What is the EDG Grant and Why You Need a Grant Consultant for It
Singapore has long positioned itself as a hub for innovation and business growth. As part of its strategy to support local enterprises, the government has rolled out several grants to help companies grow, transform, and stay competitive. One of the most well-known and powerful of these schemes is the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG).
If you’re a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Singapore looking to scale up, innovate, or go global, this grant could be a game-changer for your business. But while the opportunity is enticing, the application process can be complex and competitive. That’s where a grant consultant comes in — not just as a helping hand, but as a strategic partner.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what the EDG Grant is, what it covers, and why working with a grant consultant can significantly improve your chances of securing it.
What is the EDG Grant?
The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) is an initiative by Enterprise Singapore designed to support local companies in their transformation journey. It provides financial support for projects that help businesses upgrade, innovate, or venture overseas.
The EDG covers up to 50% to 70% of qualifying project costs, depending on your company’s size and other eligibility criteria. These costs may include consultancy fees, software and equipment, training, and internal manpower.
The grant focuses on three key pillars:
1. Core Capabilities
This helps companies strengthen their business foundations. Examples include:
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Business strategy development
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Human capital development
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Financial management
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Branding and marketing
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Standards adoption
2. Innovation and Productivity
These projects help companies explore new areas of growth or improve efficiency. Examples include:
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Process redesign
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Automation
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Product development
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Digital transformation
3. Market Access
This supports companies ready to venture overseas. It includes:
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Overseas market set-up
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In-market business development
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Identification of potential partners
Why the EDG Grant is Important for SMEs
The EDG grant is more than just financial aid — it’s a catalyst for long-term transformation. For many SMEs, cost is a huge barrier to innovation. Whether it’s developing a new product, digitising operations, or entering a new market, these efforts require significant investment.
By subsidising a major portion of the costs, the EDG allows SMEs to:
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Take calculated risks
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Engage professional consultants
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Accelerate growth
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Be more competitive
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Increase productivity
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Build stronger foundations for expansion
But despite its advantages, not every company gets the grant — and this is where many hit a roadblock.
Why You Need a Grant Consultant
While the EDG grant sounds simple on paper, the application process is detailed, technical, and often time-consuming. Many SMEs lack the in-house expertise or manpower to prepare a compelling submission. A grant consultant helps you bridge this gap — offering both technical guidance and strategic insight.
Here’s why hiring a grant consultant is worth considering:
1. Understanding the Requirements
One of the biggest mistakes applicants make is misunderstanding what Enterprise Singapore is looking for. A consultant knows how to interpret the eligibility criteria and align your business goals with the grant’s objectives. This reduces the risk of application rejection and saves you time from going back and forth with revisions.
2. Project Scoping and Grant Matching
You might know what you want to do — like improving productivity or expanding overseas — but is it EDG-eligible? A good grant consultant will help you scope your project correctly and match it to the right EDG pillar. This ensures you’re applying under the right category and maximising your funding potential.
3. Professional Proposal Writing
The EDG application isn’t just a form you fill out. You’ll need to submit a detailed project proposal, which includes background research, expected outcomes, budget breakdowns, timelines, KPIs, and sometimes even ROI calculations.
A consultant with experience in grant writing knows how to frame your proposal strategically, highlight the right pain points, and showcase how the project aligns with Singapore’s broader goals like innovation, productivity, or internationalisation.
4. Financial Justification
A big part of the application involves financial justification. You must show how the project budget is reasonable, necessary, and in line with market rates. Many SMEs struggle with this, and poorly presented numbers can tank an otherwise strong application.
Consultants know how to put together clear financials that tick the boxes Enterprise Singapore is looking for.
5. Supporting Documentation
Grant applications often require supporting documents such as financial statements, staff information, and vendor quotations. A consultant helps you gather, organise, and present all this in the correct format, avoiding delays or rejections due to incomplete submissions.
6. Application Portal Navigation
The submission is done via the Business Grants Portal (BGP), which can be overwhelming for first-time users. A consultant is familiar with this system and can help you upload documents correctly, fill in all fields, and track progress.
7. Post-Approval Compliance and Reporting
Getting approval is only the start. Once your project begins, you’ll need to monitor progress, maintain proper records, and submit project reports and claims to receive the funds. A consultant can assist with compliance, ensuring your claims are processed smoothly and quickly.
The Consultant’s Role: Not Just a Writer, But a Strategist
Think of a grant consultant not just as someone who “does the paperwork” but as a strategic partner. They help:
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Assess if your project is grant-worthy
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Define KPIs to track outcomes
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Align your proposal with national initiatives
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Anticipate red flags or common pitfalls
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Liaise with your vendors and internal team
In many cases, a consultant can also connect you with EDG-certified vendors or consultants if your project needs third-party involvement, such as a branding agency or tech implementation partner.
The Cost Factor
Yes, hiring a consultant involves fees. But when you weigh it against the potential grant quantum you could receive, the ROI is compelling. A failed application wastes time, effort, and opportunity — a good consultant helps you get it right the first time.
Moreover, some grant consultants even work on a success-based model, meaning they only get paid when your application is approved.
Conclusion
The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) is an excellent way for SMEs in Singapore to evolve, upgrade, and scale — especially in today’s fast-changing economy. But while the benefits are significant, the application process is not always straightforward.
This is why engaging a professional grant consultant is one of the smartest moves you can make. They bring not only technical knowledge but also strategic insight to help you craft a compelling, compliant, and successful grant application.
Whether you’re planning a digital transformation, entering a new overseas market, or improving internal processes — don’t go it alone. The right consultant can help you unlock the full potential of the EDG Grant and take your business to the next level.