Funding
Hong Kong Funding Details & Self-check
Choose a programme to review eligibility, funding scope, material requirements and a quick self-check checklist.
BUD Fund
Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales / market development support
Eligibility Overview
- Hong Kong non-listed company registered under the Business Registration Ordinance and established for at least 1 year
- Substantive Hong Kong operations: office, employees, MPF records, business transactions and audit records
- Turnover reference should be planned conservatively, with HKD 3 million as a safer benchmark when applicable
- For Mainland implementation, equity linkage between Hong Kong and Mainland entities should be clarified
Funding & Resources
- Up to HKD 1 million per project and HKD 7 million cumulative cap per enterprise
- After the March 2025 adjustment, the government funding ratio is 25% and the enterprise bears 75%
- Eligible costs may include new business units, staff, equipment, advertising, exhibitions, e-commerce platform, samples, patents and trademarks
Materials & Process
- BR, CR, NAR1 and latest audit report
- Office lease, utility bills or office photos
- MPF contribution proof for at least two employees
- Recent invoices, receipts and bank records
- Project proposal with implementation plan and budget
Cyberport Incubation Programme (CIP)
Incubation for digital technology startups
Eligibility Overview
- Company is registered or being registered in Hong Kong
- Company is not more than 7 years old
- Founding team holds more than 51% in total
- Business belongs to digital technology, such as AI, Web3, fintech, smart living or digital entertainment
- After admission, at least one local authorised representative must work in Hong Kong during the programme
- Product or service can be launched within 12 to 18 months
Funding & Resources
- Up to HKD 500,000 in phased financial support
- Rental subsidy up to HKD 200,000 and access to workspaces
- Access to meeting rooms, AI computing resources, investors and commercial partners
Materials & Process
- Company documents such as CR, BR and NAR1 where applicable
- English business plan covering business, technology, market and operation plan
- Financial plan and use of funds
- Core team CVs and supporting documents
Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF)
Seed funding for concept validation and early prototypes
Eligibility Overview
- Individual applicants usually need Hong Kong permanent identity; company applicants need a Hong Kong limited company
- Project should be related to digital technology such as fintech, Web3, e-commerce or SaaS
- Suitable for idea stage or early development stage projects
- Applicants should not receive concurrent funding from other public programmes for the same project
Funding & Resources
- Up to HKD 100,000 seed funding
- Funding is usually released in three stages: HKD 10,000, HKD 45,000 and HKD 45,000
- Programme period is usually 6 months with interim and final reports
Materials & Process
- Project concept and business plan
- Team profile and execution plan
- Prototype or validation materials if available
- Market, innovation and social impact explanation
HKSTP Ideation Programme
Early-stage support to turn innovation ideas into technology businesses
Eligibility Overview
- Individual applicants should be 18+ and hold a Hong Kong identity card
- Company applicants should be Hong Kong limited companies incorporated for not more than 2 years
- Teams do not need to register first but must form a Hong Kong limited company within two weeks after passing assessment
- Students and working professionals may participate part-time
Funding & Resources
- Up to HKD 100,000 seed funding released in stages
- Shared workspace, mentorship and training
- Progression path to HKSTP incubation with higher-level support
Materials & Process
- Business plan with project summary, product features, R&D, sales and market plan, team and schedule
- Team background and project roadmap
- Technology and commercial feasibility evidence
HKSTP Incubation Programme
Three-year support for technology startups to commercialise R&D results
Eligibility Overview
- Hong Kong limited company incorporated within 5 years
- At least 2 full-time employees, with at least half engaged in R&D
- Founding team holds at least 51%
- Technical team holds at least 10%
- Product is at prototype stage or market-validated MVP
- Technology field includes ICT, electronics, green technology or precision engineering
Funding & Resources
- Up to HKD 1.29 million funding support for R&D and business development
- Incubation manager, technical support, labs, equipment and software
- Mentors, strategic partners, investors and market exposure opportunities
Materials & Process
- Online application form and supplementary documents
- Business plan, product or prototype details
- Team, equity and R&D staffing proof
Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS)
Large-scale matching funding for companies with substantive R&D activities
Eligibility Overview
- Hong Kong company with valid business registration
- Not a government-funded organisation or subsidiary
- Substantive business operation in Hong Kong
- Project must involve real R&D rather than general trading or routine operations
Funding & Resources
- 1:1 matching funding; enterprise bears at least 50% of project cost
- Up to HKD 10 million per approved project
- Project period generally not more than 24 months
- Eligible costs include R&D salaries, equipment, consumables, prototype/testing services, patent and audit fees
Materials & Process
- CR, BR, latest annual return or incorporation form
- Company organisation chart
- Detailed R&D project proposal and budget
- Supporting documents for team capability and commercialisation potential
Research Talent Hub - Technology Companies (RTH-TC)
For technology companies conducting or planning R&D activities in Hong Kong
Eligibility Overview
- Company is conducting or planning R&D in Hong Kong
- Company has substantive business operation in Hong Kong at application
- Company is registered under Hong Kong business or company law
- Company is not a government-funded organisation or subsidiary
- Research talent is legally allowed to work in Hong Kong and holds a STEM bachelor, master or PhD degree from eligible institutions
Funding & Resources
- Each company may hire up to 4 research talents at the same time
- Engagement period generally up to 36 months
- Monthly subsidy ceiling: HKD 20,000 for bachelor, HKD 23,000 for master, HKD 35,000 for PhD
- PhD talent may receive an additional HKD 10,000 monthly living allowance
Materials & Process
- Company registration and business operation proof
- R&D activity explanation
- Candidate degree and work eligibility documents
- Application through ITCFAS
Research Talent Hub - HKSTP/Cyberport (RTH-SPC)
For HKSTP and Cyberport incubatees and I&T tenants
Eligibility Overview
- Applicant company is an incubatee or I&T tenant of HKSTP or Cyberport
- Research talent is a Hong Kong permanent resident or legally allowed to work in Hong Kong during the engagement
- Research talent holds an eligible STEM bachelor, master or PhD degree
Funding & Resources
- Each company may hire up to 4 research talents at the same time
- Engagement period generally up to 36 months
- Monthly subsidy ceiling: HKD 20,000 for bachelor, HKD 23,000 for master, HKD 35,000 for PhD
- PhD talent may receive an additional HKD 10,000 monthly living allowance
Materials & Process
- HKSTP/Cyberport incubatee or tenant proof
- Candidate degree and work eligibility documents
- R&D role description and application through ITCFAS
Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU)
University-linked technology startup funding for commercialising R&D results
Eligibility Overview
- Hong Kong company incorporated for not more than 2 years for the original scheme, or not more than 7 years for the extension scheme
- Team may include university undergraduates, postgraduates, alumni, professors or staff advisors
- Extension applicants need private investment no less than the requested grant during the matching period
Funding & Resources
- In 2026-27, each of the six universities may receive up to HKD 12.8 million per year
- Each startup may receive up to HKD 1.5 million per year for up to 3 years
- Funding may cover essential startup operating costs, R&D, promotion and marketing of R&D results
Materials & Process
- Apply through the relevant university knowledge transfer office, technology transfer office or entrepreneurship centre
- Business plan, team background and R&D commercialisation plan
- Private investment proof for extension scheme where applicable
