EDG Grant Singapore: How to Fund Custom Software in 2026

One of the most common reasons Singapore SMEs delay a software project is cost. What many don’t realise is that the project they’re putting off may qualify for the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) — which has commonly co-funded up to half of qualifying costs for eligible companies. Here’s how it works, in plain English.

What is the EDG?

The EDG is a grant administered by Enterprise Singapore that helps local companies upgrade, innovate, and transform. It’s organised into pillars; custom software and digital projects usually sit under Innovation & Productivity — think process redesign, automation, or building new digital capability.

Does custom software actually qualify?

Often, yes — if the project genuinely improves productivity or creates new capability. Typical examples:

• Process redesign & automation — replacing manual, repetitive work with software.
• New digital products or platforms — a system or app that creates new capability or revenue.
• System integration — connecting fragmented tools into one streamlined operation.

What it’s not for: routine maintenance, like-for-like replacements with no productivity gain, or buying off-the-shelf licences alone.

How much can you get?

Support levels are set by Enterprise Singapore and reviewed periodically. For SMEs, the qualifying-cost support level has commonly been up to 50%. The exact figure depends on your project, your company, and the prevailing EDG terms at the time you apply — and no grant ever covers 100%. Think of it as reducing the cost of a project you already want to do, not free software.

Are you eligible?

At a high level, Enterprise Singapore looks for a company that is:

• Registered and operating in Singapore
• At least 30% local shareholding (Singapore Citizens or PRs)
• Financially able to start and complete the project

Not sure where you stand? Our free EDG eligibility check gives you a quick read in about 30 seconds.

The sequence that matters most

This trips people up: you must secure approval before the project starts. If you’ve already begun or paid for the work, it generally can’t be funded retroactively. So the correct order is:

1. Scope the project with a vendor — define the deliverables and the productivity gains.
2. Get a proposal and quotation — the documentation your application needs.
3. Apply on Enterprise Singapore’s Business Grants Portal (BGP).
4. Get approval, then build.

Where we fit in

AppTech is a software developer, not a grant consultant — but most applications need exactly what we produce: a clear project scope, deliverables, and a quotation. We help you define a project that delivers the productivity gains EDG is designed to support, and provide the documentation your application needs. Curious what the project itself might cost before grant support? Try our project estimator, or read more on the EDG funding page.

Disclaimer: AppTech Systems is a software development vendor, not a government agency or appointed grant consultant. The EDG is administered by Enterprise Singapore, which sets all eligibility criteria, support levels, caps, and approval decisions — these are subject to change and to your application. Figures here are indicative of prevailing terms and are not a guarantee of funding. Verify current details on the official Enterprise Singapore / GoBusiness Business Grants Portal.