The Digital Leaders Programme (DLP) is an IMDA programme that helps digitally ambitious local companies outside the ICT sector chart a digital roadmap, hire an in-house digital team and run AI projects. Its newer Digital Leaders Accelerator Bootcamp (DLAB) takes business leaders through hands-on AI projects that can be delivered in under three months. Funding support is open to ACRA-registered, taxable companies operating in Singapore with at least 30% local shareholding and basic digital processes in place. IMDA does not currently publish a funding percentage or cap; support is discussed with each enterprise.
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DLP is not an off-the-shelf grant for buying software. It is aimed at companies that have outgrown packaged tools and now want their own digital capability. This guide explains who it is for, how DLP and DLAB fit together, how to register and how to prepare so the conversation with IMDA is productive.
What is the Digital Leaders Programme?
IMDA launched DLP in 2021 to help progressive local non-ICT enterprises push their digital transformation, build digital capabilities and capture new business opportunities in Singapore and abroad. IMDA says more than 600 enterprises have benefited so far.
According to IMDA, DLP supports enterprises to:
- chart digital roadmaps that prioritise high-impact projects;
- hire in-house digital teams to implement their digital transformation plans; and
- embark on projects that use emerging technologies, in particular AI, for productivity, innovation and growth.
The second point is what sets DLP apart from most grants. Many schemes fund a vendor’s product or a consultant’s report. DLP is designed to help the company build its own people, so that digital work does not stop when an outside project ends.
What is the Digital Leaders Accelerator Bootcamp (DLAB)?
IMDA launched DLAB on 20 March 2026 as part of the National AI Impact Programme, building on DLP. It is a modular, hands-on programme for the leadership bench of digitally progressive enterprises, run several times a year by appointed partners. IMDA lists ADAPTOVATE, BCG, EY-Parthenon, IBM, PwC and the Singapore Productivity Centre as DLAB partners, with more to be added.
Participants work through four stages with IMDA and the partner:
- Identify high-impact opportunities. Define the priority business problem and measurable goals.
- Design the right AI solution. Assess digital approaches and tools, weigh costs and benefits, and plan implementation.
- Deliver early-value AI solutions. Build and test small-scale AI “confidence projects” that can be implemented in under three months.
- Commit to digital transformation. Produce a roadmap with milestones and performance indicators, identify the core digital competencies needed, and hold structured discussions with IMDA on tailored support for setting up an in-house digital team.
At the end, IMDA says enterprises should have a better grasp of business topics (process redesign, cost-benefit analysis, resource planning) and technology topics (data management, AI tools and cybersecurity), an actionable roadmap, and working AI solutions to specific business problems. IMDA’s target is to support 2,000 Digital Leaders across sectors over three years.
Who is eligible?
IMDA lists the following requirements for business entities taking part in DLP and DLAB with funding support:
| Requirement | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| ACRA-registered, taxable and operating in Singapore | A Singapore-registered entity with real operations here, not a dormant holding company |
| At least 30% local shareholding | Singaporeans and/or PRs must hold at least 30% of the shares |
| Non-ICT company | Your core business is not information and communications technology; for example manufacturing, logistics, retail, professional services or F&B |
| Keen to invest in in-house digital capabilities | Building internal digital capability is part of your business strategy |
| Basic digital processes already in place | You already use digital systems and want to move to larger-scale transformation projects |
IMDA’s description of “Digital Leaders” adds that they have already started investing in internal digital capabilities and are financially capable of investing in and sustaining digital transformation. Expect IMDA to look for that commitment.
Foreign-owned companies should note the 30% local shareholding test. A wholly foreign-owned Singapore subsidiary will not meet it. Our guide to foreign ownership rules for Singapore companies explains how shareholdings are usually structured.
How much funding can you get?
IMDA’s programme page states that eligible enterprises can participate “with funding support”, but it does not publish a percentage, a dollar cap or a list of supportable costs. The bootcamp’s final stage includes structured discussions with IMDA on tailored support options for establishing an in-house digital team.
In practice, this means:
- Do not budget on a specific funding rate you have seen quoted elsewhere. Earlier figures may not reflect current terms.
- Ask IMDA directly, when you register, what is supported for your company and on what conditions.
- Get any funding commitment in writing before you hire against it.
Example: a logistics firm building its first data team
Example (hypothetical): A family-owned freight forwarder with 120 staff and 100% Singaporean shareholding uses a cloud transport management system and standard accounting software. Quoting is still done by hand and takes two days per enquiry.
- The managing director and operations head register for DLAB.
- In the bootcamp they define one problem: cut quotation turnaround to the same day. They build a small AI confidence project that drafts quotes from past shipment data, and test it with one customer segment within three months.
- Their roadmap shows they need a data engineer and a product owner to scale the tool. In the final stage they discuss with IMDA what support is available to set up that in-house team.
- They separately check other schemes for the software they will buy and for staff training, and make sure no cost is claimed twice.
How do you apply?
- Check eligibility. Confirm local shareholding, non-ICT status and that you have basic digital processes running.
- Choose your entry point. To find out more about DLP, IMDA asks enterprises to use its IMDA DTC Inquiry Form. For the bootcamp, use the DLAB Interest Form. Both are linked from IMDA’s Digital Leaders Programme page.
- Nominate the right people. DLAB targets the leadership bench. Send decision-makers who can commit budget and staff time, not only an IT executive.
- Prepare a problem statement. Arrive with one or two concrete business problems and the data you hold on them.
- Agree support in writing. Before hiring or contracting, confirm with IMDA what support applies and its conditions.
Preparation checklist
- ACRA business profile and shareholding records showing at least 30% local ownership
- Latest financial statements, to show capacity to invest in and sustain the transformation
- A list of current digital systems (accounting, CRM, ERP, cloud services)
- One or two business problems with measurable targets
- Names and roles of the leaders who will attend
- A draft view of the digital roles you expect to need (for example data engineer, product owner)
IMDA also publishes free resources on the same page: a Playbook for Enterprise Digital Leaders, a Digital Technologies for Sustainability Playbook, and an AI for Enterprise Impact Playbook co-developed with the training agencies.
How does DLP fit with other digital and AI support?
- EDGE Grant (Enterprise Singapore): for buying pre-approved digital solutions and systems. See our guide to EDGE funding for digital solutions and equipment.
- Enterprise Compute Initiative: Digital Industry Singapore support for AI compute and consulting. See our Enterprise Compute Initiative guide.
- Enterprise Innovation Scheme: enhanced tax deductions for qualifying AI adoption spending, covered in our article on the EIS AI adoption category.
- Workforce Development Grant (Job Redesign+): SWDA funding for job redesign consultancy, capability building and HR tech solutions, useful when new digital roles change existing jobs. See our guide to WDG (Job Redesign+).
For the full list, see our directory of Singapore government grants for companies.
Common reasons companies are not accepted
- Local shareholding below 30%. This is a stated condition for funding support.
- An ICT business. DLP is for non-ICT companies. Software houses and IT service firms are outside its target.
- Too early in the journey. IMDA expects basic digital processes already in place. A company still on paper records should start with packaged solutions first.
- No leadership commitment. DLAB is built for the leadership bench. Delegating it entirely to junior staff undermines the roadmap.
- No capacity to sustain a team. IMDA describes Digital Leaders as financially capable of sustaining transformation. A plan that depends entirely on outside funding will be weak.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of costs does DLP fund?
IMDA does not currently publish a percentage or cap. It states that eligible companies take part with funding support and discusses tailored support for in-house teams with each enterprise.
Is DLAB the same as DLP?
No. DLAB is a bootcamp launched in March 2026 that builds on DLP. Both share the same eligibility criteria for funding support.
Can a tech company join?
No. IMDA’s criteria limit the programme to non-ICT companies.
How long are the bootcamp AI projects?
IMDA describes the AI confidence projects as able to be implemented in under three months.
Where can I check the official details?
See IMDA’s Digital Leaders Programme page, its 20 March 2026 DLAB announcement and the National AI Impact Programme factsheet.
Information checked against official sources on 6 November 2026.
Free grant consultation: is the Digital Leaders Programme right for your company?
Raffles Corporate Services has in-house certified grant consultants who are experienced with Singapore grant applications and the full grant process, from checking eligibility and preparing the proposal and supporting documents to submitting claims and meeting the conditions after approval. We can arrange a free consultation to review your company and identify which grants, including the Digital Leaders Programme, may be applicable.
Email [email protected] or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133 to book a time. IMDA decides every application, and no consultant can guarantee approval.
The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services