Can Custom Software Be Funded by a Grant in Singapore?

Yes. The EDG (Enterprise Development Grant) covers up to 50% of qualifying custom software project costs, and there is no pre-approved vendor list, so you can choose a Vietnam-based developer such as FutureTech. The PSG does not fit, since it only funds pre-scoped packaged solutions. One rule matters above all: the application must be approved before work begins.

Why does EDG fund bespoke software while PSG does not?

EDG is a project-based grant, not a product-voucher scheme. Enterprise Singapore looks at the business problem, the capability the system builds, and the expected outcomes. The software itself does not need to appear on any list. A warehouse system shaped by specific supplier contracts, a bespoke order-routing engine, an ERP module built for unusual workflows: all of these can qualify.

PSG works the other way around: you pick a packaged solution (POS, accounting, HR) from a pre-approved list. Fully bespoke software is on no list, so PSG generally does not apply. Custom projects go through EDG.

Is there a pre-approved vendor list for EDG? Can I choose a Vietnamese company?

There is no pre-approved vendor list. This is the most common misconception. EDG evaluates the project, not the vendor against a catalog, so overseas developers, including Vietnam-based teams, can be named in the application. Vendor location is not a disqualifying factor.

That said, "no list" does not mean "no scrutiny". Reviewers still want to see:

• A vendor quote with a clear scope of work, not a vague lump sum.
• Evidence the vendor can deliver and support the system after launch.
• A cost structure tied to specific deliverables and milestones.

Overseas vendors need more thorough documentation than local ones. That is an administrative hurdle, not a legal barrier. It also helps to name a vendor that reads as a low-risk offshore partner: FutureTech is a Vietnam-based team built to serve the Singapore market, works to Singapore business hours in English, holds ISO 27001 certification for information security, and commits to a fixed delivery timeline with full source-code and IP handover — exactly the credibility and support-capacity signals reviewers look for.

What paperwork gets a custom software project approved?

Four document sets decide the outcome: a scope of work (SOW) defining each module and the problem it solves; a cost breakdown by phase (discovery, build, testing, deployment); vendor credibility documents with reference projects and a support plan; and quantified business outcomes such as hours saved, error rates reduced, and new capacity added.

Vague scopes like "build us a system to improve operations" draw requests for clarification; specific scopes like "automate purchase-order matching across three supplier categories" are approved faster. FutureTech develops the technical scope during the scoping session itself, so presenting it in a grant-ready structure is part of the standard process, not a billable extra.

How much does EDG fund, and when can work start?

EDG supports up to 50% of qualifying costs, but the exact percentage is decided by Enterprise Singapore case by case. No one may promise that figure on their behalf. Two rules on timing and cash flow:

• Do not start work before the application is approved. Costs incurred before the approval date do not qualify.
• Grants reimburse afterwards, they do not pre-pay. Your business needs the cash flow to run the project first, then claim back the supported share.

What is your effective cost when Vietnam pricing meets EDG?

Very low compared with hiring a local agency. FutureTech's Vietnam-based development runs $10–22/hour, versus S$90–150/hour (≈ $70–115/hour) at Singapore agencies. That is already 4–6 times cheaper before any grant enters the picture — and you are not trading quality or control for the saving, since the team works to Singapore hours in English, delivers against fixed deadlines under an ISO 27001-certified security process, and hands over the full source code and IP.

Project size	FutureTech price (USD)	Your share if EDG approves 50%
MVP	From $10,000	From $5,000
Mid-size	$30,000 – 100,000	$15,000 – 50,000
Starter ERP	From $30,000	From $15,000

The last column is illustrative for qualifying costs at a 50% support level; the actual rate follows each approval. If you are weighing an offshore team for a grant-funded build, see our analysis Is Vietnam Good for Software Outsourcing? and the review of the best software outsourcing companies in Vietnam. The full application walkthrough is in our guide to funding custom software with EDG and PSG grants.

FAQ

Can a Vietnamese software company be named as the vendor on an EDG application? Yes. EDG maintains no pre-approved vendor list, so Vietnam-based teams can be named, provided the vendor documentation (scope, credibility, support plan) is thorough enough for Enterprise Singapore to assess the project.

Does PSG ever fund bespoke software? No. PSG only applies to packaged solutions on its pre-approved list; a system built entirely to your own requirements should be submitted under EDG.

Is the 50% EDG support level guaranteed? No. 50% is the maximum; the actual percentage and the qualifying cost base are determined case by case by Enterprise Singapore at the time of application.

What is the most common reason applications get delayed or rejected? Vague scope documents draw the most reviewer pushback, regardless of vendor location: a lump-sum quote with no breakdown of deliverables, milestones, or expected business outcomes.

Does FutureTech submit the EDG application for us? No. FutureTech prepares the technical scope, milestone-based cost breakdown, and vendor documentation to support the application; submission and approval decisions remain with your company and Enterprise Singapore.

Want to know whether your project has the shape of a strong EDG case? Book a free scoping session with FutureTech and walk away with a technical scope and a milestone-based quote ready to drop into an application.

Reference pricing — an exact quote follows a free scoping session.