BUD Fund 2026: Matching Cash, Payments & Deadlines

Choose the route and check the ceiling

The overall ceiling is HK$7 million across up to 70 approved projects. General and E-commerce Easy applications can receive up to HK$800,000 each; Easy BUD permits up to HK$150,000 from 15 June 2026. The HK$1 million cumulative E-commerce Easy limit sits inside the overall HK$7 million cap.

Budget the enterprise share

The government-to-enterprise match is 1:3, meaning 25% government funding and 75% enterprise funding for eligible costs, subject to the grant and route conditions.

Illustration only: a HK$400,000 eligible project could support a HK$100,000 grant, leaving HK$300,000 to the enterprise. Ineligible spending, overruns and financing charges can add to the cash the business needs. This is planning arithmetic, not a grant approval.

Separate an initial payment from reimbursement

For qualifying General or E-commerce Easy applications with an initial payment, 20% of the approved grant is paid after the agreement. The remainder follows accepted completion reporting and audited accounts. Easy BUD has no initial payment.

In the illustrative HK$100,000 grant, a 20% initial payment is HK$20,000. It is not 20% of the HK$400,000 project. Draw a dated project cash schedule before committing to a supplier; a grant does not replace working capital.

Prepare the evidence before spending

Use the current official guide to check eligible activities, procurement, suppliers, timing and supporting records. Keep quotations, contracts, invoices, proof of payment, deliverables and the required project reports. Confirm approval and start-date rules rather than assuming earlier spending qualifies.

Check the batch and ongoing-project restrictions

The current General and E-commerce Easy batch closes on 31 December 2026 at 23:59 Hong Kong time. This is a batch cut-off, not a promised award or permanent programme closing date. Other limits apply to ongoing grants and the interval between applications; check the route before submitting.

Use official application support

The former SME Export Marketing Fund was consolidated into BUD on 1 July 2026. HKPC states that it has not appointed or endorsed fee-charging consultants for BUD applications. Any separate adviser engagement should name the work, fee trigger and responsibility for evidence.