The Hong Kong Government’s ” Anti-epidemic Fund” introduces a fund called “Distance Business Programme” (D-BIZ or DBP), with a max. of HK$100K per item and each company can get a total grant of HK$300K. This is to support innovation and digital transformation during COVID-19.

Application Period：18th May 2020- 31 October 2020
Scope for Subsidy：Online Store, POS, Online Ads, Remote Learning, Cloud-based Documentation, HR<, CRM, Virtual Team Management, Chatbot, Cybersecurity and more （Please click here for details）
Subsidy Amount： Max. of HK$300K for each company whereas HK$100K for each category（ Training allowance shall be no more than 10% of the IT solution/ subscription）
Subsidy Ratio：100% * ，Upfront 30％ to be banked to a dedicated bank account when it is approved.

The project shall be undertaken within 6 months.

Eligibility：

All private enterprises (excluding publicly listed companies, statutory bodies and non-government organisations funded by the Government) with a valid BR, ongoing business commenced before 1 January 2020 and with substantive business operation in the industry related to the project in the application at the time of application are eligible. (What is substantive business operation?)

OneStart offers consultancy, application appointment, assistance in proposal writeup and reporting. For details, the Government will announce it on 18th May 2020 while you can signup for the latest updates:
https://bit.ly/2x5VTgz

*Whether you can get reimburshed 100%, it depends on entry requirement fulfillment, company compliance, plan feasibility and the capability of the appointed supplier.

Funding Scope and Categories

1.

Online business

  • For the company to establish a web portal, mobile app or other online channels, with aims to promote its goods and services, by using either subscription-based or custom-built e-commerce platform, including development and management
  • Enable consumers to place orders over the Internet
  • promote such online portal through search engine promotion, digital advertisement such as social media promotion, e-coupon, loyalty programme, etc.
  • Excluding production of promotion materials, contents or assets (e.g. image, text and video etc. as part of the marketing and promotion materials)
2.

Online order taking and delivery, and smart self-service systems

  • For the company to establish a web portal, mobile app or other online channels, for consumers to place orders of goods or services, by using either subscription-based or custom-built e-commerce platform, including development and management
  • Such adoption of technologies should enable the company to perform end-to-end order placement and delivery to designated locations, by using e.g. smart self-servicing system, smart kiosk, smart vending machine, smart lockers, or with integration to e-logistics provider platform
  • Suitable but not limited to industries that are acquiring or promoting self-services, such as takeaway services in Food & Beverages industries
  • Promote such online portal through search engine promotion, digital advertisement such as social media promotion, e-coupon, loyalty programme, etc.
  • Excluding production of promotion materials, contents or assets (e.g. image, text and video etc. as part of the marketing and promotion materials)
3.

Online customer services and engagement

  • For the company to enable order placements of services to take place over the Internet, such as reservations, appointment bookings, including development and management
  • Such adoption of technologies can also include distance learning facilities
  • Promote such online portal through search engine promotion, digital advertisement such as social media promotion, e-coupon, loyalty programme, etc.
  • Excluding production of promotion materials, contents or assets (e.g. image, text and video etc. as part of the marketing and promotion materials)
4.Digital customer experience enhancement
For the company to improve customer service experience and engagement with use of various technologies, including but not limited to the following:
  • Round-the-clock customer service support via Chatbot
  • Uplift product or service experience with use of Augmented Reality (AR) / Virtual Reality (VR) or Mixed Reality (MR) technologies or Digital Twin technology
  • Apply analytics to improve customer experience such as purchasing data
5.

Digital payment / mobile point of sale

  • Enable online / physical stores with multiple digital payment channels, e.g. payment gateway or mobile Point-of-Sales (POS)
  • Including one-time setup and associated hardware / equipment
  • Excluding the handling fee or equivalent of each payment transaction
6.Online / cloud-based financial management systems
Adopt computerised system to manage the financial related processes of the company, including but not limited to:
  • Invoicing and bill collection, accounting and budget planning, asset and liabilities management, regulatory compliance, reporting
  • System could be cloud-based or accessible remotely by staff with appropriate cybersecurity protections
7.Online / cloud-based human resources management systems
Adopt computerised system to manage the human resources related processes of the company, including but not limited to:
  • Payroll and expense reimbursement, attendance and leave records, training, reporting
  • System could be cloud-based or accessible remotely by staff with appropriate cybersecurity protections
8.

Remote document management, cloud storage and remote access services

  • Digitise hard copy document into electronic format and store on cloud storage
  • Enable staff to access the company information, data and system remotely with solutions such as remote desktop control, Virtual Private Network (VPN), Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
9.Virtual meeting and conference tools
Adopt tools to allow groups of people to collaborate or meet virtually through the Internet with the following functions but not limited to:
  • Support both audio and video communication, content sharing, manage appointments and registrations, meeting recordings, online polling and Q&A
10.Virtual team management and communications
Adopt tools to allow groups of people to collaborate or communicate virtually through the Internet with the following functions but not limited to:
  • Instant messaging, video and voice calls, document sharing and co-authoring / concurrent editing, task assignment, progress monitoring and collaborative product development
11.

Cybersecurity solutions

  • Improve the cybersecurity of the companies by implementing software, hardware or services to defend against cyber attacks
  • Solution examples include but not limited to data encryption, firewall, anti-virus / malware solutions
12.

Other online / custom-built / cloud-based business support systems

  • Other solutions, either off-the-shelf or custom-built, that support the programme objectives of enabling enterprises to conduct and continue business remotely but do not fit into the above categories
  • Solution examples include but not limited to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), e-application form and approval workflow, Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

The detailed information of application and the list of approved suppliers will be annouced early May 2020.
Please stay tuned.

For enquiries, please call 35756888 or launch a conversation via WhatsApp here.