Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI): a guide for Singapore companies
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The short answer: the Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI) is a S$150 million programme from Budget 2025, run by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), that pairs companies with participating cloud service providers for the AI tools, compute and consultancy needed to build AI into their business. DISG funds 70% of consultancy costs, capped at S$105,000 per company. It is aimed at companies with at least 10 staff in Singapore, a tech team of at least two and backing from the CEO, so it suits a different stage of AI maturity from most SME grants.
This guide covers what the ECI funds, who can apply, how to apply, and how it compares with WDG(JR+) and the EDGE Grant. All funding is subject to eligibility and approval.
ECI at a glance
| What DISG states | |
|---|---|
| Run by | Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) |
| Announced | Budget 2025, as a S$150 million initiative |
| What it offers | AI tools, compute and consultancy through participating cloud service providers |
| Consultancy support | 70% of consultancy costs, capped at S$105,000 per company, on a total supportable cost of S$150,000 |
| Who can apply | Registered or incorporated and physically present in Singapore, CEO or equivalent sponsorship, at least 10 staff based in Singapore, and a tech team of at least two |
| Sectors | All sectors except gambling and betting |
| How to apply | Online through DISG, with Corppass and your latest audited financial statements |
| Outcome | Generally within 4 weeks, with an assigned cloud service provider if successful |
What the ECI funds
The ECI combines three things through the participating cloud service providers: access to AI tools, compute to run them, and consultancy to design and build the use case. DISG’s consultancy support covers 70% of actual costs, capped at S$105,000 per company, so the company pays the remaining 30%.
The use case must use AI for at least one of these objectives:
- Process improvement
- New product development
- Research and development
- Contribution to the broader ecosystem
DISG also expects the use case to show impact for the company or its industry and to lead to the company setting up its own AI team. That last point is what separates the ECI from most SME support: it is built to grow in-house AI capability, not only to deliver one project.
Who can apply, and who it does not suit
DISG’s baseline criteria are a business entity registered or incorporated and physically present in Singapore, sponsorship at CEO or equivalent level, at least 10 staff based in Singapore, and a tech team of at least two people. Companies from all sectors may apply except gambling and betting.
Those criteria leave out many smaller SMEs. If you have fewer than 10 staff in Singapore, or no in-house tech team, the more practical routes are usually:
- WDG(JR+) for a custom AI workflow that changes how people work, funded at 70% for SMEs together with job redesign, with the build done by an implementation partner.
- The EDGE Grant for listed digital solutions and other activities.
Our guide to AI grants in Singapore compares them.
How to apply
- Define the use case. Describe your AI ambition, the objective it serves and the impact you expect, in a way that leads to an in-house AI team.
- Prepare the documents. Your Corppass login and your latest audited financial statements.
- Choose a cloud service provider. You can state a preferred provider, and you are free to choose any of the participating ones, not only the one you already use.
- Submit through DISG. Applicants are generally told the outcome within 4 weeks.
- Onboard. If successful, the assigned cloud service provider contacts you with onboarding information, including the programme milestones.
One point to confirm with DISG before you start: an older DISG FAQ says companies need to work with a pre-qualified consulting partner on the ECI list. Check whether that still applies to your application.
ECI vs WDG(JR+) vs the EDGE Grant
| ECI | WDG(JR+) | EDGE Grant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run by | Digital Industry Singapore | Skills and Workforce Development Agency | Enterprise Singapore |
| Funds | AI consultancy, with tools and compute from a cloud provider | The AI build and training, paired with job redesign | Listed activities across eight business areas |
| Support | 70% of consultancy costs, capped at S$105,000 | 70% for SMEs, 50% for non-SMEs, within $150,000 per enterprise | Differs by activity, S$100,000 a year in total |
| Suits | Companies building in-house AI capability | A workflow where roles change | Packaged solutions and other listed activities |
| People side | Expects an in-house AI team to result | Job redesign built in; redesigned staff can be invited to apply for CCP salary support | Not covered |
Combining the ECI with other support
The rule is the same as for every Singapore scheme: each cost can only be funded once. A company could, for example, use the ECI for AI consultancy on a cloud platform, while the redesign of the roles affected by the new system is scoped separately under WDG(JR+), and staff moving into those redesigned roles are supported under the Career Conversion Programme. Keep a cost register that shows which scheme funds each line, and check with each agency before relying on a combination.
What to check before you apply
- The application window. Check DISG’s programme page for whether applications are open and any closing date.
- The consulting partner requirement, as above.
- What the cloud provider contributes, such as credits or tools, and on what terms.
- Your own share. The consultancy support covers 70%, so budget for the remaining 30% and for costs outside the consultancy.
Frequently asked questions
- Q: What is the Enterprise Compute Initiative?
A: A S$150 million programme from Budget 2025, run by Digital Industry Singapore, that pairs companies with participating cloud service providers for AI tools, compute and consultancy to build AI into their business. - Q: How much does the ECI fund?
A: DISG funds 70% of consultancy costs, capped at S$105,000 per company, on a total supportable consultancy cost of S$150,000. The company pays the remaining 30%. - Q: Who is eligible for the ECI?
A: A business entity registered or incorporated and physically present in Singapore, with CEO or equivalent sponsorship, at least 10 staff based in Singapore and a tech team of at least two. All sectors may apply except gambling and betting. - Q: How do I apply for the ECI?
A: Apply online through DISG with your Corppass login and latest audited financial statements, and describe your AI use case. You can state a preferred cloud service provider. Applicants are generally told the outcome within 4 weeks. - Q: Can a small SME use the ECI?
A: Only if it meets the criteria, including at least 10 staff in Singapore and a tech team of at least two. Smaller SMEs usually find WDG(JR+) or the EDGE Grant a better fit for an AI project. - Q: Can I combine the ECI with WDG(JR+)?
A: On different costs, possibly, but the same cost cannot be funded twice. For example, the job redesign around a new system can be scoped separately from the ECI consultancy. Check with each agency before relying on a combination.
Where to check current terms
Figures here reflect the official material we could find as at 28 October 2026. Confirm current terms with DISG’s ECI programme page, the ECI factsheet (updated 10 February 2026), DISG’s apply page and DISG’s FAQs.
This article is general information, not financial or legal advice.
→ Read next: AI grants in Singapore for SMEs, and which one fits
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