Essential guide for Grant and Funding Scheme in Hong Kong

HK$500,000

Cyberport Incubation Programme

HK$300,000

Cyberport Accelerator Support Programme

HK$200,000

Overseas/Mainland Market Development Support Scheme - MDSS

Innovation and Technology Fund

HK$1,300,000

Researcher Programme

HK$780,000

AWS Activate for Startups

Amazon Web Services

HK$780,000

Google Cloud for Startups

Google Cloud

HK$390,000

Create@Alibaba Cloud

Alibaba Cloud

HK$2,000,000

Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD) - ASEAN FTA Programme

Hong Kong Productivity Council

Provide up to HK$2,000,000 funding on a matching basis for maximum of 10 projects, target ASEAN / FTA markets

updated: 2020-01

Introduction

To help Hong Kong enterprises capture the opportunities arising from the National 12th Five-Year Plan, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government set up a “Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestics Sales” (the BUD Fund) of $1 billion in June 2012. To help SMEs, including start-ups, grasp economic opportunities and boost their competitiveness, the 2018-19 Budget proposed to extend the geographical scope of the BUD Fund to include the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) markets by launching the “ASEAN Programme”, and to increase the cumulative funding ceiling per enterprise for projects involving the Mainland China Market (the “Mainland Programme”). The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved the enhancement proposal and funding injection of $1.5 billion in June 2018.

Financial Aid

Reimbursement of 50% of total approved project cost, up to HK$2,000,000

Target companies

To provide funding support to individual Hong Kong enterprises in undertaking projects to develop brands, upgrade and restructure their business operations and promote sales in the ASEAN & FTA market, so as to enhance their competitiveness and facilitate their business development in the ASEAN & FTA market.

All non-listed enterprises registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Chapter 310) with substantive business operations in Hong Kong are eligible to apply.

Details

Branding

Brand Development Strategy and Planning , Brand Positioning and Image Design, Brand Assessment and Market Survey, and Brand Promotion, etc

Upgrading & Restructuring

New Product Design, New Technology Adoption, Management System Upgrading, Manufacturing Automation, etc

Promoting Domestic Sales

Domestic Sales Market Survey, Domestic Sales Strategy and Plan Formulation, Domestic Sales Channel Building, Product/Service Promotion, etc

Admission & assessment criteria

All applications will be vetted by a Programme Management Committee (PMC). The PMC is chaired by a government official and members are drawn from the government, the trade,industrial and professional sectors with expertise or experience in branding, upgrading & restructuring and domestic sales.

The PMC will usually meet every three months. Applications will be considered by the PMC in batches at its meetings. The cut-off dates for different batches of applications will be announced on the website of the Enterprise Support Programme: http://www.bud.hkpc.org.

Applicants will be informed by the Programme Secretariat (i.e. the Hong Kong Productivity Council) of the results of their applications after the PMC has made the decision.

HK$2,000,000

Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD) - Mainland Programme

Hong Kong Productivity Council

Provide up to HK$2,000,000 funding on a matching basis for maximum of 10 projects, target mainland China markets

updated: 2020-01

Introduction

Financial Aid

Reimbursement of 50% of total approved project cost, up to HK$2,000,000

Target companies

To provide funding support to individual Hong Kong enterprises in undertaking projects to develop brands, upgrade and restructure their business operations and promote sales in the Mainland China market, so as to enhance their competitiveness and facilitate their business development in the Mainland China market.

All non-listed enterprises registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Chapter 310) with substantive business operations in Hong Kong are eligible to apply.

Details

Branding

Brand Development Strategy and Planning , Brand Positioning and Image Design, Brand Assessment and Market Survey, and Brand Promotion, etc

Upgrading & Restructuring

New Product Design, New Technology Adoption, Management System Upgrading, Manufacturing Automation, etc

Promoting Domestic Sales

Domestic Sales Market Survey, Domestic Sales Strategy and Plan Formulation, Domestic Sales Channel Building, Product/Service Promotion, etc

Admission & assessment criteria

Applicants will be informed by the Programme Secretariat (i.e. the Hong Kong Productivity Council) of the results of their applications after the PMC has made the decision.

HK$600,000

Technology Voucher Programme - TVP

Innovation and Technology Fund

Funding up to $600,000 for each eligible applicant will be provided on a 3:1 matching basis

updated: 2020-04

Introduction

TVP was launched in November 2016 on a pilot basis to subsidise local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in using technological services and solutions to improve productivity, or upgrade or transform their business processes.

Financial Aid

3/4 subsidy up to HK$600,000

Target companies

Local entities (except listed enterprises) fulfilling the following requirements are eligible to apply for funding under the TVP

Registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310); or Incorporated and registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622); or Established in Hong Kong by relevant ordinances as statutory bodies

Not a government subvented organisation* or subsidiary of any government subvented organisation

With substantive business operation in Hong Kong which is related to the project under application at the time of application.

Benefit

Funding up to $600,000 for each eligible applicant will be provided on a 3:1 matching basis. The applicant must contribute no less than 1/4 of the total approved project cost in cash. In other words, funding of no more than 3/4 of the actual project cost will be provided to an applicant on a reimbursement basis. Subject to the cumulative funding ceiling of $600,000, up to six projects from an applicant may be approved. To ensure proper focus on project implementation, an applicant is not allowed to undertake more than one TVP project at the same time. Expenditure items under an approved TVP project shall not receive funding support from other local public funding sources.

Details

What kind of projects will be funded by TVP?

TVP supports projects in the form of technological services and solutions which could improve productivity, or upgrade or transform the business processes of the applicant. A list of typical technological services and/or solutions covered by TVP is at Annex B of the Guidance Notes for Applications. Applicants are welcome to propose other technological services and solutions which could achieve the objectives of TVP. We shall consider the merits of such applications on a case-by-case basis. For funding support under TVP, prior approval must be obtained before project commencement. The project deliverables should be used in a way that would have direct impact on the applicant’s business operation in Hong Kong.

How can I use the funds from TVP?

The approved funding from TVP can be used to cover the following:

Technology Consultancy – the applicant may engage a technology consultant to provide external consultancy for conducting the project under application. The consultant must be a local university or research institution, or a company registered in Hong Kong under the BRO.

Purchase, rental or subscription of customised equipment/hardware, software and technological services or solutions that form an essential part of the project.

Purchase, rental or subscription of off-the-shelf/readily available equipment/hardware, software and technological services or solutions that form an essential part of the project. In general, the costs of such equipment/ hardware/ software/ services or solutions should constitute no more than 50% of the project cost.

Project auditing for projects with approved funding exceeding $50,000. The maximum audit fee to be counted towards the total project cost is $3,000.

Normal business operating costs will not be funded under TVP.

Admission & assessment criteria

relevance of the proposed project to the applicant’s business – the project should have good prospects of enhancing its competitiveness through improving productivity, business development/expansion, cost reduction or efficiency enhancement, upgrading/improving/ transforming business processes.

reasonableness of the budget – assessment with reference to market prices of the technologies in question as known to the TVP Committee or ITC will be made. Individual items of expenditure must also be essential and directly related to the implementation of the project.

reasonableness of the implementation details – consideration may include whether concrete project deliverables and outcomes have been set. The implementation details should also be realistic taking into account factors such as the complexity of the technology and the project duration.

adverse record of consultants and/or service provider(s) as known to the TVP Committee and ITC if available.

HK$800,000

SME Export Marketing Fund - EMF

Trade and Industry Department

Funding to cover 50% of total approved expenditure, up to HK$800,000, on expenditure related to export promotion activity

updated: 2020-01

Introduction

The SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) aims to encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to expand their markets outside Hong Kong by providing financial assistance to SMEs for participation in export promotion activities.

Financial Aid

Reimbursement of 50% of total approved expenditure, up to HK$800,000

Target companies

It must be registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310).

It must meet the Government’s definition of an SME, i.e. if it is engaged in manufacturing business, it must employ fewer than 100 persons in Hong Kong; and if it is engaged in non-manufacturing business, it must employ fewer than 50 persons in Hong Kong.

It must have substantive business operations in Hong Kong at the time of making the application. An enterprise holding a shell business registration or having its main business operation outside Hong Kong will not be regarded as having substantive business operations in Hong Kong.

If it has previously received EMF grants, the cumulative amount of grants received must not exceed the prevailing cumulative grant ceiling. Applicant enterprises which have similar business registration details (e.g. nature of business, address, contact numbers, shareholder/directorship) will be treated as connected enterprises. For the purpose of the cumulative grant ceiling, connected enterprises are treated as if they are one enterprise, i.e. the cumulative amount of grants received by the connected enterprises concerned are aggregated and must not exceed the cumulative grant ceiling.

It must not be the organiser/co-organiser/service provider or a related company of the organiser/co-organiser/service provider of the export promotion activity covered by the application.

Details

For enterprises participating in export promotion activities, only the following expenditure items are eligible for EMF grants:

Rental fee for exhibition booth charged by organiser/co-organiser for trade fairs/exhibitions, or rental fee charged by organiser/co-organiser for other forms of participation for exhibits to be displayed at a fixed location throughout the whole period of the activity concerned including showcase, table-top display and garment rack/mannequin, if the applicant enterprise is listed as an exhibitor on the exhibitors’ list with its full company name and Hong Kong contact details.

Construction, set-up and design fee of booth, transportation expenses for the components of booth and exhibits (but excluding goods intended for sales purpose), and rental charges for booth furniture for trade fairs/exhibitions. Expenses for purchasing reusable items and the operation costs of booth (such as salaries of employees) will not be funded.

Participation fee charged by organiser/co-organiser for taking up a speaking session at trade fairs/exhibitions by booth exhibitors at the activity concerned10.

Fee for placing advertisement in the catalogue of a trade fair/exhibition and fee for printing of brochures/leaflets (excluding souvenirs) bearing the full company name of the applicant enterprise and the activity concerned; those brochures/leaflets must be solely for use in that activity.

Fee charged by organiser/co-organiser for non-exhibitors of a trade fair/exhibition to place on-site printed advertisements11 including hanging banner, poster and floor sticker at a fixed location inside the contracted trade fair/exhibition venue throughout the whole period of the activity concerned. The on-site printed advertisement must show the full company name and Hong Kong contact information of the applicant enterprise.

Participation fee of business mission charged by organiser/co-organiser.

Travelling expenses of the proprietors/partners/shareholders and/or Hong Kong-based salaried employees of the applicant enterprise participating as booth exhibitors or mission delegates incurred between Hong Kong and the city where the activity takes place, but excluding expenses for in-town transportation and travelling expenses not related to the participation of the activity concerned. In general, only travelling expenses incurred 5 days before the start of the activity to 5 days after the end of the activity are considered as related to the participation of the activity concerned.

Hotel accommodation expenses of the proprietors/partners/shareholders and/or Hong Kong-based salaried employees of the applicant enterprise participating as booth exhibitors or mission delegates incurred during the period of the activity concerned, but excluding expenses of stay not related to the participation of the activity concerned. In general, only hotel accommodation expenses incurred 2 days before the start of the activity to 2 days after the end of the activity are considered as related to the participation of the activity concerned.

Fee for placing advertisement in printed trade publications which mainly target at markets outside Hong Kong.

Fee for placing advertisement and keyword searching on electronic platforms/media.

Non-recurrent fee for product information listing for sales purpose, setting up/enhancing and promoting online shop on electronic platforms/media. Expenses related to the operation and sales (such as fees for daily maintenance service of online shop, salaries of employees related to daily operation of the online shop, commission based on sales volume, etc.) will not be funded.

Non-recurrent fee for setting up/enhancing the corporate website/mobile application of the applicant enterprise. Expenses related to the operation and sales (such as fees for daily maintenance service of the website/mobile application, salaries of employees related to daily operation of the website/mobile application, commission based on sales volume, etc.) will not be funded.

Admission & assessment criteria

It must be registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310).

It must meet the Government’s definition of an SME, i.e. if it is engaged in manufacturing business, it must employ fewer than 100 persons2 in Hong Kong; and if it is engaged in non-manufacturing business, it must employ fewer than 50 persons in Hong Kong.

It must not be the organiser/co-organiser/service provider or a related company of the organiser/co-organiser/service provider of the export promotion activity covered by the application.

HK$1,290,000

Incubation Incu-Tech

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)

Financial aid package valued up to HK$1,290,000, including HK$480,000 cash grant and HK$810,000 on reimbursement. Also providing Work Premises, Technology Support, Business Support etc for 3 years.

Introduction

Incu-Tech is a 3-year programme operated by HKSTP to provide a range of business and professional services to assist technology startups during their inception stages. HKSTP understands it takes hard work and determination to create the perfect product, application or device that can change the world we live in. We understand the challenges that technology startups face in the creative process. We aim to provide support every step of the way to help technology startups turn their dreams to life.

Financial Aid

Targeted Fund: HK$360,000

Rental Subsidy: HK$450,000

Grant: HK$480,000

Total: HK$1,290,000

Target companies

Technology startups working in deep tech research that develops differentiated solutions are welcomed. Ideal applicants should conduct R&D in the following categories and possess innovation that can impact a diverse range of applications.

Electronics

Green Technology

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Material and Precision Engineering

Benefit

Work Premises

Technology Support

Business Support

Financial Aid Package

Details

Work Premises

HKSTP offers rental subsidy to admitted incubatees to give them more flexibility to allocate resources for R&D. Incubatees can also access ready-to-use co-working space or office premises at Hong Kong Science Park or InnoCentre.

Technology Support

To help incubatees create unparalleled innovation in the shortest time possible while saving costs, we have partnered with world-class R&D equipment and software developers to offer high-standard equipment and lab services.

Each technology cluster enjoys access to dedicated labs and teams of experts within Science Park. The labs and services are flexible and may be used on a time-share basis. The latest equipment can be rented on a project or hourly basis. The labs are staffed by professional engineers to provide necessary support and services. (Click here to download Technology Support Centre Service Terms and Conditions.)

In addition to our in-house expertise, we also partner with leading tech industry giants, including Fujitsu, ASTRI and Rohde & Schwarz and many more to support incubatees’ R&D needs.

HKSTP also helps bridge incubatees and universities to explore collaboration opportunities such as licensing and joint project as well as library services, to accelerate incubatees’ technical development.

Business Support

To help startups establish networks, we organise matching events through which incubatees can find mentors, strategic partners and investors. We also provide advice on business plans, investment preparation and funding.

We take incubatees reach beyond the Park through promotion opportunities such as exhibitions, product launches, press releases and media interviews, business sharing and product demonstration sessions, as well as one-on-one business matching through Technologies from Science Park.

Financial Aid Package

To ensure incubatees achieve success, HKSTP offers funding support to each company to cover R&D and business development expenses.

The programme offers a Financial Aid Package with a maximum of HK$1.29 million to each successful applicant.

Admission & assessment criteria

The applicant must be a Hong Kong registered technology start-up company limited by shares and established within no more than 2 years on or before the date of the application. HKSTP may request for proof including but not limited to audited financial reports of the applicant.

Companies incorporated within 3 years may be considered if the applicant is a current member or a graduate of the STEP programme or was originally incorporated overseas.

The founders must (legally and beneficially) collectively hold at least 51% of the applicant company.

The founders must be: i. individual shareholders, or ii. non-operating holding companies (as reflected by the Articles of Association or any other valid proof), or iii. operating holding companies that fulfill the admission criteria points 1-3 above.

The applicant must have at least 2 full-time staff members; and all staff must be able to work in Hong Kong legally. The team of full-time engineers and technologists must, individually or collectively, own at least 10% of the applicant's equity. If the applicant has technology from a university or research institute and approved by the said institute, any shares held by the founding university professor(s) or technology inventor(s) shall count towards the 10% equity ownership requirement.

At least 50% of the full-time staff must be engaged in technology-related work and based at the Incubation Centre and or the approved centres.

The applicant must be willing to comply with the following requirements throughout the incubation period once admitted into the programme: i. There should be R&D activities carried out at the Incubation Centre space. Operating its office in the Incubation Centre and/ or the Approved Centres as a pure sales and marketing office is not permitted. ii. The applicant’s co-working office and work bench setup at the Incubation Centre must be environmentally friendly (i.e. must not create smell, noise or other elements which may disturb others), should not handle hazardous materials (except in wet labs of Biotech SME Centre adhering to the HKSTP published safety standard and guidelines), and must be able to operate in an office building.

Applicants that had joined or is currently participating in any incubation programmes operated by HKSTP are not eligible for the Incu-Tech Programme. In addition, each of the founding team members of the applicant cannot be: i. a shareholder or a former shareholder who is currently working for or had worked for more than one company which is in or previously joined any incubation programmes operated by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, or ii. a founding team member of more than one company which is in or previously joined any incubation programmes operated by HKSTP.

Require less than 1,600 sq ft of office space.

Quality and competence of the management team

A sound business plan

Innovativeness

R&D content

Plan Feasibility as revealed in milestones

HK$860,000

Incubation Incu-App

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)

Financial aid package valued up to HK$860,000, including HK$320,000 cash grant and HK$540,000 on reimbursement. Also providing Work Premises, Technology Support, Business Support etc for 2 years.

Introduction

Incu-App is a 2-year Programme aiming to provide startup support to companies working on business innovation during their inception stages. Incubatees will enjoy a full range of tailor-made support services and facilities that will help drive their business to the next level of development.

Financial Aid

Targeted Fund: HK$240,000

Rental Subsidy: HK$300,000

Grant: HK$320,000

Total: HK$860,000

Target companies

Companies or startups in the following technology categories are eligible to welcome to apply to join the programme.

Electronics

Green Technology

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Material and Precision Engineering

Benefit

Work Premises

Technology Support

Business Support

Financial Aid Package

Details

Work Premises

Technology Support

In addition to our in-house expertise, we also partner with leading tech industry giants, including Fujitsu, ASTRI and Rohde & Schwarz and many more to support incubatees’ R&D needs.

Business Support

Financial Aid Package

To ensure incubatees achieve success, HKSTP offers funding support to each company to cover R&D and business development expenses.

The programme offers a Financial Aid Package with a maximum of HK$860,000 to each successful applicant.

Admission & assessment criteria

Companies incorporated within 3 years may be considered if the applicant is a current member or a graduate of the STEP programme or was originally incorporated overseas.

The founders must (legally and beneficially) collectively hold at least 51% of the applicant company.

The applicant must have at least 1 full-time staff members; and all staff must be able to work in Hong Kong legally. The team of full-time engineers and technologists must, individually or collectively, own at least 10% of the applicant's equity. If the applicant has technology from a university or research institute and approved by the said institute, any shares held by the founding university professor(s) or technology inventor(s) shall count towards the 10% equity ownership requirement.

At least 50% of the full-time staff must be engaged in technology-related work and based at the Incubation Centre and or the approved centres.

Applicants that had joined or is currently participating in any incubation programmes operated by HKSTP are not eligible for the Incu-App Programme. In addition, each of the founding team members of the applicant cannot be: i. a shareholder or a former shareholder who is currently working for or had worked for more than one company which is in or previously joined any incubation programmes operated by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, or ii. a founding team member of more than one company which is in or previously joined any incubation programmes operated by HKSTP.

Require less than 1,600 sq ft of office space.

Quality and competence of the management team

A sound business plan

Innovativeness

R&D content

Plan Feasibility as revealed in milestones

HK$4,700,000

Leading Enterprises Acceleration Programme - LEAP

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)

Accelerator programme by HKSTP providing package value up to HK$4.7 million, including HK$1.2 million cash reimbursement. Also access to world-class professional services partners covering IP, Accounting, Tax

Introduction

The Leading Enterprises Acceleration Programme (LEAP) is a business acceleration programme that caters to startups’ distinctive needs for growth and accelerates their innovation onto the global stage.

Financial Aid

Total programme value of HK$4,700,000, with HK$1,200,000 in cash reimbursement

Target companies

LEAP is open to promising technology startups from all industries. It is specifically for startups in growth stages that have the following attributes

Innovative technology

Viable products ready for market

A scalable business model

High potential to grow regionally and globally

A competent, passionate and open-minded team

Benefit

Resources are heavily invested in LEAP so that all programme members receive optimal and customised support to realise their full potential and fast-track onto the global stage. The LEAP programme is highly selective. Upon admission, LEAP acceleratees will be entitled to a full package of subsidies and services, including:

EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS TO THE GREATER BAY AREA AND BEYOND = Connect your business to a cluster of 11 cities with a combined population of 65 million and GDP of USD$1.36 trillion (compared to USD$0.76 trillion for San Francisco Bay). It is a powerful business region with a bigger economy than Indonesia, Netherlands and Turkey combined.

ACCELERATE WITH THE BEST = Commercialise with the largest startup ecosystem in Hong Kong, backed by the Hong Kong Government, and leverage a comprehensive range of world-class professional services (including Branding & Marketing, CPA, Channel Distribution, Legal & IP and fundraising), 70+ leading corporate partners and 110+ mentors from more than 20 industries.

ACCESS A WEALTH OF RESOURCES = Secure funding of up to HK$4.7 million (~US$600,000)

Subsidies

Gain a maximum of HK$1.2 million (~US$150,000) funding support to cover the company’s expenses for PR & marketing, professional services and corporate compliance.

Fund Raising Support

Access an extensive investor network, as well as assistance and guidance on preparing financing materials, deal structuring and execution, and negotiations with investors.

Business Development Support

Go regional and global with support for product trials, business expansion tours and executive coaching.

Professional Services Support

Receive guidance about building a solid foundation for company growth, backed by professional services on risk management, IP strategy, compliance and operations.

Upon admission into the Programme, LEAP members must grant a call option to HKSTP for a 5% stake – or a future valuation-based adjustable equity stake – in the company.

Details

Since its inception in 2014, LEAP has helped acceleratees raise over HK$300 million. More than half of the LEAP members have doubled revenues, with some exceeding their growth targets. LEAP members are also pushing their brands globally with an extended reach to more than 20 economies including the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Russia, Australia and Southeast Asia.

Admission & assessment criteria

Either be a current incubation company or a tenant of HKSTP

Have its headquarters, executive functions and corporate CEO based in Hong Kong

Have less than 100 employees

At least 50% of full-time staff members based in Hong Kong engaging in technology-related work

Off-campus applicants shall obtain qualification approval for moving into Hong Kong Science Park premises as a regular office/laboratory tenant within 6 months of admission into LEAP, and comply with HKSTP tenancy/safety requirements.

HK$100,000

Science and Technology Entrepreneur Programme - STEP

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)

12-month Seed funding programme by HKSTP offered HK$100,000 and access to HKSTP coworking space

Introduction

The Science and Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) is a one-year startup support programme designed to nurture tech-focused entrepreneurs to become successful startups and help them turn their brilliant ideas into reality.

Financial Aid

Seed funding: HK$100,000

Benefit

Through the programme, entrepreneurs will receive all-rounded support from HKSTP to acquire the essential skills to launch their new ventures. Apart from business model design and investment training, they will also receive guidance on fine-tuning ideas and technical development. Participating entrepreneurs or startups will also have access to HKD$ 100,000 seed funding and a co-working space during the 12-month programme to realise their ideas. To maximise the effectiveness the programme, a series of training will be arranged for the participants covering the following topics:

Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem

Technical skills on the latest technologies

Business model and business plan

Pitching preparation

Investment and finance

Funding support in Hong Kong

Admission & assessment criteria

Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID) holders aged 18 or above OR

Companies incorporated in Hong Kong for less than 1 year OR

Team applicants that incorporate and register a company in Hong Kong before starting the programme

A Business Proposal is expected to be precise and concise, be delivered in Powerpoint format with minimum 10 pages but no more than 20 OR 3 mins video, covering items listed as follows.

Executive Summary

Products/Services to be developed

Research and Development Content and Plan

Sales and Marketing Plan

Management and R&D team

Qualitative Assessment Criteria

The quality and competence of the individual/team

A sound business plan

The quality of being innovative

R&D content

HK$100,000

Cyberport Creative Micro Fund - CCMF

Hong Kong Cyberport

The programme provide a HK$100,000 seed funding. There are 2 streams in the program - the Hong Kong programme is opened to individuals, teams and companies in Hong Kong. The Cross-Boundary programme encourage young entrepreneurs in high-growth regions of Mainland China to team up with Hong Kong talents to develop innovative digital tech projects and ideas.

Introduction

Cyberport Creative Micro Fund encourages innovation and creativity in Hong Kong. The programme sponsors high potential digital tech start-up projects and business ideas with a HK$100,000 grant. Participants use the grant over six months to produce proof of concepts and prototypes. Each programme is designed to distribute resources among younger age groups, as well as offer support to innovators and entrepreneurs of all ages.

Financial Aid

Seed funding: HK$100,000

Details

CCMF (Hong Kong) programme

For Hong Kong permanent ID holders over the age of 18 or above, or companies registered and incorporated in Hong Kong*, this programme accepts application all year round, applications received will be processed in three batches. It is opened to individuals, teams and companies.

CCMF Cross-Boundary Programme

The CCMF Cross-Boundary Programme encourages young entrepreneurs in high-growth regions of Mainland China to team up with Hong Kong talents to develop innovative digital tech projects and ideas.

There are two stages in applying the programme. The 1st stage application is opened to individuals. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to join an entrepreneurship boot camp and training. The 2nd stage application will be opened after entrepreneurship boot camp and eligible applicants are required to form teams to apply for CCMF in the 2nd stage.

Admission & assessment criteria

Stage 1: Initial screening

An initial screening is conducted by the Cyberport and / or the independent vetting team upon receipt of all applications. The objective is to ensure that applications have fulfilled the eligibility criteria listed in the relevant Application Form and Guides & Notes for Applicant.

Stage 2: Vetting

After a programme’s application deadline and initial screening, the independent vetting team will evaluate the applications. Shortlisted applications will be notified by email.

Stage 3: Presentation session

After the vetting, the independent vetting team will confirm the admission CCMF grantees. Each shortlisted candidate is required to present their application followed by a Q&A session.

Our vetting team

Cyberport Incubation Programme is administered by Cyberport’s Entrepreneurship Committee Advisory Group (ECAG), comprised of financial sector, academic, and Association leaders.

HK$500,000

Cyberport Incubation Programme

Hong Kong Cyberport

Incubation program from Cyberport provide up to HK$500,000 for early-stage Hong Kong companies seeking growth in areas related to digital tech

Introduction

Cyberport Incubation Programme supports entrepreneurs and start-ups with resources that aim to accelerate their growth. In addition to a range of business and professional services, incubatees get up to HK$500,000 support over 24 months. Incubatees can participate in the programme on-site at Cyberport, or off-site at their own premises. A viable business plan for a digital tech related product / service solutions to be ready for market in 12 to 18 months is essential. Applicants must be a limited company registered and incorporated in Hong Kong.

Financial Aid

Initial Working Capital Grant: HK$100,000

Grants upon completion of progress reviews: HK$200,000

Performance-driver 2-tiered assessment: HK$200,000

Total: HK$500,000

Target companies

Cyberport Incubation Programme is for early-stage Hong Kong companies seeking growth in areas related to digital tech.

Benefit

Financial assistance up to HK$500,000

Rent-free working space

Free use of Cyberport shared meeting rooms, co-working space etc

Networking opportunties

Admission & assessment criteria

What you need to apply

A viable business plan for a product / service solutions to be ready for market within 12 to 18 months

Sufficient funds, or plans to raise sufficient funds, for your company to operate for at least one year upon admission as an incubatee

Applicants must be a limited company registered and incorporated in Hong Kong.

Alternative admission route

Many of our incubatees first completed our Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF). This programme offers financial support to individuals and start-up companies, and may be more suitable if you have not formed a company.

Cyberport Incubation Programme applications are evaluated by an independent vetting team that includes venture capitalists, academics, industry veterans and trade association members. They select participants according to five criteria:

Market viability with milestones

Quality and competence of the management team

Business scalability

Functional prototype or product to solve a real problem

Innovativeness

HK$300,000

Cyberport Accelerator Support Programme

Hong Kong Cyberport

Provide up to HK$300,000 financial assistance for incubatees / alumni to expand into international markets & investors

Introduction

The Cyberport Accelerator Support Programme prepares Cyberport incubatees and alumni for international markets and investors, providing up to HK$300,000 financial assistance to each successful applicant.

Financial Aid

75% subsidy on accelerator programme fees, office rental, travel & accommodation, marketing & promotion, professional services

50% subsidy for interns

Up to HK$300,000

Target companies

Cyberport incubatees or alumni, and must be admitted by accelerator programmes endorsed by Cyberport

Benefit

75% subsidy on accelerator programme fees

75% subsidy on office rental

50% subsidy for interns

75% subsidy on travel and accommodation

75% subsidy on marketing and promotion (up to HK$50,000)

75% on professional services

Details

List of Accelerator programmes endorsed by Cyberport:

(last review in January 2019; Next review in January 2020)

500 Startups Accelerator Programme

Able Ventures Accelerate Cambridge

AIA Accelerator

Amplifi

AppWorks Accelerator

ARM Innovation Ecosystem Accelerator 安創加速器

Bang Camp

Betatron Accelerator

Bailian Accelerator 百聯商業互聯網創業空間加速器

Brinc.io

Chinaccelerator 中國加速

Emerge Education

Entrepreneur First

The Mills Fabrica

FinTech Business Camp Tokyo

Fintech Innovation Lab Asia Pacific

Founder Institute Silicon Valley Accelerator H.Spectrum

Hax Accelerator

iiiNNO+ LaunchPad

INFINITI Accelerator

InnoSpace 國際創業集訓營

IeAD Sports 1 Accelerator

Lotte Accelerator

Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre Accelerator

Microsoft Ventures Accelerator Programme in Beijing

Nanjiquan 南極圈極創學院

Nintendo Switch + Tech Accelerator

OrangeFab Asia

Incubateur Paris-Duphine

Ping An Fin+Tech Accelerator 平安金融+科技加速器

Plug & Play Startup Acceleration Program

Plug and Play China

Quake Capital

ReadWrite Labs

Seedcamp

Sixthirty

SOW Asia - i2i Program

STARS Programme (By Hong Kong Startup Council)

Startupbootcamp Digital Health Chengdu

Startupbootcamp Scale San Francisco

Startup Xchange

StartX Accelerator Programme

SUP46

Taiwan Startup Stadium

Techstars

The Cage

The OCBC FinTech Accelerator

Y Combinator

Zeroth.ai

Admission & assessment criteria

Cyberport receives applications all-year-round. You are advised to submit application once being admitted to accelerator programmes.

HK$200,000

Overseas/Mainland Market Development Support Scheme - MDSS

Hong Kong Cyberport

Provide up to HK$200,000 financial subsidy for Cyberport graduates or alumni from CIP / CCMF to expand into overseas & mainland market

Introduction

To continuously support Cyberport community companies, the Overseas/Mainland Market Development Support Scheme (MDSS) is announced by Hong Kong Government to provide a financial subsidy for graduates of Cyberport Incubation Programme (CIP) and Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF) to develop Mainland and Overseas market.

Financial Aid

75% subsidy on market development items up to HK$200,000 within 2 years

Target companies

Graduates or alumni from CIP and CCMF, who have not raised equal to or more than US$10M funding.

Details

Eligible Activity

Overseas/Mainland delegation mission

Overseas/Mainland marketing exhibition

Local exhibition for overseas market expansion| Landing services for overseas expansion

Eligible Expense

Programme/Exhibition fee

Travel and accommodation expenses

Professional landing services expenses

HK$1,300,000

Researcher Programme

Innovation and Technology Fund

The fund subsidise 2 researchers for 36 months each, with maximum monthly allowance up to HK$21,000

Introduction

The Researcher Programme (formerly known as Internship Programme) aims to encourage university graduates to pursue a career in innovation and technology (“I&T”) and nurture more I&T talents.

Financial Aid

2 researchers x 36 months x up to HK$21,000 monthly allowance

including MPF expense

Total: HK$1,500,000

Target companies

Member of 1) Innovation and Technology Fund, or 2) Incubatees & Tenants of the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport), or 3) Investee Companies of the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund

Admission & assessment criteria

Applicant Company

Incubatees and I&T tenants2 of HKSTPC and Cyberport, with incubation/tenancy duration covering the proposed engagement period, are eligible to apply for funding to recruit researchers to assist in R&D projects in their companies. The applicant company should state in the application the scientific/engineering R&D element the project is to study and investigate andalso describe the project duties to be assigned to the researcher.

Researcher

To qualify for the RP-SPC, the researcher to be recruited must be legally permitted to work in Hong Kong; and should be a graduate3 with a Bachelor’s degree (including top-up Bachelor’s degree) or a Master’s degree awarded by a local university, or jointly awarded by a local university together with a non-local university. He/she should be a graduate in the relevant field of the research project to which he/she is to be recruited. The researcher should not be employed by the applicant company within the past three months preceding the date of application 4. The recruitment of researcher should go through an open process (e.g. to advertise the position via mass media, online platform, etc.) to ensure fairness. Moreover, the proprietor, partner or shareholder of the applicant company is not eligible to be employed as a researcher under the programme.

The applicant company and the researcher shall not be receiving other employment subsidies provided by any other local public funding for the subject engagement under application.

The applicant company should:

ensure that the researcher selection process is open, fair and without prejudice to any candidates;

ensure that the researcher is suitably guided by a supervisor, to whom the researcher can report or consult on a daily basis;

assign to the researcher relevant R&D duties (not secretarial or administrative duties) and with an appropriate level of workload which warrants a full-time engagement;

comply with the relevant legislative requirements concerning the employment of the researcher including the relevant entry/visa requirements for non-local graduates; and

provide a safe working environment and arrange a proper workplace for the researcher, including allocating a fixed office room/space with dedicated workstation(s).

HK$780,000

AWS Activate for Startups

Amazon Web Services

AWS provide up to HK$780,000 (US$100,000) in AWS promotional credits, support and training to eligible startups

Introduction

AWS has a Portfolio package designed for startups in participating accelerators, incubators, seed/VC funds, and other startup enabling organizations. The world’s hottest and most successful startups use AWS – including Airbnb, Lyft, and Slack.

Financial Aid

AWS promotional credit up to HK$780,000

Target companies

AWS Activate is a program designed to provide your startup with the resources you need to get started quickly and easily on AWS. Resources may include AWS Promotional Credit, AWS Support, AWS Training, and special offers from select third-party companies.

Any startup that works with select accelerators, incubators, Seed/VC Funds, or other startup-enabling organizations may apply for the Portfolio package.

Admission & assessment criteria

Applications are processed within 7-10 business days, but often times much faster. You will receive a welcome email once the AWS Promotional Credit has been applied to your account.

HK$780,000

Google Cloud for Startups

Google Cloud

GCP provide up to HK$780,000 (US$100,000) in GCP promotional credits, support and training to eligible startups

Introduction

Build your startup with the infrastructure and tools used by Google. The Google Cloud for Startups program is designed to grow with you. Your early-stage startup can take advantage of community events, training, and Cloud credits as you build and scale your business.

Financial Aid

GCP promotional credit up to HK$780,000

Target companies

This program is designed for early-stage startup companies that are focused on growth potential.

HK$390,000

Create@Alibaba Cloud

Alibaba Cloud

Alibaba Cloud provide up to HK$390,000 (US$50,000) in promotional credits, support and training to eligible startups

Introduction

Global program focused on accelerating business success for startups

Financial Aid

Up to HK$390,000 credit applicable for any product or service purchased on alibabacloud

Target companies

Is registered outside of Mainland China

Has been officially registered for no more than 5 years.

Has not yet been publicly listed.

Has an annual revenue of less than $500,000 USD.

Has a clear business model, innovative products and the potential to grow.

Has not participated in the Create@Alibaba Cloud program before

Has already joined an incubator/accelerator/co-working space and received angel investment.