Technology Voucher Programme TVP

The Innovation and Technology Commission launched the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) in Novemember, 2016. The goal of TVP is to help Hong Kong companies to apply technology to improve cometitveness, enhance services and transform the business process. Each eligible Hong Kong company can get HK$ 600,000 TVP funding at most and the ITC accepts applications throughout the year. Know more about BizMagnet TVP consultation service.

Key features of TVP funding

  • 3:1 matching basis (Government to Enterprise), grant ratio is 75%
  • Eligible companies can get HK$ 600,000 at maximum
  • A company can apply for 6 times at most
  • Commence the project after application submission

How to apply for the TVP?

BizMagnet provides professional TVP consultation service. This consists of 4 steps:

4 steps to apply the TVP Fund:

  1. TVP project planning

    BizMagnet will first assess the plan and the budget to make sure it is reasonable for the ITC.

  2. Standard procurement process

    TVP application requires written quotations aligned with the standard procurement process.

  3. TVP application proposal

    BizMagnet will prepare all required documents for the TVP application, including the proposal.

  4. Assist in response to ITC

    Once we submit the application, the ITC Office will inquire for further explanation.

Who can apply for the TVP funding?

Registered companies under “Business Registration Ordinance” (Chapter 310), or
Incorporated and registered companies under “Company Ordinance” (Chapter 622), or
Statutory bodies established in Hong Kong
And at the same time NOT a listed company nor accepting government subsidy, and with substantive business operation.

In usual, a general private company (unlimited or limited company) with substantive business is eligible for the TVP

How to prove the substantive business?

The authority requires the applicant to provide necessary evidences, such as MPF record, business contracts etc.

Can an unlimited company apply for the TVP?

As above, with substantive business operation, a Hong Kong unlimited company can also apply for the TVP.

How much can a TVP applicant enterprise get?

The TVP is a matching scheme with a 3:1 (Gov to Company) matching basis. (i.e. subsidy ratio 75%). An eligible company can get HK$ 600,000 at maximum and apply for 6 times.

What items does the TVP cover?

Technology systems with specific purpose to increase competitiveness, enhance services or transform business process. For example, enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relation management (CRM), or e-Commerce etc. General equipment or software such as computers, printers or office software suite is not under the TVP coverage.

When can we commence a TVP project?

From 1st June 2020, an applicant enterprise can commence a TVP project the following day after application submission. It should also provide the declaration and undertaking to the ITC within 5 working days.

What is the vetting requirement?

1) the relation between the proposed project and the business 2) a reasonable budget 3) Supplier without bad record
Relation between the project and the business: e.g. A POS system proposed by a back office is not reasonable
Reasonable budget: e.g. A 3-person company is hard to grant a human resource management (HRM) system. The ITC occasionally looks at the market trend to not approve over-budgeted projects.
Bad record: If a supplier cannot fulfil the requirement of a government project or has bid-rigging record, it is very hard to be a TVP supplier.

Can a technology company apply for the TVP?

Yes. However, according to the TVP application guideline, for the avoidance of potential conflict of interest, the owner, directors, shareholders or management member of a project supplier cannot be, at the same time, an owner, director, shareholder, management member or its relatives of the applicant company. The supplier cannot offer any loan to the applicant for the TVP project.

How to do the TVP procurement?

As the TVP fund is from the taxpayer, it should observe the “Standard procurement process“. i.e. 3 written quotations for projects $50,000 to $300,000; 5 written quotations for projects $300,000 to $1,400,000; and open tender for projects over $1,400,000.

Can I obtain multiple funding by setting up more than one company?

Originally, no. However, the restriction was relaxed on 14th Aug 2020. For details, please read TVP “related entities” restriction relaxed

Why do I need a TVP consultant?

An applicant can apply for the TVP by self, and also should consider to hire a TVP consultant. As an enterprise can maximally apply for 6 times, most cases are the first attempt in usual. An applicant has to go through the TVP application guideline to confirm the eligibility and to avoid mistakes. Relatively, a professional TVP consultant is much more experienced to proceed. This can help saving cost and time to achieve a successful application.

Reference: Official website – TVP, the Innovation Technology Commission

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