[Updated on 18 Aug2020] Official D-biz Funding Application forms & documents & procedures
Updates on the new measures on 18 Aug 2020.
The enhancements are as follows:
1. From 9am on August 31, enterprises may submit a second application in which the categories of the IT solutions must be different from the approved categories in the first application. They may submit a second application after they have replied to the Secretariat on the result of the first application. The assessment criteria of the Programme remain unchanged. Each enterprise may receive aggregate funding of up to $300,000;
2. The funding period for subscription-based IT solutions will be extended from six months to 12 months. This arrangement is also applicable to applications approved earlier;
3. The restriction that related entities being regarded as one single entity are not allowed to submit applications will be lifted; and
4. Social enterprises with certifications issued by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service for the Distance Business Programme will also be eligible.
Please always refer to the official announcement of the Secretariat’s website.
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The official Secretariat has announced the D-biz funding application procedures on 16 May 2020 Sat and please refer to the official guidance notes to prepare for your application: English | Chinese
Here is our quick recap after attending their announcement webinar about application.
- All applicants have to submit their application on their own via the Secretariat’s online portal only
- Application Period: Application is open from 9 am on 18 May 2020 to 6 pm 31 October 2020.
- Each applicant can submit ONLY ONE funding application, subject to a cap of HK$300,000 for each for enterprise and HK$100,000 for each IT solution. Approval of IT solution is considered seperately. Disapproval of one solution will not affect the other solutions per application.
- For applications involve the same supplier, only 10 applications will be processed per week. The rest will be processed in the subsequent weeks.
- For custom-built IT services solutions, subscription of the software to be covered is still 6-month. (Guidance note 7b)
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure proper completion of the project that supplier selection should be carefully considered (Guidance note 35). Various factors are to be considered not only price but also the capability and knowledge know-how of the supplier of the solution and understanding of your business’ needs.
- Two audited quotations of IT solutions services are to be provided if the requested funding exceeds HK$30,000(Guidance note 7e). The whole project is also required to be audited after successful completion for reimbursement purpose.
- After application is approved, the project scope and all related details cannot be amended. (Guidance note 36)
- Please prepare all necessary documents and submit in one go. Incomplete applications won’t be accepted.
Before submitting your online application, you are highly advised to go thru their application form sample to get familiar with the form and check if you have all documents ready.
Important Links:
Application Guidelines: Chinese | English
Application Form Sample: Chinese | English
Funding Application via Online only : Click here to the Secretariat’s portal
Please contact ONE Pacific consultants if you have any questions at +852 3110 4816 or +852 3460 5018 or leave us a message.
[Updated on 12 May] Official D-biz Funding Webinar for Applicants 16May/19May:
All you need to know about applying D-biz! Learn more about the eligibility, funding scope, application & reimbursement procedures from the Secretariat of Distance Business Programme!
[Completed] 16 May Sat 1100-1200 Cantonese Session Register here
19 May Tue 1030-1130 English Session Register here
Application starts on 18 May Monday on a first-come-first-served basis. Get your application document ready!
Our consultants are happy to discuss with you on your new project or start a new phase of the current system development from Cloud ERP to automation.
Give us a call at +852 34605018 or +852 3110 4816 or leave us a note here
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[Updated on 2 May] One Pacific has been supporting businesses to overcome business continuity challenges with our decade of experience in Cloud ERP system (financial system, CRM, invoicing system) consultation and implementation. We are pleased to share the latest funding updates on remote working and services from the HK SAR Government’s innovation initiative from our research.
According to the blogpost from the ex-Secretary for Innovation and Technology of the Hong Kong SAR Government Nicholas Yang Wei-hsiung dated 19 April, 2020.
” Under the second round of anti-epidemic and anti-epidemic funds, we will launch a six-month, “distance business plan” (D-Biz) with a total amount of HK$500 million, through express approval, to help companies use innovation and technology. “
Yang added that “the Hong Kong Productivity Council will act as the secretariat of the fund and adopt a quick approval method. After the application materials and required documents are available, the application results can be notified in about 10 working days. The funding will start accepting applications in May, and it is expected to benefit more than 3,000 companies, benefiting both the local innovation industry and various industries.”
We also researched the service scope under this funding and here is a summary of the eligible services from the internet. You may want to check the official portal for any updates.
D-biz Funding Scope (updated as on 2 May 2020):
| 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) |
Find out more about how your organisation can benefit from D-Biz Distance Business Programme by attending the official event.
There are limited information in English and you are mostly welcome to join our mailing list to get the latest information about the programme details. Please put “dbiz” on the subject line.
*Important note: This is not a promotional article but information gathered from the website. The funding application’s eligibility and approval process are at the discretion of the official bureau and/or its appointed secretariat. All applicants are to submit your application for your own businesses.