Are you a Malaysian creative content or technology company? MDEC is offering grants up to 1 MILLION ringgit

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has commenced the application process for three key grants intended to enhance Malaysia’s digital economy. Backed by the MADANI government, these grants include the Digital Content Grant (DCG) for 2024/2025, the Malaysia Digital Catalyst Grant (MDCG), and the Malaysia Digital Export Grant (MDXG).

The application period opened on 9 September 2024, signifying a significant step forward in Malaysia’s digital transformation journey.

Here’s how the Digital Content Grants can help you

DCG has been instrumental in supporting Malaysian creative content companies, enabling the development, production, and commercialisation of digital content across various sectors, including animation, digital games, digital comics, and creative technology.

This year, the DCG is offering three distinct grant types tailored to the needs of different digital content producers:

• Mini Grant: Designed to support the development and commercialisation of digital content products with a maximum allocation of RM150,000 per recipient. Allowable project duration is up to 6 months.
• Prime Grant: Targeting larger-scale projects, this grant supports development and commercialisation with a ceiling of RM500,000 per recipient. The project duration allowed is up to 9 months.
• Marketing & Commercialization Grant: This grant focuses on commercialising digital content products, offering up to RM300,000 per recipient. The allowable project duration is up to 9 months.

Eligible applicants for the Mini Grant consist of local digital content companies, enterprises, sole proprietorships, partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. The Prime and Marketing & Commercialisation Grants are open to any local company registered in Malaysia that has at least 51% Malaysian ownership, a minimum issued share capital of RM20,000, and holds Malaysia Digital (MD) Status and/or Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Status. For complete eligibility criteria, please visit the website: MDEC Grants.

What is the Malaysia Digital Catalyst grant?

The Malaysia Digital Catalyst Grant is intended to catalyse the use and development of disruptive and creative sustainable solutions within MD-promoted industries that are consistent with the National Fourth IR policy. The grant will be used solely to co-create, problem-solve, develop, and commercialise innovative solutions with an end-user partner.​

It provides funding of up to RM1 million or 50% of project costs to promote innovation in Malaysia’s digital sector, supporting projects in MD-promoted sectors for up to one year. Since 2021, it has aided 59 companies in developing impactful solutions, such as a cloud-based defect management system for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). To know more about this grant, click here.

What Malaysia Digital Export Grant can assist you with

Similarly, the Malaysia Digital Export Grant (MDXG)MDXG is focused on assisting Malaysian technology companies which have proved export readiness and want to extend their global market presence. The grant is intended to encourage high-value digital exports that lead to the creation and commercialisation of market-driven, disruptive, inventive, and sustainable products or services for the global market.

It offers up to RM1 million or 50% of project costs, focusing on helping Malaysian companies expand globally through high-value technological activities. Notable successes include a blockchain-based electric vehicle app and 5G IoT solutions for ATM security. For more information, click here.

MDCG and MDXG are exclusive to local or foreign-owned companies with MD status. Companies who have yet to achieve MD status are encouraged to apply, as this recognition offers several strategic benefits. By achieving MD status, businesses enjoy priority access to MDEC’s extensive support network, increased visibility in the digital economy, and substantial prospects for collaboration and growth within Malaysia’s forward-thinking digital ecosystem.

To provide further information, MDEC hosted two briefing sessions for the DCG on 11 and 24 September 2024. There are three sessions for the MDCG and MDXG that took place on 12 and 18 September as well as a final session that will happen on 2 October 2024. You can register for the session here.

Applications opened on 9 September 2024 and will remain open until the funds are fully committed. Those interested can submit their applications online at https://malaysiadigital.mdec.my/.