In this guide · 8 sections
- 01What CTO-as-a-Service was, and what changed in 2026
- 02The free tools on SMEs Go Digital today
- 03Who can use it, and how it links to grants
- 04How to use the output before buying anything
- 05When a pre-approved package is not the right answer
- 06Other free or funded advice for SMEs
- 07Do it yourself or get help?
- 08Frequently asked questions
Short answer
CTO-as-a-Service was consolidated into IMDA's SMEs Go Digital platform on 2 March 2026. You can still use free self-help tools: Go Digital Advisor, Industry Digital Plans and GenAI Navigator, plus a list of pre-approved solutions that may qualify for up to 50% grant support under EDGE.
What CTO-as-a-Service was, and what changed in 2026
IMDA launched CTO-as-a-Service under its SMEs Go Digital programme to give small firms some of what a chief technology officer would: a readiness check, a list of vetted solutions and access to digital consultants. Government pages such as CEA's CTOaaS page still describe it that way, including complimentary in-depth advisory and project management from qualified consultants.
Two things changed. In October 2025 IMDA revamped the platform with a new Go Digital Advisor tool. Then IMDA's vendor guide states that effective 2 March 2026, the CTO-as-a-Service platform was consolidated under the SMEs Go Digital brand. The old CTOaaS address now redirects to the SMEs Go Digital platform.
The free tools on SMEs Go Digital today
The platform is free to browse and does not need a grant application. These are the tools listed on the platform as of October 2026.
| Tool | What it does | Best used for |
|---|---|---|
| Go Digital Advisor | You describe a business problem in plain words; it suggests matching pre-approved solutions | A first shortlist when you know the pain point but not the product type |
| Industry Digital Plans | Sector-by-sector, step-by-step guides to digital solutions | Seeing what is normal for your sector at each stage |
| GenAI Navigator | Matches you to generative AI solutions | Exploring AI chatbots, content tools and office AI |
| Pre-approved solutions list | Over 300 essential business solutions with up to 50% grant support | Comparing vendors whose solution may qualify for a grant |
| Digital Transformation resources | Playbooks for firms further along, including an AI for Enterprise Impact playbook | Planning bigger changes once the basics are in place |
Go Digital Advisor's own help text says its recommendations are drawn only from the pre-approved solutions on the platform, that AI may misunderstand your needs, and that prompts are saved to improve the service. Do not type customer names, financial figures or other confidential details into it.
Who can use it, and how it links to grants
Anyone can use the self-help tools. Grant support is a separate step with its own rules. Enterprise Singapore's PSG page now says EDG, MRA and PSG ceased on 29 September 2026, and new applications go to the EDGE Grant from 30 September.
For IT, that means a pre-approved solution found on SMEs Go Digital may qualify for up to 50% support for SMEs under EDGE, paid back after you finish and claim. Our EDGE Grant guide explains the caps, eligibility and application steps.
How to use the output before buying anything
The tools give you a shortlist, not a decision. A pre-approved label means IMDA has vetted the vendor and package for the grant, not that it suits your business. Use the shortlist like this:
Write down the problem in one paragraph
What takes too long, what goes wrong, and what it costs today. For example: quotes take two days and staff copy data between three spreadsheets.
Run Go Digital Advisor and the Industry Digital Plan
Note the solution categories it suggests, not just product names. Check your sector plan for what usually comes first.
Check what you already pay for
Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Xero or your POS may already do part of the job. Many firms pay twice for the same feature.
Shortlist two or three solutions and ask the same questions
Total cost over three years after the grant, contract length, data location, export options and who supports you.
Ask for a trial with your own data
A week with real quotes, bookings or invoices shows more than any demo.
Apply for the grant, then sign
Only after the application is in. Keep the quote addressed to your exact ACRA-registered name.
When a pre-approved package is not the right answer
Grant-supported packages suit common needs: accounting, HR, POS, simple e-commerce. They are less suited when the need is specific to your firm or crosses several systems.
A pre-approved package fits when
- The problem is common in your sector
- One product can do most of the job
- You are happy with a 12 to 24 month contract
- The grant saving outweighs any lock-in
Look elsewhere when
- You mainly need two existing tools to talk to each other
- The fix is a setting or workflow in software you already own
- You need a custom form, portal or report
- You want month-to-month terms and full data export
For connecting tools you already use, a small automation is often cheaper than a new system. Our workflow automation cost guide shows typical prices. For a new business, see our new company IT set-up cost guide for the basics to put in place first.
Other free or funded advice for SMEs
If you wanted CTOaaS for a specific area, there may be a more targeted programme.
- AI: IMDA's newer AI support for SMEs is covered in our guide to IMDA's October 2026 AI support
- Cybersecurity: CSA's CISO-as-a-Service gives funded help to build a cybersecurity health plan; see our CISO-as-a-Service guide
- Sector plans: your trade association or sector agency may run digital clinics alongside the Industry Digital Plans
Do it yourself or get help?
The SMEs Go Digital tools are free and quick, so use them first. They work best when you already know the problem you want to solve and can compare vendors on total cost and terms.
If the answer is a website or an automation rather than a packaged product, our published prices are full prices with no grant, as IT Sorted is not an IMDA pre-approved vendor. Business Website is S$1,490, built on accounts you own, and Workflow Automation is S$390 per workflow to connect the tools you already pay for.
Frequently asked questions
Not under that name. IMDA's vendor guide says the CTO-as-a-Service platform was consolidated under the SMEs Go Digital brand from 2 March 2026, and the old address redirects there. The self-help tools continue as Go Digital Advisor, Industry Digital Plans, GenAI Navigator and the pre-approved solutions list.
Yes. Browsing solutions and using Go Digital Advisor, the Industry Digital Plans and GenAI Navigator costs nothing. You only pay when you buy a solution from a vendor. Some pre-approved solutions can get up to 50% grant support for SMEs, which you apply for separately before signing or paying.
Older descriptions of CTO-as-a-Service mentioned complimentary consultant advisory for eligible SMEs. When we checked in October 2026, IMDA's current SMEs Go Digital pages did not describe that service. Contact IMDA directly to confirm what one-to-one support is available before you rely on it.
Since 30 September 2026, Enterprise Singapore's EDGE Grant replaced PSG for new applications. For pre-approved single-function digital solutions, SMEs can get up to 50% support, subject to caps. Apply on the Business Grants Portal before paying any deposit or signing the vendor's contract.
Describe the problem in general terms only. The tool's own help text asks users not to enter personal, sensitive or confidential information, and says submitted prompts are saved and analysed to improve the service. Leave out customer names, prices and anything covered by an NDA.