The Economic Development Board (EDB) is an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore. Its mandate is to position Singapore as a global centre for business, innovation, and talent. For decades, it has been helping businesses in Singapore achieve continued growth and development, thus, yielding massive employment opportunities in the state.
 
As a leading institution in Singapore, they are responsible for investment promotion and industry development, helping businesses transform their operations and enhance their productivity, providing support to various companies' needs, and improving the pro-business environment in Singapore. It has also tied up with EDBI, the investment arm of EDB that focuses on high growth technology sectors including Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Emerging Technology (ET), Healthcare (HC), and other strategic industries.
 
To continue thriving amidst the competitive businesses environment in Singapore, companies are provided with assistance privileges in the form of incentives or schemes. Check to see if your company qualifies for any of these benefits:
 
1. Special Situation Fund
 
The S$285 million SSFS was introduced in June 2020 to catalyze investments into high-potential startups facing cash-flow or fund-raising difficulties due to the pandemic.
 
Type of Support:

• Convertible Note (Debt + Equity investment)

 
Support level:

• EDBI/SEEDS will co-invest with private-sector investors on a 1:1 basis
• $2.5-5mil per company by EDBI

 
Eligibility:

• Company is a private company incorporated in Singapore for not more than 10 years.
• Company is developing/ producing/ and commercializing innovative technologies or services designed for scale and high growth.
• Company has secured paying customers and partners and demonstrated a commercially scalable business model of at least 20% annual revenue growth pre-COVID-19. For pre revenue companies, Company possesses either strong pre-clinical data (biotech companies), intellectual property, or technological know-how that cannot be replicated.
• Investors (existing/new) are committed and prepared to fund 50% of the convertible note.

To know more, visit this website.
 
2. Pioneer Certificate Incentive (PC) & Development and Expansion Incentive (DEI)
 
To keep up with the fast-paced economic landscape in Singapore, companies are empowered to grow capabilities and conduct new or expanded economic activities in the state. Specifically, companies that cater the following services such as carrying out global or regional headquarters (HQ) activities of managing, coordinating and controlling business activities for a group of companies may also apply for the PC or DEI for the HQ activities.  
 
Type of Support:

• Tax Incentive

 
Support Level:

• Corporate tax exemption of 5%, or a concessionary tax rate of 10%, on income derived from qualifying activities.

 
Eligibility:

• Companies that are prepared to make significant investments in contribution to the economy or in advancement of capabilities towards globally leading industries.
• Must meet quantitative and qualitative criteria. These include:

1. the employment created (including skills, expertise and seniority),
2. total business expenditure which generates spin-off to the economy,
3. commitment to growing the capabilities (e.g. technology, skillsets, knowhow) in Singapore, & 
4. manufacturing projects are also required to commit to fixed asset investment in plant, building or equipment.  

3. Finance & Treasury Centre (FTC) Incentive
 
This scheme challenges companies to grow treasury management capabilities and use Singapore as a base for conducting strategic finance and treasury management activities.
 
Essentially, an FTC is part of a larger presence of a company in Singapore, which may include manufacturing, R&D or a range of headquarters activities. The FTC set-up generally has about 10 staff and incurs total business spending of about $3.5 million.
 
Type of Support:

• Tax Incentive

 
Support level:

• An approved finance and treasury centre (FTC) company is eligible for a reduced corporate tax rate of 8% on income derived from qualifying FTC services to approved network companies (ANCs) as well as qualifying FTC activities carried out on its account with funds obtained from qualifying sources.
• Eligible for withholding tax exemption on interest payments, such as interest on loans.
• Tax incentive may be enjoyed for a maximum. Extension of incentive period will be subjected for further review.

Eligibility:

• Companies must establish substantive activities in Singapore and perform strategic functions. Key activities should include control over the management of cash and liquidity position, provision of corporate finance advisory services, management of interest rate, foreign exchange, liquidity and credit risks, as well as overall business planning, investment research and analysis.
• Applicant companies will be assessed on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the proposed FTC operations. These include the employment created (including skills, expertise and seniority in the FTC team), total business expenditure which generates spin-offs to the economy, as well as the scale of the FTC operations in the depth and breadth of the services and activities. Companies are also encouraged to grow capabilities through working with potential partners, such as in the professional services and financial sectors.

 
4. Aircraft Leasing Scheme (ALS)
 
This scheme supports companies to develop aircraft leasing capabilities and grow the aircraft leasing industry in Singapore.
 
Type of Support:

• Tax Incentive

Support level:

• Concessionary tax rate of 8% on income derived from the leasing of aircraft or aircraft engine and qualifying ancillary activities.

 
Eligibility:

• Must establish substantive activities and perform strategic functions in Singapore. Key activities include identifying and acquiring aircraft/aircraft engines to be leased, negotiating the leasing terms, management of leases of aircraft/aircraft engines, services relating to the management of such leases (e.g. arranging for the operation and maintenance of aircraft/aircraft engines/facilities) and financing the acquisition of aircraft/aircraft engines.

 
5. R&D Schemes
 
5.1 Tech@SG Programme
 
This scheme helps companies pool talent to catapult their growth in Singapore and the region.
 
They also help facilitate the entry of global technology talent for eligible companies and provide company-level endorsement to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), reducing the risks of rejections for their Employment Pass (EP) applications to MOM.
 
Supported programs include up to 10 new EPs over two years for foreign employees who will be hired as part of your company’s core team in Singapore; and coverage for the first renewal of each new EP obtained under the program (each renewal will be valid for up to three years).

Interested companies must satisfy the following requirements:

• Incorporated a business entity in Singapore with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
• Have a digital or technology offering as your core business product or service
• Secured more than US$10 million (cumulative) in investment funding in the past 36 months
• Received funding (no minimum amount) from a programme-recognised investment firm in the past 36 months

Interested individual companies must satisfy the following requirements:

• Applicant’s fixed monthly salary meets MOM’s minimum prevailing EP salary criteria (i.e. S$4,500*, effective 1 September 2020).
• Applicant passes MOM’s background and due diligence checks#.
• Applicant is considered a core team member whose functional role and seniority are in line with the conditions outlined.

 
Visit this website to know more.
 
5.2 Tech.Pass
 
For hassle-free visits to Singapore, Tech.Pass allows established tech entrepreneurs, leaders or technical experts from around the world to perform frontier and disruptive innovations. Individuals may also apply for a pass directly from the Singapore Economic Development Board.
 
To qualify for the pass, satisfy two of the following:

1. Have a last drawn fixed monthly salary (in the last 1 year) of at least S$20,0002.
2. Have at least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in a tech company with a valuation/market cap of at least US$500mil or at least US$30mil funding raised.
3. Have at least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in the development of a tech product that has at least 100,000 monthly active users or at least US$100mil annual revenue.

Visit this website to know more.

5.3 RISC (Research and Innovation Scheme for Companies)
 
Supports companies’ technology development and innovation activities, to bring about the development of product and processes from Singapore.
 
The RISC is a grant scheme aimed at encouraging companies in Singapore to conduct or expand their Research & Development (R&D) activities in science and technology. 

• A company awarded with a RISC grant is eligible for co-funding support of up to 30% qualifying project costs such as manpower, training, consultancy, equipment, software, intellectual property and materials costs. Local manpower may be accorded support of up to 50%. 
• The incentive period is up to 3 years for an approved R&D project.

For detailed information about the scheme, visit this website.
 
5.4 Training Grant for Company (TGC)
 
Encourages manpower capability development in applying new technologies, industrial skills and professional know-how through the support of training programmes for companies’ employees.
 
For detailed information about the scheme, visit this website.
 
5.5 Intellectual Property (IP) Development Incentive (IDI)
 
Encourage the use and commercialization of intellectual property rights arising from research and development (R&D) activities.
 
Type of Support:

• Tax Incentive

 
Support level:

• Reduced corporate tax rate of either 5% or 10% on a percentage of qualifying IP income derived
• Qualifying IP income refers to royalties or other income receivable by the approved IDI company as consideration for the commercial exploitation of qualifying IP rights 

 
For detailed information about the scheme, visit this website.
 
6. Productivity-Related
 
6.1 Resource Efficiency Grant for Energy (REG(E))
 
Supports manufacturing facilities and data centres to be more energy efficient and improve competitiveness. 
 
Type of Support:

• Grant

 
Support level:

•  50% of qualifying costs  for the following:

1. Equipment
2. Materials, Consumables and Technical Software
3. Professional Services
4. Intellectual Property Rights(IPR)

• Calculated based on carbon abatement achieved

 
Eligibility:

• Be registered or incorporated in Singapore
• Be the owner or operator of an industrial facility that is located in Singapore
• Have a group annual sales turnover of more than S$500 million (Companies with a group annual sales turnover of up to S$500 million are encouraged to consider NEA’s Energy Efficiency Fund (E2F) for grant support
• Be registered under ACRA with the prevailing Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) as undertaking manufacturing activities OR be undertaking data centre activities in Singapore

 
For detailed information about the scheme, visit this website.
 
6.2 Land Intensification Allowance (LIA)
 
LIA helps promote the intensification of industrial land use towards more land-efficient and higher value-added activities. Available to businesses in manufacturing and logistics sectors, and also integrated construction and prefabrication hubs, which have large land takes and low Gross Plot Ratios (GPR).
 
Type of Support:

• Tax allowances (serves to decrease taxable income)

 
Support level:

• Initial allowance of 25% and annual allowances of 5% on qualifying capital expenditure incurred for the construction or renovation/extension of a qualifying building or structure.
• Annual allowances of 5% are granted until total allowance amounts to 100% of qualifying capital expenditure.

Examples of Qualifying Expenditure:
    (a) cost of feasibility study on the layout of the building or structure;
    (b) design fees of the building or structure;
    (c) cost of preparing plans for obtaining approval for the building or structure;
    (d) piling, construction and renovation/extension costs;
    (e) demolition costs of an existing building or structure;
  (f) legal and other professional fees in relation to the approved construction or approved renovation/extension; and
    (g) stamp duties payable in respect of title of the building or structure.
 
Qualifying criteria:

• Zoning
• Trade or business
• Minimum GPR
• User(s) and use(s) occupying at least 80% of building’s gross floor area (GFA)
• Relationship between user(s) and owner1 of the building
• Expression of interest to apply for the LIA

 
For detailed information about the scheme, visit this website.

The Government of Singapore through the Ministry of Trade and Industry offers a wide range of assistance to interested and qualified local enterprises. Local enterprises in Singapore are highly encouraged to send their applications to respective schemes, depending on their company's line of business and needs that will support their continued growth and future endeavors.

We hope that reading this blog gave you some useful information regarding the EDB program and inspired you to submit your grant application. On the other hand, this blog from Propel X might be quite helpful if you are an investor searching for informational blog about funding alternatives for start-up firms.

​The recently concluded Budget for 2022 event unveiled the priority programs lined up for funding. These include strengthening the digital capabilities, making innovation pervasive, and continuing to support our local enterprises ecosystem. The Government of Singapore also maintained its unwavering commitment to support talents and workforce, ensuring they are well-equipped and kept abreast with new skill sets needed in the industry. 
 
Singapore will also shell out a whopping $600 million to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on their quest for enhanced productivity through digitalization and automation. In essence, the funding will support Productivity Solutions Grants (PSG), thereby, increasing the number of solutions made available to SMEs. It also guarantees support for the R&D initiatives of local SMEs.
 
Also, an additional $200 million will be allocated to schemes devoted to enhancing digital capabilities. The schemes which will receive additional support include: Advanced Digital Solutions (ADS), Grow Digital, and TechSkills Accelerator. This undertaking is aimed toward restructuring of the economy. 
 
1. PSG will be expanded to include more solutions 
 
Productivity Solutions Grant is a grant supporting eligible businesses to enhance their productivity through automation and upgrading efforts. To qualify for this scheme, businesses must be SMEs, i.e. they must satisfy the following criteria:

• Registered and operating in Singapore;
• Minimum of 30% local shareholding; and
• Group annual turnover less than S$100 million per annum, or group employment less than 200 employees.

 
This grant currently supports up to 80% of costs incurred by SMEs to upgrade IT technology, equipment and engage consultancy services to improve their productivity. The grant is subject to certain grant quantum cap per year, depending on the type of solution adopted.
 
A helpful blog about PSG can be found on our website.
 
Our analysis:

• We believe the additional support will involve availing more types of pre-approved, pre-scoped solutions for SMEs across more industry sectors. The current list of solutions can be found here
• Examples of existing solutions include ERP software, E-commerce online shop setup, Digital marketing packages and general F&B equipment.
• For SMEs in sectors that are currently not covered under PSG, please keep a lookout here for updates to the list of solutions available. More types of solutions may be made available in the time to come.

 
2. More support will be given for local SMEs to undertake R&D with local research institutes
 
Local SMEs will now benefit from a wider range of support to undertake research initiatives with the help of identified research institutes in Singapore. In addition to engaging with research institutes like A*Star, SMEs can seek assistance from nine Centres of Innovations (COIs), ranging from use of laboratory facilities and research scientists to consultancy services. These COIs have partnered with reputable polytechnics and research institutes to assist interested SMEs.
 
This will strengthen the collaborative effort between the local SMEs and reputable research and innovation centers to pursue projects on agri-tech, construction, food manufacturing, precision engineering, and retail projects.
 
For more details, visit this website.
 
Our analysis:

• The enhancements will likely be made to R&D/New Product Development schemes that help companies undertake research and development to create new offerings or develop technologies for commercialization.
• SMEs can tap from the range of COIs in Singapore and procure their R&D services (with support from grants) to accelerate their R&D efforts. Here is a list of the COIs in Singapore: Aquaculture and Innovation Centre, Centre of Innovation for Complementary Health Products, Centre of Innovation for Electronics and IoT, Centre of Innovation for Supply Chain Management, EcoLabs Centre of Innovation of Energy, Environmental and Water Technology Centre of Innovation, Food Innovation Resource Centre, Materials Centre of Innovation, and Precision Engineering Centre of Innovation. 

 
3. More funding will be directed towards ADS
 
Advanced Digital Solutions (ADS) is among the schemes that will receive additional funding and support. The ADS supports SMEs eager to adopt advanced technologies and integrated solutions. Advanced technologies include AI, Robotics, Blockchain and Internet of Things; while integrated solutions include B2B solutions that integrate inventory management, e-invoicing, and e-payments) that address common enterprise-level challenges at scale. Through this scheme, businesses are empowered to augment their digital capabilities, strengthen their business continuity measures, and build longer term resilience, resulting in improved productivity.
 
Check out this website for more details.
 
Our analysis:

• In addition to supporting SMEs defray the costs of adopting the approved solutions, the scheme also encourages industry players like intermediaries, sector champions and solution providers to turn in their solutions for ADS pre-approval.
• 80% funding support may be enjoyed by SMEs for the qualifying costs the following: hardware, software, infrastructure, connectivity, cybersecurity, integration, development, enhancement and project management.  It also includes the cost associated with the acquisition, subscription, lease, transaction, training and professional services like programmers and project managers of these solutions.

 
4. More funding towards Grow Digital initiative
 
If you are an SMEs looking into penetrating overseas markets via digital channels, this is for you. The Grow Digital scheme which will receive additional support from the government in Budget 2022 will help you capture business opportunities outside of Singapore through the use of e-commerce platforms. This eliminates the need for physical presence of the company overseas, allowing efficient and hassle-free Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) transactions.
 
Our analysis:

• Under this scheme, eligible SMEs may enjoy up to 70% funding support. Also, it will not be considered against Productivity Solutions Grant funding quantum cap utilization.
• SMEs considering B2B Digital Platforms under this scheme may reach out to the following partners/solution providers: Eezee.sg, Singapore E-Business (SGeBIZ), Bizmann System, Innovative Hub (IH), Jumpstart Commerce, and Trustana Wholesale. For B2C Digital Platforms, contact these partners: Dodoca, Innovative Hub (IH), CombineSell, SELLinALL, SP eCommerce, Synagie, and Vinculum Solutions Pte Limited.

For further details, visit this website.

5. More funding towards TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA)
 
The constant acquisition of new skill sets is a must in the age of globalization. To maintain the competence of the digital economy in Singapore, the government has included TechSkills Accelerator among the schemes that will receive funding support. TeSA is tasked at developing Information and Communication Technology adept workforce and prepare them for employment in Singapore.
 
TeSA aimed to support businesses cope with manpower needs like hiring new employees and the upskilling of individual and existing employees.
 
Various programs are lined up for new hires and upskilling of employee such as SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes (WSP), Tech Immersion and Placement Programme (TIPP), Company-Led Training (CLT), TeSA Mid-Career Advance, Career Conversion Programme (CCP), Critical Infocomm Technology Resource Programme Plus (CITREP+), and Capacity Transfer Programme (CTP).
 
It is also responsible in developing skills and preparing individuals for the employment in Singapore. Hence, the type of manpower whose salaries may be considered for funding include individuals who are (i) willing to embark on tech-related studies or internships, (i) fresh professionals wishing to upskill, (ii) mid-level tech professional wishing to upskill, and (iv) midlevel professional wishing to reskill to switch to a tech role.        
 
Visit this website to know more.