not have kicked off the project before your EDG Grant application was sanctioned. Neither should you have made any payments to vendors involved in the project.

Can I combine EDG Grant with a claim for Productivity Innovation Credit (PIC)? 
No, you can’t; PIC has officially ended.

Will Mayuresh help us to make claims?
I will advise you on making claims once you engage me as your consultant.

How can Mayuresh help us with the EDG Grant?
I will make the entire grant application process easier and simpler by expertly guiding your team, one step at a time.

In what other ways can Mayuresh be of assistance?
Mayuresh is a Management Consultant specialising in Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, and Internationalisation. His breadth of domain knowledge also includes Brand Management and Digital Marketing. Apart from Government Grants Advisory, Mayuresh can help you with Branding & Marketing, Business Automation, and Overseas Expansion, focusing on exploring investment opportunities in India.

Is there a limitation to the number of EDG Grants I can apply?
In theory, no; you may apply for any number of EDG Grants and work on multiple EDG projects at any time. However, you can only apply for an EDG grant in a specified area once. E.g. if you are awarded an EDG grant for Business Transformation once, you are no longer eligible for another EDG grant under the same category unless you have a compelling reason to demonstrate. Nevertheless, you are free to apply for EDG grants under other categories.

I want to check out the latest info on EDG Grant; where do I find it?
Please visit the Enterprise Singapore website for updates and other latest info.

I want to apply for EDG Grant. Where do I start? 
Kindly visit the Singapore Business Grants Portal to apply for EDG Grant.

I will feel more comfortable talking to a knowledgeable person regarding EDG Grant. Whom do I connect with?
Well, help is at hand! There are two channels for assistance and support – you can talk to a certified management consultant like me, and I would be glad to clarify your queries and doubts. Alternatively, you can approach the SME Centers.

What factors could possibly reduce my chances of sanction?
To increase your chances of success, avoid the following when applying for the EDG Grant:

• Including activities in the proposal that fall beyond the scope of the EDG Grant
• Engaging unauthorized Consultants
• Submitting incomplete and/or inappropriate breakdown of costs
• Excluding productivity gains or tangible benefits
• Making the project scope quite narrow 

How will I come to know whether I am successful or not?
Successful applicants receive a letter of offer from ESG, which they must accept within a specified time frame within the business grant portal. If your application is not considered, you will receive a letter of rejection.

Is there scope for reapplication/resubmission?
If your application is turned down at first, you can appeal again. Please make sure you have covered all shortcomings and then make a resubmission through email. ESG will look at it as a fresh and new case.

Can I expect an advance payment?
That’s perhaps the best part! You can make an advance payment request before paying the invoice; ESG may consider disbursing up to 20% of the grant amount. 

Please tell me about interim payments.
You are eligible to make interim claims before complete project close-out. However, please understand that this is strictly on a case-by-case basis determined solely by Enterprise Singapore. 

Please tell me about the audit.
After the EDG project is rolled out, it is compulsory to appoint an external auditor from a pre-approved panel. This exercise aims to ensure the project is completed with appropriate fund transfers between the concerned parties.

Who will pay for the audit?
ESG will bear the audit fee, which you can claim from them.

Where can I make a claim for EDG?
You have to make a claim on the old business grants Singapore portal: https://grantportal.enterprisesg.gov.sg/ 

What is the waiting period for fund disbursal?
It depends on the accuracy of the claim documents. Usually, ESG will process your claim in a reasonable timeframe if all documents are in order.

Disclaimer:
The content on this page is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without prior notice. It is not an official communication from ESG or any agency/department of the Singapore Government. Whilst Mayuresh Godse will put in his best efforts; he does not, in any way, make an assurance or guarantee about EDG Grant approval in any grant-applicable project.