# IMDA GenAI Sandbox for SMEs > IMDA GenAI Sandbox for SMEs offers up to 50% grant support for Singapore businesses, capped at 3-month trial period per solution. Max Support Up to 50% grant support Cap 3-month trial period per solution ### On This Page ## Overview The GenAI Sandbox is an initiative by IMDA (in partnership with Enterprise Singapore) to allow SMEs to experiment and pilot pre-approved generative AI (GenAI) solutions in a low-risk environment. It provides trial access (typically 3 months) to GenAI solutions, with grant support for part of the costs, so SMEs can gain hands-on experience before committing to full deployment. The first version ran in 2024, and GenAI Sandbox 2.0 was launched in late 2024 to continue and broaden adoption. ## Support Details #### Support Rate Up to 50% grant support for trialling GenAI solutions during the 3-month period #### Cap 3-month trial period per solution, approximately 15 GenAI solutions available across categories ### Project Duration & Scope 3-month trial period per solution, with potential for continuation post-trial ## Eligibility Criteria - Must be ACRA-registered, taxable, and operating in Singapore - Must have ≥30% local shareholding - SME size limits: Group sales turnover ≤S$100 million per annum OR group employment size ≤200 employees - Cannot have adopted any other solution under the same GenAI Sandbox previously - Must select from pre-approved GenAI solutions in the Sandbox's curated list - Trial period limited to three months for the selected solution ### Supported Categories Generative Web Design (Marketing & Sales): Prompt-based generation of websites, layout design, content + visuals for marketing websites Virtual Assistants for Customer Engagement Agents: GenAI tools that assist human customer service agents - suggest context-aware replies, schedule meetings after calls GenAI for Talent Acquisition/Onboarding (HR Operations): GenAI solutions to streamline HR workflows - generating tailored job descriptions, screening resumes, aiding onboarding tasks ### Application Process 1 Select from pre-approved GenAI solutions in one of the three categories 2 Submit application demonstrating SME eligibility criteria 3 Get selected into sandbox cohort (competitive selection) 4 Receive up to 50% grant support for 3-month trial period 5 Undergo solution onboarding and staff training 6 Implement and test GenAI solution in real business workflows 7 Monitor usage, feedback, and measure KPIs during trial 8 Evaluate results and decide whether to continue post-trial 9 Apply for additional support if eligible to continue using solution #### Processing Time GenAI Sandbox 1.0: Launched February 2024, GenAI Sandbox 2.0: Launched 2 December 2024 ### Project Duration & Completion 3-month trial period per solution, with potential for continuation post-trial ### Best Practices for a Successful Application Start with concrete problem - pick specific use cases where you see pain or opportunity rather than AI for AI's sake Ensure data readiness - clean, structured data, access, integration timelines affect deployment speed Engage vendor/solution providers early for onboarding, customisation, integration support Set realistic trial goals/KPIs - define success metrics (% time saved, increased engagement, reduced workload) for 3 months Monitor usage and feedback during trial - track logs, outputs, user experience, error rates, and iterate Plan for scale/production early - think about hosting, maintenance, integration beyond trial Train internal staff - ensure staff understand how to use, sanitize prompts, manage exceptions Address governance/compliance early - plan for data privacy, audit logs, model oversight, fallback mechanisms Participate fully in workshops/community - leverage support, learn from others in Sandbox cohorts Decide early whether to continue - evaluate cost vs benefits, technical debt, adoption before committing ### Sample Use Cases & Scenarios SMEs experiencing GenAI capabilities in real business workflows without full-scale deployment commitment Assessing fit, feasibility, ROI, and adoption challenges before heavy investment Marketing content generation and chatbot tools through partners like Addlly AI Website design and layout generation for marketing purposes Customer service agent assistance with context-aware response suggestions HR workflow automation including job description generation and resume screening ### Additional Information Programme History and Evolution: GenAI Sandbox 1.0 (2024): • First national GenAI sandbox launched in February 2024 • About 300 SMEs targeted across sectors (retail, F&B, education, hospitality) • Around 150 SMEs participated with ~80% continuing to use solutions after trial period • 3-month trial period with curated GenAI solutions GenAI Sandbox 2.0 (Late 2024): • Announced 29 October 2024, launched 2 December 2024 • Up to 50% grant support for 3-month trials • Approximately 15 GenAI solutions across three focused categories • Enhanced focus on web design, customer engagement, and HR operations Key Benefits and Outcomes: • Low-risk environment for SMEs to experience GenAI capabilities • Real business workflow testing without full deployment commitment • Assessment of fit, feasibility, ROI, and adoption challenges before major investment • High retention rate (80% in 1.0) indicating strong perceived value • Hands-on experience with pre-approved, curated solutions Important Limitations and Considerations: • Limited to selected solutions - cannot bring own outside solutions • Temporal limitation - short 3-month trials may not capture full impact or scaling challenges • Grant support is partial (50%) - SMEs still bear part of cost/effort • Post-trial commitment - recurring costs, scaling, maintenance must be borne by SME • Data/privacy/governance concerns with customer and personal data • Potential vendor lock-in/dependency issues • Selection risk - not all applicants may be accepted due to limited cohort capacity ## Contact Information Official Website Email: info@imda.gov.sg Phone: +65 6211 0888 ## Frequently Asked Questions The GenAI Sandbox is an initiative by IMDA (in partnership with Enterprise Singapore) to allow SMEs to experiment and pilot pre-approved generative AI (GenAI) solutions in a low-risk environment. It provides trial access (typically 3 months) to GenAI solutions, with grant support for part of the costs, so SMEs can gain hands-on experience before committing to full deployment. The first version ran in 2024, and GenAI Sandbox 2.0 was launched in late 2024 to continue and broaden adoption. Must be ACRA-registered, taxable, and operating in Singapore. Must have ≥30% local shareholding. SME size limits: Group sales turnover ≤S$100 million per annum OR group employment size ≤200 employees. Cannot have adopted any other solution under the same GenAI Sandbox previously. Must select from pre-approved GenAI solutions in the Sandbox's curated list. The IMDA GenAI Sandbox for SMEs provides Up to 50% grant support funding support, capped at 3-month trial period per solution. Up to 50% grant support for trialling GenAI solutions during the 3-month period Select from pre-approved GenAI solutions in one of the three categories. Submit application demonstrating SME eligibility criteria. Get selected into sandbox cohort (competitive selection). Receive up to 50% grant support for 3-month trial period. Undergo solution onboarding and staff training. Implement and test GenAI solution in real business workflows. Monitor usage, feedback, and measure KPIs during trial. Evaluate results and decide whether to continue post-trial. Apply for additional support if eligible to continue using solution. Visit the official portal at https://www.imda.gov.sg/resources/press-releases-factsheets-and-speeches/factsheets/2024/gen-ai-sandbox-2-0 The IMDA GenAI Sandbox for SMEs is administered by Infocomm Media Development Authority. You can contact them at info@imda.gov.sg or +65 6211 0888. Where Volty fits ## For businesses that answer customers on WhatsApp Volty is Voltade's WhatsApp AI agent builder. A business trains its own agent on its SOPs, products and brand voice, and the agent answers enquiries on the business's own WhatsApp number, then takes the booking, logs the order or updates the record in the tools the business already runs. Volty starts at S$199 a month on the Plus plan, with unlimited seats. Volty is sold under Voltade AI Solutions, a PSG Pre-Approved Solution, so eligible Singapore SMEs can receive up to 50% PSG support on it. Talk to Volty to start a 7-day trial: Volty interviews your team and drafts its own instructions, and you read them before anything is live. Talk to Volty ## Other Relevant Grants Explore additional funding opportunities that might complement this grant Energy Efficiency Fund (E2F) · Up to 70% (enhanced from April 2023) support, Technology-specific caps: S$200k-S$350k per facility · SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) · Up to 90% support, S$10,000 one-off credit · Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI) · Up to S$555,000 total support support, S$150,000 consulting cap, companies co-pay 30% ## Links - [Energy Efficiency Fund (E2F)Up to 70% (enhanced from April 2023) support, Technology-specific caps: S$200k-S$350k per facility](https://voltade.com/sg/grants/e2f-grant) - [SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)Up to 90% support, S$10,000 one-off credit](https://voltade.com/sg/grants/sfec-grant) - [Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI)Up to S$555,000 total support support, S$150,000 consulting cap, companies co-pay 30%](https://voltade.com/sg/grants/eci-grant)