The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) announced the 2022 edition of the Global Technology Grant (GTG) and 4IR Catalyst Grant (4ICG) and is calling for new applicants. The GTG provides applicants access to funding for research or innovation, development and commercialisation of innovative commercial products or services, while the 4ICG helps technology solutions providers to co-create, problem-solve, innovate, and deploy 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) solutions in partnership with an end-user.
The CEO of MDEC stated that the time is now for technology companies to further their digital agenda as the global market is hungry for solutions that reduce the digital divide. He also noted that the GTG and 4ICG grant provides tech companies with the necessary funding to go further with their products and services aside from fostering technology champions, attracting investment and incubating innovation for the digital ecosystem.
MDEC is confident that great innovations will be coming from the grant applicants as they continue to help foster ecosystems conducive to driving Malaysia forward towards becoming the preferred digital hub.
GTG is open to technology companies or start-ups that are ready to venture into their first global market or want to expand their existing global presence with further product and service commercialisation, with a maximum project duration of two years.
Applicants may be locally owned or foreign-owned companies with the former receiving up to 50% of the total project cost or RM2 million, whichever is lower, while the latter receiving 30% of the total project cost or RM2 million, whichever is lower.
The GTG is also open to foreign technology companies to set up Centres of Excellence in Malaysia that are focused on conducting high-value innovation and research and development (R&D) activities. Similarly, they too will be able to receive up to 30% of the total project cost or RM2 million, whichever is lower.
Meanwhile, the 4ICG is designed to catalyse the use and development of 4IR technology into key business verticals as outlined in the National 4IR Policy. The grant will be used solely for the purpose of co-creation, problem-solving and commercialisation of 4IR solutions with a project duration of 1 year.
4ICG applicants can consist of technology solution providers and must be able to demonstrate that they have secured the commitment of the end-user to fund their share of the project cost at the time of application.
They can be locally owned or foreign-owned companies with the former receiving up to 50% of the total project cost or RM2 million, whichever is lower, while the latter receiving 30% of the total project cost or RM 2 million, whichever is lower.
Among the key focus sectors for 4ICG applicants are the wholesale and retail trade, transportation and planning, tourism, finance and insurance, utilities, professional, scientific, and technical services, healthcare, education, agriculture, and manufacturing. The proposed solutions for the end-user must be developed on the foundation of artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, cloud computing and big data analytics.
In 2021, 12 companies were approved as recipients of these grants. Applications for both the GTG and 4ICG are now open until 30 June 2022 and companies are eligible to apply for either one of the grants available, based on their proposed project. Successful applicants will be announced within two months of the application closing date.
