Government Funding for Websites in Hong Kong: What is Available?
Web Design
3
min read
If you're a Hong Kong SME planning a new website, an e-commerce store, or a digital upgrade, you may be able to recover a significant share of the cost through government funding.
Several schemes exist. They don't all cover the same things, the eligibility rules differ sharply, and the most common reason applications fail is that businesses apply to the wrong one.
This guide explains which schemes exist, what each realistically covers, and how to prepare an application that gets approved.
Last verified: 5th August 2026. Government schemes change. Always confirm current terms with the administering body before applying — links to each are provided below.
1. The BUD Fund
The Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) supports Hong Kong enterprises in developing their brand, upgrading operations, and promoting sales in specific markets.
What it can cover: Website design and development, mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, and digital marketing.
The critical eligibility point: BUD is tied to market expansion. Your project needs to relate to developing business in Mainland China or an economy covered by an FTA or IPPA with Hong Kong.
In practice, this means a bilingual website aimed at mainland customers, with Mainland-appropriate payment integration and a documented market entry plan, is a far stronger fit than a general local website refresh.
Apply: bud.hkpc.org
2. SME ReachOut
SME ReachOut is a free advisory service, not a funding scheme. The team helps Hong Kong businesses identify which government schemes they're eligible for and how to prepare an application.
If you're unsure where to start, this is genuinely the most efficient first step — a short consultation can save you weeks of applying to the wrong programme.
Contact: smereachout.hkpc.org
4. Biz Expands Easy (BEE)
BEE is an online portal consolidating multiple government funding schemes in one place, making it easier to compare options without visiting each scheme's site separately.
Which scheme fits your project?
Expanding into Mainland China or an FTA market → BUD Fund
Not sure → SME ReachOut, then apply
Want to browse everything first → BEE
What funding typically covers — and what it usually doesn't
Most schemes fund project-based work with clear deliverables. Ongoing operational costs are usually excluded.
Commonly eligible:
Website design and development
E-commerce platform build and payment integration
Mobile application development
Digital marketing campaigns tied to the project
Systems integration and automation
Commonly excluded:
General staff salaries
Work started or paid for before approval
Routine maintenance
⚠️ The most expensive mistake: most schemes will not reimburse costs incurred before your application is approved. Do not sign a development contract or pay a deposit until you have written approval. This single rule disqualifies more applications than any other.
How to prepare an application that gets approved
1. Define the project, not just the deliverable. "We need a new website" is weak. "We are entering the Guangdong market and need a bilingual e-commerce site with mainland payment integration, targeting X% of revenue from that market within 18 months" is fundable. Assessors are funding a business outcome.
2. Get a properly itemised quotation. A single line reading "Website — HK$180,000" invites rejection. You need costs broken out by component: discovery, UX/UI design, development, CMS build, integrations, testing, training. Every scheme we've worked with expects this level of detail.
3. Check vendor requirements. Some schemes require vendors to meet specific criteria or be registered. Confirm this before selecting your agency.
4. Build the timeline around approval. Applications take time to assess. Plan your launch date backwards from approval, not from today.
5. Keep every document. Quotations, contracts, invoices, payment records, and deliverable evidence. Reimbursement depends on documentation, and requests for it can come months after completion.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get government funding for a website in Hong Kong?
Possibly. Several schemes cover website and e-commerce development, though each has specific eligibility rules — particularly around which markets you're targeting and whether the work qualifies as technology adoption or market expansion.
How much funding can I receive?
Caps and matching ratios vary by scheme. [Insert verified figures.] Most schemes operate on a matching basis, meaning you fund a portion of the project yourself.
Do I need to pay for the website first?
Generally you must not incur costs before approval, and reimbursement typically follows completion and verification. Confirm the exact payment mechanism for your chosen scheme.
Can I apply for more than one scheme?
Rules on combining schemes vary, and double-funding the same expenditure is normally prohibited. Check with SME ReachOut before applying to multiple programmes.
Do I need a consultant to apply?
No. SME ReachOut provides free guidance, and applications can be submitted directly. Be cautious of intermediaries charging high fees or guaranteeing approval — no one can guarantee an outcome.
Planning a funded website project?
We work with Hong Kong businesses on web design, e-commerce development, and WordPress development — including projects supported by government funding.
We can provide the itemised quotation and project scope most schemes require, structured so assessors can see clearly what's being delivered and why.
We're a web design agency, not funding consultants: we don't submit applications on your behalf or advise on eligibility. For that, SME ReachOut is free and better placed to help.
Book a free consultation, and we'll help you scope a project that's ready to apply.
