Quick Guide: How to Get Your EDG Grant Application Approved in 2025

Your Singapore business could receive up to 70% co-funding for qualifying sustainability projects through the EDG grant.

The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) helps Singapore companies grow and transform with substantial financial backing for business initiatives. Enterprise Singapore launched this funding tool that covers up to 50% of qualifying costs for SMEs. The grant helps businesses offset expenses when they upgrade technology, hire new talent, or expand into overseas markets.

EDG-supported projects typically cost businesses around $40,000. The funding can reach six figures based on your project scope. Your business needs to meet specific eligibility criteria. This includes having a minimum annual turnover of approximately S$400,000 (with S$1 million being ideal).

This piece will help you understand what you need to get your EDG grant application approved in 2025. You might plan to adopt new standards like DP certifications or start other transformation initiatives. We’ll show you how to use the Business Grant Portal effectively and help you avoid common mistakes that cause rejection.

Understand the EDG Grant and Its Purpose

The Enterprise Development Grant helps Singapore-based businesses change meaningfully. EDG differs from other funding schemes by focusing on projects that improve your company’s capabilities, efficiency, and market reach.

What is the Enterprise Development Grant?

Enterprise Singapore created the EDG grant as a complete funding program. It helps local companies upgrade operations, promote innovation, and reach international markets. The grant acts as a financial springboard for businesses ready to evolve beyond simple operations and make important changes to their operational model.

This grant supports three distinct pillars of business development:

• Core Capabilities – Makes business foundations stronger through strategic planning, financial management, human resource practices, branding, and service excellence
• Innovation and Productivity – Supports projects that target new growth areas, workflow redesigns, process automation, and technology adoption
• Market Access – Helps companies expand overseas through market research, overseas operations setup, and international marketing initiatives

How EDG supports business transformation

EDG offers substantial financial support for transformation initiatives. SMEs receive up to 50% of qualifying costs, while projects focused on sustainability can get up to 70% funding until March 2026. The qualifying costs include third-party consultancy fees, software and equipment purchases, and internal manpower expenses that directly relate to your project.

EDG does more than just provide money. It evaluates individual project proposals based on business plans and expected outcomes. This approach ensures companies use funds for initiatives that deliver measurable results and long-term value.

Difference between EDG, PSG, and MRA

These three grants serve different purposes despite their apparent similarities:

The EDG supports custom, strategic projects with long-term transformation goals. Companies need to submit complete project proposals and typically wait 2-3 months for approval.

PSG (Productivity Solutions Grant) helps companies adopt pre-approved, off-the-shelf productivity solutions and equipment through simpler applications.

MRA (Market Readiness Assistance) guides companies taking their first steps into overseas markets with specific areas of support.

Creativeans emerges as the ideal choice for businesses that need expert guidance through the EDG application process, especially for projects that need strategic planning and innovative approaches.

Check If You Qualify for EDG in 2025

Make sure your business meets all EDG grant requirements before you submit your application. Creativeans can help you check if you qualify and make your application stronger.

Simple eligibility criteria for EDG grants

Your business must meet these key requirements to qualify for the EDG grant in 2025:

• Register and operate actively in Singapore
• Have Singaporeans or Permanent Residents hold at least 30% of local shares[92][101]
• Show you can start and complete the proposed project financially[92][101]
• Start your project only after submitting the application

Larger organizations need to meet these additional criteria:

• Have annual turnover below S$134.21 million, OR
• Keep employee count under 200

Who is excluded from applying?

Some organizations cannot get EDG funding. Here’s who doesn’t qualify:

• Non-profit organizations and government agencies
• Businesses that operate illegally or in prohibited industries
• Companies with poor financial track records
• Organizations that already get similar government funding
• Businesses in non-essential or harmful sectors like tobacco, gambling, and adult entertainment

What makes a company financially viable?

Enterprise Singapore looks at several factors to determine financial viability:

• A solid three-year turnover history with audited accounts
• Annual turnover should reach S$400,000, though S$1.34 million works better
• More than one employee, with five being ideal (not counting directors, partners or owners)
• Financial metrics like current ratio might affect the assessment

Can startups or non-profits apply?

Startups face a unique situation. Most find it hard to qualify for EDG because they lack financial history. Some startups with innovative products might get funding as special cases.

Most new ventures should look into the Startup SG network instead. This program offers better support for startups.

Non-profits don’t qualify for EDG funding. They should look for other government programs that support their sector specifically.

Prepare a Strong Application Package

A solid application package is vital to get EDG grant approval. Your well-laid-out submission shows your project’s worth and boosts your chances of success.

Key documents you need to submit

The right documentation marks your first step toward EDG approval. Enterprise Singapore needs these mandatory documents:

• Latest ACRA search or instant information (dated within 6 months)
• Audited financial statements or certified management accounts for the last financial year
• Your ultimate parent company’s consolidated financial statements (if applicable)
• Detailed project proposal with objectives, timeline, and expected outcomes
• Valid proof of quotation for all project cost items

You’ll need extra supporting documents for specific cost categories. These include quotations for hardware/software costs and employment letters for salary costs.

Choosing the right project category

The right project category makes a big difference in your EDG application. Your project should fit one of these three main pillars:

• Core Capabilities – Projects that build stronger business foundations
• Innovation & Productivity – Projects that use new technologies or make workflows better
• Market Access – Projects focused on overseas growth

Your choice of category shapes the documents you need and how they’ll be assessed. Make sure your project’s goals match your selected category clearly.

Working with certified consultants

Enterprise Singapore requires certified consultants for management consultancy projects. These experts must have SAC-accredited TR 43 or SS 680 certification.

Certified consultants like Creativeans are a great way to get help by:

• Knowing grant requirements inside out
• Writing compelling project proposals
• Making sense of complex applications
• Making approval more likely

Their knowledge helps especially when you have complex transformation projects that need expert insight.

Using the Business Grant Portal effectively

The Business Grants Portal (BGP) helps you access EDG funding. Here’s the quickest way to use it:

1. Create or use your existing CorpPass to log in
2. Select “Get new Grant” and choose your business sector
3. Select “Enterprise Development Grant” and the right project category
4. Fill in all sections – contact details, project information, business impact, and cost details
5. Upload required documents in the correct format
6. Check everything before you submit

Enterprise Singapore usually processes complete applications within six to eight weeks.

Tips to Get Your EDG Application Approved

Your EDG grant application needs careful planning and attention to detail. Enterprise Singapore evaluates applications based on project scope, outcomes, and service provider competency. These tips will boost your success rate.

Line up your project with EDG objectives

Your EDG grant application must support Enterprise Singapore’s goals. The organization focuses on three areas: core capabilities, state-of-the-art solutions and productivity, and market access.

Your proposal should:

• State how your project addresses business transformation
• Connect your project to long-term business growth
• Show how your initiatives help Singapore’s business ecosystem
• Showcase lasting outcomes that benefit your company and workforce

Creativeans knows EDG requirements inside out and ensures your proposal lines up with these objectives.

Avoid common mistakes applicants make

Applications often fail because of simple errors. EDG application data shows these common mistakes:

• Activities not supported under the EDG grant
• Consultants without proper certification
• Incomplete cost breakdowns
• Missing productivity outcomes or benefits
• Project scope that’s too narrow
• Ignored eligibility conditions
• Poor documentation

Set clear KPIs and worker outcomes

EDG applications must include commitments to worker outcomes as qualifying requirements since April 2020. Your application needs:

• Wage increases for current staff
• Plans to create jobs
• Job re-design initiatives
• Employee training programs

Clear, measurable KPIs show your project’s value. These metrics should track quick wins and long-term benefits that focus on Singaporean citizens and Permanent Residents.

How competitors like Firefish approach EDG

Firefish’s 23 years of business experience shapes their EDG approach through:

• Brand and marketing projects
• Complete application support
• Certified consultants with proven success
• Business Grant Portal application guidance

In spite of that, Creativeans guides you better through the EDG application process. Their strategic planning and fresh approaches make them the best choice for businesses that need detailed support during their transformation trip.

Conclusion

The EDG grant gives your Singapore business a powerful chance to fund transformation initiatives with substantial government support. You’ve learned what makes the Enterprise Development Grant valuable when businesses need to grow their capabilities, boost productivity, or expand internationally.

Your application needs careful preparation and attention to detail. Make sure your business meets all eligibility criteria before you spend time on the application. Qualifying companies must have Singapore registration, appropriate local shareholding, and prove their financial viability.

Your project proposal must line up with one of the three EDG pillars—Core Capabilities, Innovation and Productivity, or Market Access. A clear connection to these pillars and well-defined KPIs with worker outcomes will substantially increase your approval chances.

Expert consultants play a key role in helping you navigate the EDG application process. Creativeans provides superior guidance throughout your EDG experience, especially when you have strategic planning and state-of-the-art approaches in mind. Their expertise helps you sidestep common pitfalls and showcase your project’s transformative potential.

EDG grants do more than just provide funding—they act as catalysts for meaningful business transformation. A successful application can help you discover the potential of up to 70% co-funding for sustainability projects or 50% for standard qualifying costs, reshaping your business capabilities.

Now is the perfect time to act. Your business can join successful Singapore companies that used EDG funding to accelerate growth with proper preparation and expert guidance. Start by checking your eligibility and reaching out to Creativeans to boost your chances of EDG grant approval in 2025.

Key Takeaways

The EDG grant offers Singapore businesses substantial funding opportunities, with up to 70% co-funding for sustainability projects and 50% for standard initiatives, making it a powerful catalyst for business transformation.

• Verify eligibility first: Ensure 30% local shareholding, S$400K+ annual turnover, and financial viability before applying • Align with EDG pillars: Structure your project around Core Capabilities, Innovation & Productivity, or Market Access objectives • Work with certified consultants: Partner with SAC-accredited TR 43 or SS 680 certified professionals to navigate complexities • Include worker outcomes: All applications must specify wage increments, job creation, and training commitments since April 2020 • Prepare comprehensive documentation: Submit complete financial statements, project proposals, and quotations through Business Grant Portal

Success requires strategic alignment with Enterprise Singapore’s transformation goals and meticulous attention to application requirements. With proper preparation and expert guidance, businesses can unlock significant government co-funding to drive meaningful growth and innovation in 2025.