Pertama vs YCP Group: Which AI Consulting Firm?
Both firms offer AI consulting in Southeast Asia. Here's an honest comparison to help you choose the right partner for your business size and needs.
Quick Comparison
AI Training & Advisory for SMB
Best For:
SMB needing hands-on AI training and implementation
Premier AI consultant in Singapore
Best For:
Large enterprises with established PMO teams
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | Pertama Partners | YCP Group |
|---|---|---|
| SMB Focus | Purpose-built for SMB | Enterprise-first |
| Government Funding Support | Full support (HRDF, SkillsFuture, CEF, Prakerja) | Limited guidance |
| 3-Tier Solution Model | Training, Implementation, Engineering | Full transformation programs |
| Hands-on Implementation | We build alongside your team | Strategy + advisory focus |
| Multi-office Presence | SEA + HK coverage | 21 offices across APAC |
| Track Record | Growing SMB portfolio | 2000+ enterprise clients, 10+ years |
| Transparent Pricing | Published tier-based pricing | Custom enterprise quotes |
Who Each Firm Serves Best
- SMB with 20-500 employees
- Mid-market with $5M-$100M revenue
- First-time AI adopters
- Lean teams without dedicated AI staff
- Companies seeking government-funded training
- Enterprise with 500+ employees
- Established corporations and MNCs
- Multi-year transformation programs
- Companies with in-house PMO teams
- Clients needing pan-Asian presence
Service Offerings
Both firms offer AI consulting, but their approach and target audience differ significantly.
| Service | Pertama | YCP Group |
|---|---|---|
| AI Strategy & Roadmap | ||
| Executive AI Training | ||
| Team-Wide AI Workshops | Limited | |
| Government Funding Assistance | ||
| Hands-on AI Implementation | Partner-dependent | |
| Custom AI Engineering | ||
| Multi-year Transformation | ||
| Pan-Asian Program Management | Growing |
Pricing Approach
Transparent, tier-based pricing
Three solution tiers (Training, Implementation, Engineering) designed for different budgets and maturity levels.
- Clear pricing structure upfront
- Government subsidy support (up to 90% for training)
- Flexible engagement models
- No hidden fees or scope creep surprises
Enterprise consulting rates
Custom quotes based on project scope, duration, and team size. Typical enterprise consulting pricing.
- Tailored to specific enterprise needs
- Multi-year program pricing available
- Comprehensive transformation packages
- Established billing relationships with MNCs
When to Choose Pertama
- You're an SMB (20-500 employees) looking for practical AI implementation
- You want to maximize government subsidies (HRDF, SkillsFuture, CEF, Prakerja)
- You need hands-on implementation support, not just strategy decks
- You prefer transparent pricing over custom enterprise quotes
- You're in SEA or Hong Kong and need local expertise
- You're a first-time AI adopter without dedicated AI staff
When to Choose YCP Group
- You're a large enterprise (500+) needing full-scale transformation
- You have an established PMO team to manage external consultants
- You need a firm with 21+ offices across Asia-Pacific
- You have a multi-year budget for comprehensive programs
- You require a globally recognized brand name for stakeholder buy-in
Frequently Asked Questions
Pertama offers mid-market pricing designed for SMB budgets, plus we help clients maximize government subsidies (up to 90% for training). YCP targets enterprise clients with premium consulting rates. For SMB clients, Pertama typically offers better value and ROI.
YCP has 10+ years and 2000+ enterprise clients. Pertama specializes in SMB AI adoption with deep expertise in Southeast Asian government funding programs. We focus on practical implementation for growing businesses rather than large-scale enterprise transformation.
Yes, our Engineering tier serves mid-market and larger clients. However, our core strength is SMB (20-500 employees). For Fortune 500 companies needing multi-year, pan-Asian transformation programs, YCP may be a better fit.
Pertama has a dedicated Training tier with government funding expertise (HRDF, SkillsFuture, CEF). We help companies access up to 90% subsidies. YCP offers training as part of broader transformation, but it's not their primary focus.
Pertama operates across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. YCP has 21 offices across Asia-Pacific, giving them broader geographic reach but less SMB-specific focus in each market.