Digitalisation is no longer a “nice to have” for Singapore SMEs – it is the difference between winning and losing customers, controlling costs, and keeping up with larger competitors. The problem for most small businesses is not motivation; it is knowing where to start, which tools actually work, and how to fund them without gambling on the wrong vendor. That is precisely the gap the SMEs Go Digital programme is designed to close.
This guide explains the SMEs Go Digital programme in 2026 – what it is, how its three pillars fit together, the grant funding available through the Productivity Solutions Grant, and how a Singapore SME can actually apply. It is written for business owners who want a practical, low-risk path to going digital rather than a marketing brochure.
What SMEs Go Digital is
SMEs Go Digital is the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) flagship programme to help small and medium enterprises adopt digital technology in a structured, affordable way. Launched in 2017, it has supported tens of thousands of SMEs and remains a central plank of Singapore’s SME digitalisation strategy. Rather than leaving each business to work out its technology roadmap alone, the programme provides three things: a sector-specific plan, a shortlist of vetted digital solutions, and consultancy help – all backed by government co-funding.
The three pillars of the programme
1. Industry Digital Plans (IDPs)
An Industry Digital Plan is a step-by-step digitalisation roadmap tailored to a specific sector – retail, food services, logistics, wholesale trade, construction, and many more. Each IDP maps digital solutions to the stage a business is at, typically across three levels: getting the digital basics in place, then process automation, and finally more advanced, data-driven and AI-enabled capabilities. The IDP answers the “where do I start and what’s next?” question that stops so many owners from acting.
2. Pre-approved digital solutions
IMDA pre-approves digital solutions and vendors that meet quality, security and value standards, so SMEs do not have to evaluate hundreds of products themselves. Pre-approved solutions cover common needs such as accounting, invoicing, inventory, HR and payroll, customer management, e-commerce and cybersecurity. Because these solutions are pre-qualified, they are also the ones eligible for grant support – reducing both the risk and the cost of adoption.
3. Consultancy and advisory support
For businesses that need more hands-on help, the programme offers advisory services – from basic project advice to more strategic support such as digital consultancy for SMEs that are ready to scale their digital capabilities. This helps owners avoid the classic mistake of buying software that never gets properly implemented.
The funding: Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)
The main funding mechanism sitting inside SMEs Go Digital is the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG). The PSG co-funds the adoption of pre-approved digital solutions, typically covering up to 50% of qualifying costs, with the exact support level and caps set by the administering agencies and subject to change. Because the grant applies to pre-approved solutions, the process is far simpler than a bespoke grant application – you are choosing from a vetted list, not writing a business case from scratch.
The PSG is one of several grants an SME can tap, and it often makes sense to plan digitalisation alongside broader capability-building support. See our comparison of EDG vs PSG vs MRA to understand where the PSG fits, and our guide on how to stack Singapore government grants to sequence your applications sensibly. Always confirm current funding rates and caps on the official IMDA and Enterprise Singapore websites and the Business Grants Portal before committing.
Who is eligible
PSG support under SMEs Go Digital is generally aimed at Singapore-registered businesses that meet standard SME eligibility conditions – broadly, being registered and operating in Singapore, having a minimum local shareholding, and meeting the SME criteria on group revenue or employment. The purchased or leased solution must be used within Singapore. Eligibility conditions vary by grant and can change, so check your specific situation before purchasing – buying first and applying later can disqualify the claim.
How to apply, step by step
Step 1: Identify your needs using the IDP
Start with your sector’s Industry Digital Plan to see which solutions match your stage. Resist the urge to buy the flashiest tool – pick the one that solves a real bottleneck.
Step 2: Choose a pre-approved solution
Browse the pre-approved solutions for your need and shortlist vendors. Get quotations, and confirm the solution and vendor are currently on the pre-approved list, because only pre-approved solutions qualify for PSG support.
Step 3: Apply through the Business Grants Portal
Grant applications are made on the Business Grants Portal using Corppass. Apply before you commit to the purchase, submit the required quotations, and wait for approval before proceeding. Applying after buying is the most common reason claims fail.
Step 4: Implement and claim
Once approved, deploy the solution, keep all invoices and proof of payment, and submit your claim with the supporting documents. Retain records in case of audit – see our guide on what to do after your grant is approved.
Getting the most from the programme
- Match the tool to a real problem. Digitalise your worst bottleneck first – usually invoicing, inventory or payroll – rather than buying software you will not use.
- Sequence your grants. Use the PSG for off-the-shelf digital tools, and consider the Enterprise Development Grant for larger, customised transformation projects.
- Plan the change, not just the purchase. Budget time for staff training and process change; the technology only pays off if people actually use it.
- Keep clean records. Grant claims and any future audit both depend on documentation.
SMEs Go Digital lowers both the cost and the risk of digitalisation by pairing a clear roadmap with vetted solutions and real funding. Used well, it turns “we know we should go digital” into a concrete, part-funded project with a measurable payback.
Raffles Corporate Services helps Singapore SMEs identify the right pre-approved solutions, confirm eligibility, and prepare and submit grant applications on the Business Grants Portal – so you claim what you are entitled to and stay compliant when it is time to claim.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services