Grants, loan guarantees and advisory services are distinct forms of support. Describe the business, project, market, budget and timing before looking for a scheme. This guide links current enquiry routes and the 2026 fund consolidation so you can avoid expired forms and sales promises of guaranteed approval.
What to have ready
Check the scheme's current application status
TID announced consolidation of the Export Marketing Fund into BUD from 1 July 2026. Follow existing-application notices for the former fund rather than treating it as an open route for a new project. TID states that BUD enhancements took effect on 15 June 2026, including an Easy BUD per-application ceiling of HK$150,000 and targeted support for AI elements. These describe programme limits and arrangements, not an automatic payment entitlement for each business. Consult the current applicant guide before deciding a project is covered.
Describe the target market, activity and technology to SUCCESS or the relevant SME support route, then verify enterprise eligibility, substantive Hong Kong operation, project markets and eligible expenditure. For loan guarantees, check whether the current product accepts applications, bank assessment and repayment obligations; a government guarantee does not remove the borrower's debt. Treat old news about limits or deadlines as a lead to investigate, using the current official page and guide to resolve the actual arrangement.
Prepare a project that can be assessed
For example, a bilingual website and improved order workflow can be described by current situation, objective, deliverables, quotations, timing and operations in Hong Kong and the target market. Ask which components qualify, when expenditure may start, quotation requirements, related suppliers and evidence. Paying the full amount before checking can affect eligibility. An adviser's suggestion to explore a scheme is distinct from approval. Retain the response and prepare the application against the guide, with unsupported assumptions clearly marked for clarification.
After approval, follow completion, payment-evidence, deliverable, reporting and verification requirements. Plan cash flow the business can sustain rather than assuming money arrives immediately after a form is submitted. Clarify an agent's fee and authority and retain your own access to the original application. Pause to verify guaranteed-approval claims, payment-to-unlock demands or requests for fabricated invoices. Funding applications should describe real projects and transactions, with the business able to explain the evidence to the administering body.
Assess a real project against current guidance, distinguishing grants, borrowing and advice.
Official information and enquiries
These are the reference and service entry points for this guide. Check current fees, eligibility, and schedules with the authority. The preparation date is not each source's official update date.