Artificial intelligence has moved from experiment to expectation. The problem for most Singapore companies is not ambition but access: the compute power, the cloud tools, and the expertise needed to turn an idea into a working solution are expensive and hard to assemble. The Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI), announced at Budget 2025, is the Government’s answer. It pairs enterprises with the world’s largest cloud providers and helps foot the bill for the expertise needed to build real AI solutions.
This guide explains what the ECI is, who runs it, how the support works, which cloud partners are involved, who it is for, and how it sits alongside Singapore’s other business support schemes. It is general information, not formal advice, so confirm the current eligibility criteria before you apply.
What Is the Enterprise Compute Initiative?
The ECI is a Government programme, administered by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), with up to S$150 million set aside at Budget 2025. Its purpose is to help Singapore-based companies advance their AI transformation by giving them access to compute, cloud platforms, and AI tools through major cloud service providers, together with part-funded consultancy to put those tools to work. You can read the official details on the DISG website and in the EDB Budget 2025 summary.
How the Support Works
The ECI works by connecting a participating company to a cloud service provider and a consultant partner. Through the cloud provider, the company gains access to cutting-edge AI tools, cloud credits, and the training needed to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Alongside this, the Government supports part of the cost of consultancy services from selected consultant partners, who help the company build that MVP or carry out the change management needed to adopt AI across the business. The aim is to get companies from idea to a working prototype, and then to real adoption, faster than they could alone.
ECI at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Administered by | Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) |
| Budget | Up to S$150 million (Budget 2025) |
| What you get | Cloud credits, AI tools, training, and part-funded consultancy |
| Cloud partners | Google Cloud, Microsoft, AWS, Oracle |
| Goal | Build a Minimum Viable Product and adopt AI at scale |
The Cloud Partners
A distinctive feature of the ECI is that it plugs companies directly into the major cloud platforms. The participating cloud service providers are Google Cloud, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Oracle. Each provides access to compute, cloud platforms, and AI tools, and connects the company with nominated consultant partners who know the platform well. This means a company is not left to navigate the AI landscape alone, but is matched with both the infrastructure and the people who can build on it.
AI Cloud Takeoff: The First Programme
The first national implementation programme under the ECI is AI Cloud Takeoff. It launched in June 2025 following a successful pilot with 30 early adopters, and aims to onboard 300 digitally mature companies within its first year. AI Cloud Takeoff is a useful signal of the type of company the ECI is built for: businesses that already have their digital foundations in place and are ready to move to genuine AI deployment rather than first-time digitalisation.
Who Is the ECI For?
The ECI is aimed at digitally mature Singapore-based enterprises that are ready to advance their AI transformation. If your company is still setting up basic systems, other schemes are a better starting point: the Productivity Solutions Grant supports adoption of pre-approved digital tools, while the Enterprise Development Grant supports larger transformation projects. Our guide comparing EDG, PSG and MRA helps you find the right entry point. For companies making a substantial capital investment in Singapore, the Refundable Investment Credit may also be relevant.
How the ECI Fits with Other Support
AI adoption rarely happens in isolation. The tax treatment of the software, hardware, and development costs a company incurs will interact with its overall tax position, which our Singapore corporate tax guide sets out. Companies should map the ECI against the grants and tax incentives they already use, so that each cost is supported once and the overall package is optimised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who administers the Enterprise Compute Initiative?
The ECI is administered by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), a joint office of EDB and the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
Which cloud providers take part?
Google Cloud, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Oracle are the participating cloud service providers.
Is the ECI for start-ups or established firms?
It is aimed at digitally mature enterprises ready to deploy AI. Companies at an earlier stage should look at the PSG or EDG first.
Want help mapping the ECI and other grants to your AI plans, or setting up the right Singapore entity to apply? Raffles Corporate Services can assist with the groundwork.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services