Support for SMEs

To provide funding support on a 1:1 matching basis to SMEs in adopting pre-assessed off-the-shelf, readily available digital solutions in targeted solution categories to expedite the pace of digital transformation of SMEs.

Funding Scope

• The Programme provides funding support to SMEs for adopting the pre-assessed solution packages listed in the Solution List.
• The purchase, rental or subscription of equipment, hardware, software and any other assets is allowed if they form an essential part of the solution package, and are subject to the following rules: 
  • the title and interest in new equipment, hardware, software and any other assets purchased with funds under the Programme shall vest with the applicant;
  • all items purchased, procured or leased with funds under the Programme shall be licensed products and shall not infringe any third-party intellectual property rights; and
  • the risk in using the equipment, hardware, software and any other assets will be borne by and remained with the applicant.
• The solution of an approved application shall be deployed and ready for the applicant's use within 9 months upon the approval of the application.  For subscription-based solutions, funding support up to two years of the subscription period is allowed.

Funding Amount

• Funding support of up to HKD50,000 for each eligible applicant will be provided on a 1:1 matching basis for the cost of the adopted solution listed in the Solution List.  The applicant must contribute to at least half of the total cost of the adopted solution.
• Contribution by the applicant in kind or any non-cash consideration will not be accepted.
• Items under an approved application (including, without limitation, those contributed by the applicant or the Programme) shall not receive funding support from other local public funding sources.

SMEs applying for funding must belong to the Food and Beverage (F&B) or retail industries (excluding F&B), and must be registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) with substantive business operation in Hong Kong.  They must not be listed companies, statutory bodies or non-governmental organisations subvented by public funding.

• The Programme will be open for applications by applicants in batches, with each batch specific to one of the Target Industry Sectors.
• The schedule and the available digital solution categories of each application batch can be found at https://dtspp.cyberport.hk/batches.
• Before submitting their applications, applicants shall first register a funding applicant account at the Programme’s website. Applicants can then identify the solution they wish to adopt in the Solution List and approach the solution provider directly to understand the functionality of the solution and ascertain whether the solution meet their requirements.  An applicant shall click the "Enquire" button in the solution details webpage to obtain the confirmation of the solution provider that it can offer the solution package to the applicant.  After receiving the confirmation from the solution provider, the applicant can proceed to complete the online application form.
• Applicants shall submit their applications through the Programme's website described above.  Submissions by other means, including, but not limited to, email or post, will not be accepted.