Higher funding support for enterprises to develop capabilities during the economic downturn is extended till 31 January 2011. Find out more about the changes.

For who?

• All small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
  
  
• Your business qualifies as a SME if:
  
  
  • your business is registered in Singapore
  • 30% - 100% of your shareholding is local
  • your group fixed assets are worth S$0 - S$15 million*
  • you have 0 - 200 employees (for companies in the services sector)*

* Computed on a group basis i.e. checking up to three levels for corporate shareholders holding 20% - 100% of the total shareholding in your company and one level down where your company owns 51% - 100% of the shareholding in a subsidiary company.

For what?

• To help SMEs use intellectual property (IP) to thrive and grow. Under IPM, you will learn how to create, own, protect and commercialise your IP, e.g. brands, designs, trade secrets and customer relation systems.
  
  
• You can use the grant to subsidise the cost of:
  
  
  • IP Consultancy Projects (Phase 1)
    Legal and business experts identify the strengths and weaknesses of your IP strategy and systems using a tool known as SCOPE IP^TM.
    
    
  • IP Implementation Projects (Phase 2)
    You improve your IP strategy and systems based on the strengths and weaknesses identified in Phase 1.

How much?

• Phase 1 - Up to 70% of the consultancy fees.
  
  
• Phase 2 - Up to 70% of the qualifying costs of implementation projects. Qualifying costs include costs related to manpower, equipment, materials, consultants and IP rights.

Things to note

• The grant is given on a reimbursement basis. You need to pay for all the costs upfront and claim for the funds after your project is completed.
  
  
• To find a consultant for Phase 1, please contact the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).
  
  
• Examples of IP implementation projects:
  
  
  • IP Audit
  • IP Education and Training
  • IP Intelligence and Research
  • IP Portfolio Management
  • IP Strategy
  • IP Valuation
  • Licensing

Facts & Figures

• S$9 million dollars has been set aside for IPM.
  
  
• Some 200 SMEs are expected to benefit from the funds over 2 years.

Changes from 1 February 2009 - 31 January 2011

• IPM is part of BUILD (Business Upgrading Initiatives for Long-Term Development) which helps businesses to strengthen their capabilities during the downturn for future growth.
  
  
• BUILD provides higher funding support to SMEs for all existing SPRING Singapore's capability development programmes. This applies to applications received between 1 February 2009 and 31 January 2011.

	Existing	Revised
Funding support	Up to 50% of qualifying cost for Phase 1 and 2	Up to 70% of qualifying cost for Phase 1 and 2

For more information

Intellectual Property Management (IPM)
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)

Intellectual Property Management (IPM)
SPRING Singapore