The Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) — the most popular government IT funding scheme in Hong Kong — ceased accepting applications in December 2024. The Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme (DTSPP) is fully subscribed and closed. If you are a Hong Kong SME looking for government subsidies to fund your technology projects, the landscape has fundamentally changed in 2026.
The good news: the government has not stopped funding technology adoption. It has shifted focus. The 2026 Budget explicitly targets AI adoption, market expansion, and smart manufacturing as funding priorities. The BUD Fund received a HK$200 million injection. A HK$3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme is operational. New pilot programmes for manufacturing upgrades and AI-specific digital transformation are being rolled out.
This guide is your complete map of what is available right now — every active scheme, how much you can get, who qualifies, and how to apply. We update this page as programmes change.
What's Closed: TVP and DTSPP Are Gone
| Programme | What It Covered | Status | Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) | Up to HK$600,000 (3:1 matching) for IT systems, software, hardware, consultancy | Closed Dec 2024 | BUD Fund (for overseas market projects); ITSP (for R&D) |
| Digital Transformation Support Pilot (DTSPP) | Up to HK$50,000 (1:1 matching) for basic digital solutions in F&B, retail, tourism | Fully subscribed, closed May 2025 | New round being planned with AI and cybersecurity focus (details TBC) |
| EMF (Export Marketing Fund) | Up to HK$1,000,000 for export marketing activities | Merging into BUD Fund by June 2026 | BUD Fund (consolidated) |
The closure of TVP is the biggest change. TVP was exceptionally popular because it had broad eligibility — any Hong Kong business could apply to fund IT system upgrades. Its closure means that general-purpose IT funding from the government is now largely unavailable. The remaining schemes are more targeted: market expansion (BUD), R&D (ITSP), AI specifically (AI Subsidy Scheme), or sector-specific programmes.
2026 Active Funding Schemes: Complete Comparison
Here is every active scheme relevant to technology projects, in one table. Scroll right on mobile for the full view.
| Scheme | Max Amount | Matching Ratio | Who Qualifies | Best For | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUD Fund | HK$7M cumulative | 50% | Non-listed HK enterprises | Overseas market expansion, branding, AI for cross-border | Active |
| Easy BUD | HK$150,000/project | 50% | Post-revenue HK SMEs | Quick market expansion projects, website/app for overseas | Active (fast-track) |
| AI Subsidy Scheme | 70% off AISC pricing | 70% subsidy | HK-registered enterprises, universities, R&D centres | AI model training, R&D requiring GPU computing power | Active |
| ITSP (under ITF) | HK$10M per project | 50% (platform) / 100% (seed) | Companies with R&D projects partnering HK institutions | Technology R&D, innovation projects | Active |
| Cyberport Incubation | HK$500K over 24 months | Grant | Digital tech startups | Early-stage tech startups (fintech, AI, blockchain) | Active |
| HKSTP Incubation | HK$1.29M | Grant | Tech startups (hardware, biotech, AI, greentech) | Deep tech startups needing lab space and mentorship | Active |
| Manufacturing Upgrade Pilot | HK$250K per enterprise | 1:2 matching | HK manufacturers | Production line upgrades, smart manufacturing | New in 2026 |
| HKTDC-Microsoft AI Programme | Free workshops + discounts | N/A | HKTDC T-box SMEs | AI adoption workshops, tool selection, implementation planning | Active |
Detailed Guide: Each Scheme Explained
BUD Fund (Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales)
Most RecommendedThe BUD Fund is now the most versatile and well-funded scheme available to Hong Kong SMEs. With HK$7.9 billion already approved across 12,800 applications and a fresh HK$200 million injection in the 2026 Budget, it is the de facto replacement for TVP — with a twist. BUD requires your project to focus on expanding business into overseas or mainland markets, not purely internal IT upgrades.
How to use BUD for technology: Build a multilingual website or mobile app targeting overseas customers. Develop an AI-powered customer service system for cross-border operations. Create an e-commerce platform for mainland China (via E-commerce Easy BUD). Implement a CRM that supports your overseas sales team. The key: frame your technology project as a tool for market expansion, not internal efficiency.
AI Subsidy Scheme (AISS)
New — HK$3 BillionThe headline programme of Hong Kong's AI push. The government allocated HK$3 billion for a three-year scheme that subsidises up to 70% of the cost of using Cyberport's AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC). The AISC was ramped up to 3,000 petaFLOPS of computing power in 2025 and has achieved nearly 80% utilisation, with projects from 20+ universities and enterprises already approved.
Who this is for: This is not a general SME scheme. It is aimed at organisations that need serious GPU computing power — training proprietary AI models, processing large datasets, running AI research. If you are building a custom LLM for your industry, training computer vision models, or doing AI-driven drug discovery, this is your scheme. If you just want to deploy an off-the-shelf chatbot, look at BUD Fund instead.
Cyberport Programmes
ActiveCyberport operates multiple programmes for digital tech startups. The Incubation Programme provides up to HK$500,000 over 24 months, plus office space, technical support, and access to investors. The Creative Micro Fund (CCMF) offers HK$100,000 grants for very early-stage ideas. The Accelerator Support Programme provides up to HK$300,000 for incubatees joining approved accelerators. For blockchain/Web3 projects, the dedicated subsidy scheme offers up to HK$500,000 per project covering 80% of costs.
HKSTP Programmes
ActiveHong Kong Science and Technology Parks offers a progression from idea to scale. The Ideation Programme provides HK$100,000 seed funding. The Incubation Programme covers up to HK$1.29 million for tech and business development. The LEAP Acceleration Programme provides up to HK$4.8 million for scaling. The Elite Programme offers up to HK$21.5 million for high-growth enterprises targeting global markets. HKSTP is particularly strong for hardware, biotech, AI, and greentech startups that benefit from lab space and physical infrastructure.
HKTDC-Microsoft AI Adoption Programme
FreeA practical, no-cost starting point. HKTDC partnered with Microsoft Hong Kong to offer three structured workshops: AI solutions for the modern workplace, intelligent data analysis, and automation with predictive analytics. The programme also offers AI solution packages at discounted rates for participating SMEs. It builds on the 2022 "Go Beyond Your Limits" programme and is designed for SMEs with no AI experience.
How to Maximise Your Chances of Approval
Government funding committees reject applications for predictable reasons. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Be specific about deliverables. "Implement an AI system" will be rejected. "Deploy an AI-powered WhatsApp customer service agent handling 500+ enquiries/month, integrated with Xero HK for order lookups, with bilingual support" gets approved.
- Quantify the business outcome. State the expected ROI: "Reduce customer response time from 4 hours to 30 seconds," "Save 20 staff-hours per week on data entry," "Increase overseas sales conversion by 15%."
- Match the scheme's objective. BUD Fund exists to help you expand into overseas/mainland markets — frame your project accordingly. Do not submit a purely internal IT project to BUD.
- Include a realistic timeline. Phased implementation plans with milestones are preferred. A 12-month project with quarterly milestones is more credible than "we'll build it all in 2 months."
- Get vendor quotes early. Most schemes require at least 2-3 vendor quotations. Having these ready before you start the application speeds up the process significantly.
- Don't double-dip. You cannot fund the same project scope from two government schemes. But you can use different schemes for different aspects of your business — BUD for market expansion, AI Subsidy Scheme for computing, ITSP for R&D.
Typical Application Timeline: From Planning to Disbursement
Week 1-2: Project Scoping
Define the project scope, deliverables, timeline, and budget. Identify which scheme(s) align with your project. Gather required company documents (BR, CR, financial statements).
Week 3-4: Vendor Selection & Quotes
Obtain 2-3 vendor quotations for the technology components. Select your preferred vendor. Finalise the project proposal with specific costs and milestones.
Week 5-6: Application Submission
Complete the online application form. Attach all supporting documents. Submit and receive confirmation number.
Week 7-14: Vetting & Approval
Committee reviews your application. You may be asked clarifying questions. Easy BUD: 4-6 weeks. Standard BUD: 2-3 months. ITSP: 3-6 months.
Week 15+: Project Execution & Claims
Execute your project according to the approved plan. Submit progress reports and expense claims. Most schemes disburse on a reimbursement basis — you pay first, then claim back the subsidised portion.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. TVP ceased accepting new applications after December 31, 2024. All applications received before the cut-off were processed in 2025. The programme is permanently closed. The BUD Fund and AI Subsidy Scheme are the primary active alternatives for technology projects.
For most SMEs: BUD Fund. It covers up to 50% of project costs with a cumulative cap of HK$7 million, and Easy BUD supports up to HK$150,000 with fast-track approval. Frame your AI project as enabling overseas market expansion. For companies needing GPU computing for model training: the AI Subsidy Scheme offers 70% off Cyberport's AI Supercomputing Centre. For free education: the HKTDC-Microsoft AI Adoption Programme offers structured workshops at no cost.
You cannot use two schemes to fund the same project scope. However, you can strategically use different schemes for different aspects: BUD for overseas expansion technology, AI Subsidy Scheme for computing resources, and ITSP for R&D. Careful project scoping with distinct deliverables and budgets is essential to avoid overlap.
Standard BUD applications: 2-3 months from submission to approval. Easy BUD (up to HK$150,000): 4-6 weeks with fast-track processing. The key to fast approval is a clear project proposal with specific deliverables, realistic timelines, and measurable business outcomes. Having vendor quotations ready when you apply speeds things up considerably.
No. Most schemes are designed for non-tech SMEs adopting technology. BUD Fund, DTSPP (new round), and the Manufacturing Upgrade Pilot specifically target traditional businesses upgrading through technology. You need to be a Hong Kong-registered business with substantive operations — but you do not need to be in the technology sector. A restaurant adopting AI for inventory management qualifies just as much as a software company.
Need Help Scoping a Fundable Project?
The difference between a funded project and a rejected application often comes down to how the project is scoped and presented. At Astera Technology, we help Hong Kong businesses design technology projects that align with funding scheme objectives — from defining deliverables and timelines to preparing vendor quotations and technical proposals.
Whether you need a custom software system, an AI agent, or a system integration project, we can help you structure it for maximum funding eligibility. Book a free consultation to discuss your project and funding options.