Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has expanded its Digital Enterprise Blueprint (DEB) with two new partnerships to help 12,000 small and medium‑sized enterprises strengthen their digital capabilities.
Grab will focus on accelerating AI adoption among food and beverage (F&B), e‑commerce and retail businesses, while RSM Stone Forest IT will work to raise cyber resilience through large‑scale phishing simulations and training.
The move builds on DEB’s launch in 2024, which has already supported more than 26,000 enterprises. The initiative remains on track to reach 50,000 SMEs by 2029.
Grab’s new AI programme will offer free online training, masterclasses and webinars through GrabAcademy, alongside a two‑day course co‑developed with Singapore University of Technology and Design. The aim is to help 10,000 SMEs overcome common barriers such as limited awareness and uncertainty around practical use cases.
“Many SMEs are simply too busy to explore new technologies. That is why practical AI matters most. Through GrabAcademy, we have long supported our partners with accessible, applied learning, and this collaboration with IMDA allows us to deepen that support. We are helping SMEs adopt AI in tangible ways that translate into real productivity gains and business growth,” said Alejandro Osorio, Managing Director of Grab Singapore.
RSM’s Cyber2SME programme targets a different but equally urgent gap. With phishing cases rising 49 percent year‑on‑year to 6,100 incidents in 2024, the cybersecurity firm will provide 2,000 SMEs with complimentary phishing simulations covering up to 30 employees each.
The programme includes advisory sessions, performance reports and cybersecurity workshops to help up to 1,000 SMEs identify vulnerabilities before real attacks strike.
“Today, where threats evolve by the minute, our strongest defence is not just technology but our people. When every individual is able to recognise and respond to threats, we turn vulnerability into vigilance,” said Chio Kian Huat, CEO of RSM Singapore.
With Grab and RSM onboard, DEB now has15 partners including AWS, DBS, Microsoft, Singtel, and ST Engineering, each contributing programmes spanning AI adoption, cloud readiness, cybersecurity and workforce upskilling.
Entelechy Asia 