Can Hong Kong SMEs Use Government Funding for AI Employees? AI Subsidy Scheme, TVP, BUD and DTSPP Explained (2026-27)

Can Hong Kong SMEs Use Government Funding for AI Employees? AI Subsidy Scheme, TVP, BUD and DTSPP Explained (2026-27)

Can a Hong Kong AI subsidy scheme for SMEs pay for an AI employee? It depends on which scheme and on whether you are buying a one-off project or a monthly service. Hong Kong's four AI-related schemes are designed for different things: some fund computing power, some fund systems, some fund ready-made solutions. If you are an SME owner asking "is there government money to help me use AI", this article goes through each one: what it funds, the ratio, how to apply, and whether a monthly service qualifies.

Short answer: In 2026-27 Hong Kong SMEs can consider four government schemes for AI adoption: the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP, up to 75% funding, HKD 600,000 cumulative cap), the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme (F&B, retail, tourism, personal services, 1:1 matching up to HKD 50,000), the BUD Fund, and the AI Subsidy Scheme, which mainly funds computing power. Whether a monthly AI service qualifies depends on each scheme's terms; Aldone A at HKD 1,000 a month is below most funding thresholds, while AAA custom projects can be structured to fit an application.

Important: Funding ratios, caps and eligibility in this article reflect each scheme's official website as of October 2026. Terms change; check the official pages or contact the scheme secretariat before applying. Nothing here guarantees approval.

TL;DR

• AI Subsidy Scheme (HKD 3 billion plus HKD 1 billion added in the 2026 Policy Address): mainly funds computing power at the Cyberport AI Supercomputing Centre for research. Aimed at universities, R&D institutions and companies with AI research projects, not SMEs buying AI customer service.
• Technology Voucher Programme (TVP): up to 75% funding, HKD 600,000 cumulative cap per company, suited to one-off technology projects; subscription fees are generally counted only within the project period, check the guide.
• Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme (DTSPP): F&B, retail, tourism and personal services, 1:1 matching up to HKD 50,000, for ready-made solutions on an approved list.
• BUD Fund: brand upgrading, transformation and expansion into the Mainland and overseas; automation can be part of a project.
• Aldone A and AA monthly fees are below the admin cost of applying; AAA custom projects are where funding becomes worth pursuing.

Which of the four schemes suits an SME?

Sources: smelink.gov.hk, ITC Technology Voucher Programme, DTSPP.

What does the AI Subsidy Scheme fund, and can SMEs use it?

Many people see "AI Subsidy Scheme" and assume it subsidises SMEs buying AI. It does not. The scheme was funded with HKD 3 billion in the 2024-25 Budget over three years, with another HKD 1 billion added in the 2026 Policy Address. It funds eligible users' access to computing power at the Cyberport AI Supercomputing Centre, generally up to 70% of the list price. Recipients are local universities, R&D institutions, government departments and companies with AI research projects. By mid-2026 it had approved over 30 research projects in areas such as large language models, new materials and biomedicine.

In other words: if you want to train your own AI model, this scheme is for you. If you want an AI employee answering WhatsApp, it is not designed for you.

Technology Voucher Programme: does a monthly AI service qualify?

TVP is the scheme SMEs know best: 3:1 matching, government funds up to 75%, HKD 600,000 cumulative cap per company, up to 6 approved projects. It covers "technology services and solutions" that improve productivity or upgrade business processes.

On monthly services, note:

• TVP funds projects with a start and end date, generally completed within 12 months.
• Subscription or monthly fees are typically counted only within the project period, and must be shown to be an integral part of the project.
• Pure rental of an off-the-shelf service (no deployment, no customisation) is harder to approve; projects with system integration, process design and training fare better.
• Approval takes several months, and the applicant must contribute at least a quarter of the cost in cash.

For Aldone clients: A (HKD 1,000 a month) and AA (HKD 6,000 a month) are monthly services, and the admin cost and time of a TVP application usually exceeds the funding. AAA custom projects, with process diagnosis, an AI employee blueprint and system integration, are the form that fits TVP better.

Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme: how do F&B and retail use HKD 50,000?

DTSPP is the most practical scheme for small shops in 2026: the Legislative Council allocated HKD 500 million, with 1:1 matching up to HKD 50,000 per eligible SME to adopt ready-made digital solutions from an approved list, in categories such as e-payment, online stores, customer management and promotion, and digital operations.

Eligibility: F&B, retail (excluding F&B), tourism or personal services; valid business registration; substantive business in Hong Kong. The applicant pays at least half the solution cost.

The key limit: only solutions on the approved list, managed by Cyberport. Aldone's AI employee service is not on the list as of October 2026. If your shop has already used DTSPP for a POS or membership system, the AI employee works alongside them, but the monthly fee is yours.

BUD Fund: how can automation fit into a project?

The BUD Fund supports Hong Kong companies in brand upgrading, business transformation and expansion into the Mainland and overseas markets. Ratios and caps are assessed per project, with cumulative caps in the millions.

AI automation is not BUD's theme, but it can be a component: a "Southeast Asia expansion" project that includes multilingual WhatsApp customer service automation and follow-up process redesign could be included. These projects are usually prepared with a consultant and take longer to approve.

For the baseline cost comparison, start with AI Employee vs Hiring: The Real Cost of a Full-Timer in Hong Kong.

What does the application process and timeline look like?

A typical TVP flow (DTSPP and BUD have their own platforms and steps):

1. Confirm eligibility: Hong Kong-registered, non-listed, substantive business.
2. Select vendors and get quotes: as many as the guide requires.
3. Submit online: project plan, budget, expected outcomes.
4. Wait for assessment: several months.
5. Sign the funding agreement: first instalment can be requested.
6. Deliver the project: as planned, keeping receipts.
7. Submit the completion report: balance released after audit.

From application to full disbursement, the whole cycle can run 9 to 12 months. That is why we say: for a HKD 1,000 a month service, starting directly is faster than applying.

Do Aldone A and AA need funding? How does AAA fit?

Plainly:

• A at HKD 1,000 a month, AA at HKD 6,000 a month: HKD 0 setup, monthly billing, start the day you hire. The paperwork and waiting cost more than the funding. We recommend starting directly.
• AAA custom projects: process diagnosis, AI employee blueprint, payback model, system integration and a fixed quote, with a defined start and end, which matches the project form TVP or BUD expect. The Aldone team can supply a project description and quotation documents to support your application, without guaranteeing approval.

Read The AI Employee Org Chart: How to Design an AI Team for Your Company or see AAA at Aldone pricing.

FAQ

Can an SME apply to the Hong Kong AI Subsidy Scheme to buy AI customer service?

No. The AI Subsidy Scheme mainly funds computing power for AI research at the Cyberport AI Supercomputing Centre. For buying AI solutions, look at TVP, DTSPP or BUD.

How long does a TVP application for an AI project take?

Several months from submission to approval, then a completion report before the balance is released. The full cycle is often 9 to 12 months.

Is there any SME AI subsidy that needs no application?

No. All schemes require application and assessment. The fastest is DTSPP for ready-made listed solutions, but only for F&B, retail, tourism and personal services.

Will TVP approve a monthly AI service?

Generally only fees within the project period, and only if integral to the project. Pure rental of an off-the-shelf service is harder to approve. See the ITC application guide.

Can Aldone help me apply for funding?

Aldone is not a funding consultant. For AAA projects we provide a project description and quotation documents to support your application, but the application is yours or your consultant's, and approval is not guaranteed.

Why wait for funding when you can start at HKD 1,000?

The time it takes to apply for a Hong Kong AI subsidy scheme is long enough to run Aldone A for a full year. See the three plans at Aldone pricing; if your project is large enough to pair with a funding application, WhatsApp us about AAA.