5 Government Grants for F&B - updated 2020
Running a restaurant is expensive – thankfully we have some government grants and subsidies that make it a little easier to bear. Not all grants are publicized as applicable for F&B though, and they can be hard to track down. Here’s a list of applicable grants for F&B – we will add to the list if we find more!
Starting with the most common, in case you don’t know much about it:
1. PSG: Productivity Solution Grant
Grants :
UP TO 80% FROM 1 APRIL 2020 to 30 SEPTEMBER 2021
To be eligible for PSG, F&B businesses must:
1. Be registered and operating in Singapore
2. Holds a minimum of 30% local share
3. Company annual sales turnover ≤ S$100 Million or ≤ 200 employees
4. Purchased/ Leased technology solutions and equipment must be utilizing it in
Singapore
Procurement software is beneficial for automatic purchasing processes and managing F&B business expenditures.
EzyProcure is a Procure to pay solution software that F&B businesses can adopt. It provides real time data to F&B businesses to make informed decisions that automates the order creation process, procurement process.
Business process management software aids F&B business to automate processes that will help optimize businesses to deliver company goals.
Cadstudio is a management software that aids startups to achieve efficiency for seamless communication.
Point of sale solutions software is the pivot for F&B businesses to operate as the system consists of sales, inventory, staff, and customer management which allows businesses to run smoothly and efficiently.
iCHEF is a cloud-based POS system that provides convenience to F&B users as it is an all in one unit that comes with features to perform tasks which includes ordering to procurement to employee management.
Human Resource software can be used to automate payroll information and this helps to reduce human errors.
HRMLabs is a cloud-based human resource and payroll system that promotes productivity in F&B businesses. HRMLabs recently launched out temperature screening solutions that F&B businesses can use to be more efficient in their daily operations.
*Firms must apply by 31st December 2020 in order to receive up to 80% support grants (after which they will only be eligible for up to 70% support).
Click here to browse the full list of solutions available.
Application guidelines via https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/financial-assistance/grants/for-local-companies/productivity-solutions-grant
Apply via https://www.businessgrants.gov.sg/
2. FDBP: Food Delivery Booster Package
With COVID’19 on the rise, it is undetermined when our food and business are going back to normal, thus the Government has launched a food delivery booster package aimed to help F&B businesses to transit from an offline mode of sales to online using delivery partners. Under this package, there are the Capability Development Pack and the Enterprise Development Grant.
To be eligible for these grants, F&B businesses:
1. Must be registered and operating in Singapore
2. Sale of food must be consumed within premises
3. Holds a minimum of 30% local shares
4. Have the financial capabilities to see through the end of the project
2.1. CDP: Capability Development Packs
CDP is designed to provide SMEs that are using delivery platforms such as GrabFood, Foodpanda and Deliveroo.
Interested F&B businesses can apply to these platforms from 13 April 2020 to 31 December 2020 and a $100 fee will be charged upon signing up.
CDP consist of:
2.2. EDG: Enterprise Development Grant
Grants:
UP TO 80% FOR SMEs FROM 9 APRIL 2020 to 30 SEPTEMBER 2021
EDG is designed to aid SMEs to innovate, develop and transform longer-term digital capabilities through the use of technology. These can be achieved by creating a virtual brand and developing an online to offline (O2O strategy).
Apply via http://www.businessgrants.gov.sg
3. DRB: Digital Resilience Bonus
Grants :
UP TO $10K
DRB can be used to increase SMEs digital competitiveness and productivity.
To be eligible for DRB, F&B businesses must fulfill both
(i) Paynow Corporate
(ii) PEPPOL e-invoicing
Once both criteria are fulfilled, F&B’s can determine which category they want to pursue.
CATEGORY 1 & 2: $2500
CATEGORY 3: $5000
Category 1: Accounting, HR payroll and Digital ordering for Dine-in/ Takeaway
If your F&B business uses all the above business process solutions at least once a month, you will be eligible for the payout in category 1.
iCHEF POS system falls under Category 1 as such if you are using iCHEF, you have fulfilled the criteria.
Category 2: Online food delivery platforms, e-procurement. If your F&B outlet is on Grabfood, FoodPanda or Deliveroo at least once a month, you will be eligible for the payout in category 2.
Category 3: Data mining and analytics
If your F&B business is using a qualified solution to enhance productivity, you will be eligible for the payout in category 3.
* Pre-approved list of vendors are not released yet
Solutions must be adopted by June 2021
More information via https://www.imda.gov.sg/programme-listing/smes-go-digital/Digital-Resilience-Bonus
4. PCP: Professional Conversion Programmes
Subsidies:
AGE 40 & BELOW: UP TO 70% COURSE FEES
AGE 40 & ABOVE: UP TO 90% COURSE FEES
PCPs is a career conversion program that aims to attract new entrants and mid career PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives and, Technicians) to re-skill and undertake a career change in the F&B sector.
To be eligible for PCP, Candidates must:
Be a Singapore Citizen or a Permanent Resident
Be newly hired and nominated by the employer
Have at least 2 years of working experience and NOT in a similar job position prior to joining PCP
The 3 modes of PCP are:
Place and train where PMETs are hired by partake employers before undergoing training to commence in a new job role
Redeployment/ Job Reskilling where PMETs are to undergo re-skill training to partake in other job scope within the same company and existing employer.
Attach-and-Train where PMETs are provided with training and work attachments prior to finding employment.
Duration of training will last from 3 months to 24 months depending on the job requirements.
For instance, PMET’s will attend a 6 months program to equip themselves with skills on being a restaurant manager. At the end of the course, PMET’s will receive a certification in Food and Beverage operations from Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ).
Application guidelines via: https://conversion.mycareersfuture.sg/Portal/PCP_Applicant_Guide.pdf
Apply via: https://www.ssg-wsg.gov.sg/
5. Hawker’s Productivity Grant
Grants :
CLAIM 80% OF AUTOMATION COST, CAPPED AT $5000 OVER 3 YEARS
Hawker’s Productivity Grant (HPG) is a support grant aimed to improve hawkers productivity through the use of automations and technology.
To be eligible for HPG, hawkers must:
Be a registered stallholder and a valid hawker license issued by NEA/SFA
Possess a valid Tenancy Agreement with NEA with a remaining tendency of 1 year or more.
Comply with all regulations required from NEA
Some equipment examples that are eligible for grants are the automatic stirrer, Vacuum sealing pack machine, Dough Divider etc.
Click here to determine which equipment makes the mark.
Apply via: https://e-services.nea.gov.sg/hcms/
If you’re a new, first-time F&B entrepreneur planning to open an outlet soon, we’ll explain all this in more detail at our F&B Entrepreneur Bootcamp.
Jointly organised by DBS BusinessClass, we’ll explain the government grants , take you through the NEA Licence application process, discuss Facebook marketing and also financing for your outlet. This Bootcamp is held monthly. Click for more info!
Cheryl Tay is the editor and marketer at iCHEF Singapore. She also manages iCHEF Club, a growing community of F&B owners in Singapore – organising events, an online newsletter and the F&B Entrepreneur Bootcamp, the only regular workshop on opening a new restaurant in the country. In her spare time, she attempts to read every book that’s ever won a literary prize and watches cat videos. Like any proper Singaporean, her love for food runs deep – especially spicy food. Chili is life.
