Innovation and Technology CommissionActive

Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS)

Dollar-for-dollar support for in-house R&D by Hong Kong companies; it is not general operating capital.

Visit official websiteLast verified: 2026-08-25

Official facts

Quick Facts

Provider
Innovation and Technology Commission
Programme type
Grant
Target stage
Seed / Early growth
Maximum support
Up to HK$10 million per project
Duration
Normally up to 24 months
Matching required
1 government : 1 company
Equity required
No
Hong Kong company required
Yes
Company age limit
Not publicly specified
Team requirement
Not publicly specified
Application status
Active
Application model
Rolling

Editorial analysis

Who is it for?

This fit analysis is based on published eligibility and programme positioning. It is not an admission guarantee.

Companies with a defined technical risk, R&D work plan, budget and commercialisation path.

Founder profile
Founder teamExisting business ownerInternational founder
Stage fit
SeedEarly growth
Sector fit
AI / Machine LearningSaaSSoftwareDeep TechRoboticsHardwareFinTechGreenTechSemiconductorsNew MaterialsManufacturingLogisticsSupply Chain
These fit tags are our interpretation of published eligibility, not an official commitment.

Who is probably not a good fit?

Teams outside the published applicant, sector, stage or company conditions should not apply solely because of the headline support. Check the current guide and weigh administration, cash-flow and reporting costs.

Financial and operating support

Maximum support
Up to HK$10 million per project
Payment model
Reimbursement-based
Stackability
May pair with eligible R&D talent or cash-rebate support where each scheme permits and budgets remain separate.
Double funding and cash flow
ESS funds a defined R&D project and requires matching, records, reports and audits; the same cost cannot be funded twice.

Eligibility

Published requirements

  • Hong Kong company conducting in-house R&D
Practical recommendation

Before investing in an application, verify applicant entity, company age, team, IP, budget, matching cash and eligible costs. Ask the programme directly about anything not published.

Editorial analysis

Application process

Unless an official guide says otherwise, this is an application-preparation framework, not an official assessment sequence or timing promise.

  1. 1

    Read the latest programme page and guide

  2. 2

    Confirm applicant, stage and sector eligibility

  3. 3

    Prepare project, team, budget and supporting evidence

  4. 4

    Apply through the official channel and answer assessment requests

  5. 5

    After admission, follow the agreement for milestones, reporting and claims

Sources

Official Resource Library

We provide official links, versions and structured explanations only. Original documents are not rehosted.

This page provides a plain-language interpretation of official materials. The official source remains authoritative.

Official webpage

Enterprise Support Scheme official programme source

The provider's official programme page for checking current purpose, eligibility, support and application access.

Original language
English
Version
Not publicly specified
Published
Not publicly specified
Last verified
2026-08-25
View official document
Application guide

Enterprise Support Scheme Guide to Filling in the Application Form

Supplementary official material. Check the source document, version and latest programme notice before applying.

Original language
English
Version
December 2025
Published
2025-12-01
Last verified
2026-08-25
View official document