If you’re a Malaysian entrepreneur, SME owner, or startup founder wondering what kind of business funding is available in 2025, you’re in the right place. The government has unveiled a broad array of grants, soft loans, and tax incentives for various sectors, from agriculture and digital content to green technology and export expansion.
In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about Malaysia’s SME and startup grants in 2025: who is eligible, how much you can get, and how to apply smartly.
Why This Matters: Billions in Unclaimed Funds
Every year, hundreds of millions of ringgit go unclaimed, not because they’re unavailable, but because most SMEs either don’t know they exist, or don’t know how to apply. Some funding programmes have <10% uptake, especially regional or niche grants like the NCER Innovation Grant or Service Export Fund.
If you run a business, whether it’s tech, agriculture, retail, services, or export, you’re likely eligible for at least one of the programmes below.
Featured Grants & Funding Programmes for 2025
1. CIP Spark & CIP Sprint (Cradle Fund)
- Best For: Tech startups, early-stage and growth-stage
- Funding: Up to RM150,000 (CIP Spark), RM600,000 (CIP Sprint)
- Type: Conditional grant (repay only if you breach terms)
- Eligibility: Malaysian tech entrepreneurs, individuals or registered Sdn Bhds
- Application: Year-round via cradle.com.my
2. Digital Content Grant (DCG) – MDEC
- Best For: Creatives in animation, games, comics, media tech
- Funding: RM150k–RM500k depending on tier
- Eligibility: Companies with Malaysia Digital Status or MSC
- Application: Open from Sept 2024 until funds exhausted
3. Market Development Grant (MDG) – MATRADE
- Best For: SMEs doing export (goods or services)
- Funding: RM300,000 lifetime cap (reimbursement)
- Eligibility: Registered exporters, Malaysian-owned
- 2025 Update: Fully digital via the new MADANI Trade platform
4. NCER Technology Innovation Grant
- Best For: Companies in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak
- Funding: 50% matching grant up to RM100,000
- Hidden Gem: Very low awareness and simple to apply
5. LCTF (Low Carbon Transition Facility) – BNM
- Best For: SMEs investing in green tech or energy efficiency
- Funding: Up to RM10 million soft loan, 5% max interest
- Status: Still open in 2025 via participating banks
Full Comparison Table of Business Grants (2025)
How to use this table: Click the official site links to go straight to application portals. Look out for “One-off” labels if the grant ends in 2025.
| Programme (Eng / Malay) | Agency | Type | Max Funding | Key Eligibility | 2025 Status / Portal | Recurrence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIP Sprint | Cradle Fund | Conditional Grant | RM600,000 | Tech SMEs (Sdn Bhd) | cradle.com.my | Recurring |
| CIP Spark | Cradle Fund | Conditional Grant | RM150,000 | Early-stage startups, teams, individuals | cradle.com.my | Recurring |
| DCG / Geran Kandungan Digital | MDEC | Matching Grant | RM150k–500k | Creative tech companies | mdec.my | Recurring |
| MDCG | MDEC | Matching Grant | RM1 million | MD Status tech firms | mdec.my | Recurring |
| MDXG | MDEC | Matching Grant | RM1 million | Exporting tech firms | mdec.my | Recurring |
| MDG | MATRADE | Reimbursement | RM300,000 | Export-ready SMEs | matrade.gov.my | Recurring |
| eTRADE 2.0 | MATRADE | Reimbursement | RM25,000 | SMEs in e-commerce | matrade.gov.my | One-off (ends 2025) |
| NCER Innovation Grant | NCIA | Matching Grant | RM100,000 | SMEs in NCER states | ncer.com.my | One-off (ends 2025) |
| LCTF | BNM + Banks | Soft Loan | RM10 million | Green projects | bnm.gov.my | One-off (until exhausted) |
| Agropreneur Muda | KPKM | In-kind + Loan | RM20k + RM50k–500k | Youth in agriculture | kpkm.gov.my | Recurring |
| HIP | KPKM | Matching Grant | RM200,000 | Agro SMEs (sales RM300k–5M) | kpkm.gov.my | Recurring |
| CUP | KPKM | Matching Grant | RM60,000 | Micro agro-food firms | kpkm.gov.my | Recurring |
| Rezeki Tani | KPKM | In-kind Grant | RM10,000 | B40 in agriculture | kpkm.gov.my | Recurring |
| NTIS Sandbox | MTDC / MOSTI | Grant + Convertible | RM250k–5 mil | Innovative tech trials | sandbox.gov.my | Recurring |
| BAP 3.0 | SME Corp | Matching Grant | RM400,000 | SMEs (≥2 years) | smecorp.gov.my | Recurring |
| BEEP Plus | SME Corp | Matching Grant | RM500,000 | Bumiputera SMEs | smecorp.gov.my | Recurring |
| TEKUN Financing | TEKUN Nasional | Islamic Loan | RM100,000 | Micro & small Bumi biz | tekun.gov.my | Recurring |
| PUNB Financing | PUNB | Islamic Loan / Equity | RM50k–10 mil | Bumiputera businesses | punb.com.my | Recurring |
| Service Export Fund (SEF) | MATRADE | Reimbursement | RM5 million | Services firms going global | matrade.gov.my | One-off (ends 2025) |
How to Choose the Right Grant for Your Business
- Early-stage startup? Go for CIP Spark or Agropreneur Muda Grant (if agriculture-based).
- Exporting services? Apply to Service Export Fund (SEF) – up to RM5 million.
- Scaling SME? Try BAP 3.0, HIP Grant, or MDCG.
- Creative or content company? Target DCG or MDEC’s MDXG.
- Facing financial distress post-COVID? Look at SMERF or TEKUN financing.
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
- Submitting incomplete documents
- Not meeting Bumiputera or SME criteria
- No co-funding or own capital
- Applying to the wrong scheme (e.g. wrong sector)
- Spending money before grant approval (disqualified!)
Pro Tip: Always doublecheck your eligibility and use the agency’s checklist.
Expert Tips to Maximise Your Chances
- Prepare a solid proposal with financial forecasts, timelines, and impact metrics.
- Register your company on relevant portals: MATRADE (MyExport), SME Corp (SMEInfo), MDEC (Malaysia Digital).
- Follow up consistently with officers. A polite reminder email can move your file forward.
Downloadable Grant Guidelines (Direct Links)
| Grant Name | Guideline Link |
| CIP Spark / Sprint | Cradle Guidelines PDF |
| MDG | MDG 2023/2024 PDF |
| DCG | MDEC DCG Guide |
| LCTF | BNM SME Funds PDF |
Always check the latest documents before applying, some portals update monthly.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Leave Money on the Table
Whether you’re running a creative tech startup, a homegrown agro-business, or scaling up a manufacturing SME, there’s a funding programme tailored to your needs. While some grants are sector-specific, others, like BAP 3.0 or TEKUN, are open to a wide range of business types across Malaysia, including retail and services.
The key is understanding your eligibility, preparing solid documentation, and acting fast before annual quotas run out.
Bookmark this guide and share it with a fellow business owner, it could literally be worth RM500,000 to them.
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