For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into daily operations once seemed like a luxury reserved for tech giants. Today, it’s rapidly becoming a necessity, from streamlining operations and automating repetitive tasks, to delivering hyper-personalised customer experiences. But AI adoption is still not without its challenges. Many SMEs are held back by high upfront costs, limited internal technical capabilities, or uncertainty about return on investment. The good news? Singapore offers a robust suite of government grants to help local businesses offset these costs and build future-ready digital capabilities, including AI. With the right combination of funding and expertise, SMEs can unlock real business value from AI, without overstretching their resources. This article explores how SMEs can leverage these grants effectively, and how partnering with a technical expert like AngelHack DevLabs can turn funding into functional AI solutions.

Why Should SMEs Consider AI Integration?

AI has the potential to transform how SMEs operate. Some of the most immediate benefits include:

• • Automating routine tasks (e.g., finance reporting, scheduling, email drafting)

• • Enhancing customer service through AI-powered chat or voice agents

• • Personalising marketing and sales outreach at scale

• • Improving decision-making with predictive analytics

• • Reducing manual errors and improving operational efficiency

In other words: AI isn’t just a trend. It’s a productivity multiplier, and Singapore is actively encouraging its adoption through a growing ecosystem of grants.

Enterprise SG Grants

Eligibility

• • A business entity registered and operating in Singapore.

• • A minimum of 30% local shareholding held by Singaporean(s) and/or Singapore PR(s), based on ultimate individual ownership; and

• • A Group Annual Sales Turnover not exceeding S$100 million OR a Group Employment Size not exceeding 200 employees.

1. Microsoft Copilot for SMEs Programme

• • Helps SMEs adopt AI-powered Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 to enhance productivity

• • Support Level: Includes workshops, consultancy, and integration support.

• • Application Process: Sign up through any six appointed partners here

2. Applied AI Programme at Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs)

• • For SMEs looking for more sophisticated AI integration, or are unable to find suitable solutions, to develop customised AI solutions with the help of Institutes of Higher Learning

• • Support Level: Collaboration with academic institutions for AI development.

• • Application Process: Submit an AI problem statements and work here

3. GenAI Sandbox 2.0

• • Provides hands-on experience in testing and integrating generative AI tools. This includes:
    • • Generative web design
    • • Virtual assistant for customer engagement staff
    • • Human resource – talent acquisition/ onboarding

• • Support Level: Up to 50% funding support, access to AI tools, training, and expert guidance

• • Application Process: SMEs can apply here

Other SME Grants

4. Advanced Digital Solutions (ADS)

• • Helps businesses adopt AI, robotics, blockchain, and IoT for long-term digital transformation. Supports built environment, retail, security, and sustainability projects.

• • Eligibility
    • • Registered and operating in Singapore
    • • At least 30% local shareholding
    • • Annual turnover under $100 million or fewer than 200 employees

• • Support Level: Up to 70% funding for qualifying costs.

• • Application Process: Apply under one of the following schemes: Omnichannel Retail Management (OCRM) and Integrated Security Management (ISM).

5. Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

• • Supports SMEs in upgrading, innovating, growing, and transforming their businesses through automation and process redesign.

• • Eligibility
    • • Be registered and operating in Singapore
    • • Have a minimum of 30% local shareholding
    • • Be in a financially viable position to start and complete the project
    • • Engage management consultant(s) with the Singapore Accreditation Council accredited TR 43 or SS 680 certification, if you are applying for support for consultancy-related costs.

• • Support Level: Up to 50% funding (up to 70% for sustainability-related projects until 2026), streamlining workflows, use of technology, developing performance measures and tracking systems

• • Application Process: Submit a project proposal here.

6. Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

• • Supports SMEs in adopting pre-approved IT solutions, equipment and consultancy services.

• • Eligibility
    • • Singapore-registered SME looking to continue your digitalisation and productivity upgrading efforts
    • • At least 30% local ownership
    • • Purchase/lease/subscribe the IT solution(s) or equipment(s) to be used in Singapore

• • Support Level: Up to 50% of funding for eligible costs.

• • Application Process: Apply through the GoBusiness portal here

7. Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant

• • $100 million grant to help businesses implement transformation plans that improve productivity and workforce skills.

• • Eligibility
    • • Registered in Singapore
    • • Developed a CTC-endorsed transformation plan

• • Support Level: Up to 70% funding.

• • Application Process: Submit a proposal here

How AngelHack DevLabs Supports Grant-Funded AI Projects

Once your grant is approved, the real work begins: building a product that actually delivers business value. That’s where AngelHack DevLabs comes in. We specialise in AI adoption, helping SMEs turn funding into functional, scalable solutions. Here’s how we support grant-funded AI initiatives:

1. AI Integration & Build (Project-Based or Retainer)

• • API and backend integration of AI tools

• • Natural language workflows using Model Context Protocol (MCP)

• • Prototypes and full builds for grant-backed pilots

• • Iterative development with short release cycles

We work either on a fixed project basis or monthly retainer, depending on the scope and complexity of your build.

2. CTO-as-a-Service

For SMEs without internal AI or product leadership, we offer fractional CTO support to guide your project:

• • Translate business goals into technical strategy

• • Manage technical vendors or freelance engineers

• • Oversee timelines, architecture, and quality assurance

• • Ensure alignment with your AI roadmap

This is especially useful for SMEs executing an AI project for the first time or scaling up from MVP to production.

3. Staff Augmentation: AI-Ready Teams

Need to move fast but lack in-house engineering? We provide on-demand AI engineers, product managers, and backend developers who are:

• • Experienced in LLMs, voice agents, and generative AI

• • Skilled in integrating tools like GitHub, Figma, or CRMs via MCP

• • Ready to plug into your team for short- or long-term engagements

This allows you to scale development without long hiring cycles or overhead.

Our Focus Areas

We don’t just build general-purpose tools. We focus on AI infrastructure and interaction, with proven expertise in:

• • Model Context Protocol (MCP): Building natural language layers on top of tools like Figma, GitHub, and internal platforms

• • AI Voice Agents: Deploying intelligent phone and web agents for sales, customer support, and onboarding flows

These technologies aren’t just flashy, they’re practical, powerful, and ready to deploy in real business settings. If your SME has secured a grant and is now looking to execute effectively, we’re here to help. Get in touch here for a free consultation!