Under the Anti-Epidemic Fund, the Hong Kong Government has launched the Distance Business (D-Biz) Programme worth $500 Million Hong Kong Dollars to support enterprises to continue their business and services through the adoption of IT solutions.
Details:
- The D-Biz Programme will provide 100% funding support to qualified enterprises, subject to a cap of HK$100,000 per IT solution (related training expenses to be capped at 10% of solution cost)
- HK$300,000 per enterprise
- Fast track approval method with application result within 10 working days
- Initial payment of 30% of the approved funding amount is payable to a designated bank account after the application has been approved
- From 9am on August 31, enterprises may submit a second application in which the categories of the IT solutions must be different from the approved categories in the first application. They may submit a second application after they have replied to the Secretariat on the result of the first application. The assessment criteria of the Programme remain unchanged. Each enterprise may receive aggregate funding of up to $300,000
- The funding period for subscription-based IT solutions will be extended from six months to 12 months. This arrangement is also applicable to applications approved earlier
Eligibility:
-
All private enterprises (except listed companies, statutory bodies and NGOs funded by the Government) are eligible to apply if the enterprise is:
(a)(i) Registered under Hong Kong Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310); or
(a)(ii) Registered under Hong Kong Company Ordinance (Cap 622); and
(b) not a subsidiary of statutory bodies and NGOs funded by the Government
- With valid Hong Kong Business Registration
- Business in operation on or before 1st Jan 2020
- Has actual business operation of related business(es) when submit application
- The restriction that related entities being regarded as one single entity are not allowed to submit applications will be lifted
- Social enterprises with certifications issued by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service for the Distance Business Programme will also be eligible
Examples of D-Biz Funding scope:
- Online business
- Online order taking & delivery, smart self-service system (such as online food ordering & delivery solution, smart lockers, smart kiosk, smart vending machine, etc.)
- Online customer services & engagement (such as online ticketing, online booking system, CRM , virtual service delivery, online medical consultation etc.)
- Digital customer experience enhancement (such as Chatbot, AI, AR / VR, Customer Analytics, etc.)
- Digital marketing / Digital payment / mobile POS
- Online / cloud based Financial management system (such as electronic invoicing system)
- Online / cloud based Human resources management system (such as electronic payroll system, employee self-service portal, talent management, online training system, online & location based attendance / clocking monitoring and reporting, employee leave management, employee reimbursement handling system, etc.)
- Remote document management and cloud storage (such as shared drive) and remote access services (such as remote desktop control, Virtual Private Network, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure)
- Virtual meeting & conference tool
- Virtual team management & communications (such as collaboration tool, instant messaging platform, etc.)
- Cybersecurity solutions (such as firewall, anti-virus / malware solution, etc.)
- Other Online / cloud based business support system (such as ERP, e-application form and approval workflow, robotic process automation, etc.)
Application period:
From 18
th May till 31
st Oct 2020
If you wish to learn more about the D-Biz Scheme, please fill in below form. We will be in contact with you shortly.
Q&A:
1. Can I apply this fund if I decided to open a store in Taobao?
Ans: Yes, any monthly fee based or self-develop online shop can also apply.
2. Does the funding support hardware purchase?
Ans: Yes, the fund is determined on an IT solution basis which includes hardware. For example, a takeaway shop can apply the fund to purchase hardware to support related software or programs.
3. If I already has IG or Facebook page, can I still apply this fund?
Ans: Yes, as long as the plan will enable your shop to provide more services. For example: chatbots, AR and VR applications.
4. Can I apply this fund to open a new business?
Ans: No, only existing business is eligible for this fund.
5. My company has received the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), can I still apply for D-biz?
Ans: Yes, but the submitted plan should be different to the one applied for the ITF.
6. If I own an oversea e-business, can I apply for D-biz?
Ans: Probably, but it will depend on the application details.
7. Is the fund 100% reimbursable?
Ans: Yes, but the applicant must pay upfront.
8. Any priority for specific types of business?
Ans: No, you only require an HKBR to apply for D-biz.
9. Can I apply 3 IT solutions simultaneously for the D-Biz fund?
Ans: Yes, a proposal can contain 3 IT solutions. Each IT solution can apply for a maximum of HK$100,000, and each enterprise can apply for a total of maximum $300,000.
10. Can self-employed business apply for D-Biz fund?
Ans: Each applicant must hold an HKBR in order to apply for D-biz fund.