💰 Grant Advisory Service
Get funded.
We only win when you win.
Expert advisory for HKSTP, Cyberport CCMF, BUD Fund, and AISS — from eligibility check through submission. Fixed engagement fee, plus a success fee that aligns our interests with yours.
What's Included
Everything from eligibility to submission
One engagement covers the full application cycle — no hidden add-ons for drafts, revisions, or scheme updates.
Eligibility & scheme match
We assess your company profile, operational history, and technology stack against the requirements of every relevant scheme — and tell you honestly which ones to pursue.
Application strategy & narrative
Scheme committees read hundreds of applications. We structure your project scope, milestones, and commercial narrative to address the evaluation criteria reviewers actually score.
Full draft & revision rounds
We draft the application end-to-end — project description, budget justification, deliverables, KPIs — and iterate with you until submission-ready. Unlimited revision rounds within the engagement.
Document checklist & preparation
CR certificates, MPF records, audited accounts, company secretary letters — we give you a scheme-specific checklist and review every supporting document before it goes in.
Interview & pitch preparation
HKSTP and Cyberport typically require panel interviews. We run mock sessions, prepare likely questions, and coach your spokesperson — as many practice rounds as you need.
Submission & post-submission support
We co-ordinate formal submission, track acknowledgements, and handle any scheme-office clarification requests that arise after submission — until a decision is issued.
Funding Schemes
Four schemes. One advisory team.
Each scheme has different eligibility windows, quantum ranges, and committee priorities. We know the nuances of each.
HKSTP Incubation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation admission and incubation programmes — the flagship pathway for deep-tech and biotech companies seeking HK market access, lab space, and investor exposure.
- Approximately 745 new admissions per year
- Grants, subsidised lab/office space, and mentorship network
- Strong signal for HKEX and venture investors
- Competitive panel interview — preparation is critical
Cyberport CCMF
The Creative Micro Fund supports digital tech startups with grants of up to HK$100,000 — accessible, fast-moving, and a recognised stepping stone within the Cyberport community.
- Grant quantum: up to HK$100,000 (official scheme)
- Designed for early-stage digital and fintech companies
- Access to Cyberport community, co-working, and deal-flow events
- Application narrative and deliverables framing are the key differentiators
BUD Fund
The Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales supports companies expanding into new markets. Cumulative grant ceiling of HK$7,000,000 — the largest non-equity funding available to most HK SMEs.
- Eligibility requires ≥1 year operating + ≥6 months MPF records
- First tranche typically HK$500,000–2,000,000
- Project scope must tie to genuine market expansion activity
- Reporting obligations continue post-approval — we advise on scope design
AISS — AI Subsidy Scheme
The new AI Subsidy Scheme launched in 2025 is a blue-ocean opportunity. Few advisors specialise in AISS yet — companies that move early have a structural advantage before the field fills with generic applications.
- Targets companies adopting or developing AI in operations
- Scheme details still maturing — eligibility assessed individually
- Early positioning advantage for well-scoped AI projects
- Contact us to assess your AISS eligibility
BUD at Month 12
Every company formed via our 出海 Landing Pack automatically becomes BUD-eligible at the 12-month mark — meeting the mandatory operating history and MPF contribution requirements. We track this window for every client and flag it proactively.
Why the Success Fee Model
We charge a success fee because we mean it.
Grant advisory is easy to oversell. The success-fee structure forces us to be selective — and honest about your chances before you spend anything.
Fixed Fee
HK$15,000–30,000
Covers the full advisory engagement — eligibility assessment, strategy, drafting, document prep, interview coaching, and submission support. Scoped per scheme and company complexity at the start. No surprises mid-way.
Success Fee
8–12% of approved grant
Charged only on the grant quantum actually approved and received — per application. This means we focus effort on the schemes where your eligibility is genuine, not the ones with the tallest headlines. We do not advise applications we do not believe in.
Note: We cannot and do not guarantee grant approval. No advisor legitimately can — scheme committees make independent funding decisions. What we do: strengthen the quality, clarity, and strategy of your application significantly. The success fee reflects shared risk, not promised outcome.
Who It's For
Built for companies with real operations.
HK funding schemes reward substance — real staff, real decisions made in HK, real business activity. We work with companies that already have (or are building) this foundation.
Mainland China companies expanding into HK
You have set up a HK entity (or are doing so now via our 出海 Landing Pack) and want to access the funding landscape from year one.
Established HK SMEs
Your company has been operating in HK for at least a year and has MPF records — BUD Fund eligibility opens at this threshold and many SMEs don't know they qualify.
Deep-tech and AI startups
You have a technology product and want HKSTP incubation, lab access, or AISS support — and need an advisor who understands how to frame technical work for non-technical reviewers.
Digital product companies
Fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, or creative digital — Cyberport CCMF is designed for this segment. We help you frame your project clearly and distinguish your application from generic submissions.
Companies planning multiple rounds
BUD's HK$7,000,000 ceiling is cumulative across multiple tranches. Companies who plan their grant roadmap from the start — scope, timing, milestones — access far more than those who apply ad hoc.
Not for shell or nominee structures
We do not advise applications where HK substance is nominal. Every scheme conducts site visits and due diligence. Applications built on thin operations are rejected — and damage future eligibility.
Process & Timeline
From first call to submission — in six steps.
Most engagements run 4–10 weeks from kick-off to submission, depending on the scheme and document readiness. Complex applications (HKSTP, multi-tranche BUD) sit at the longer end.
Step 1 · Week 1
Eligibility assessment & scheme selection
We review your company profile, operating history, MPF records, technology, and business model against every applicable scheme. You receive a written eligibility memo — honest about which schemes are viable and why. No obligation to proceed.
Step 2 · Week 1–2
Engagement scoping & fee agreement
We agree the scheme(s) to target, the fixed fee for the engagement, and the success fee rate (8–12% depending on scheme complexity). Everything is in writing before we start.
Step 3 · Week 2–3
Project strategy & narrative design
We workshop the project scope, milestones, budget structure, and KPIs with you. This is the strategic layer — getting the story right before any drafting starts saves time and produces stronger applications.
Step 4 · Week 3–7
Application drafting & document assembly
Full application drafted, revised, and stress-tested. Supporting documents assembled against the scheme checklist. Budget justified line by line. You review and approve every section before anything is finalised.
Step 5 · Week 7–9
Interview preparation (where required)
For HKSTP and Cyberport, panel interviews are standard. We run multiple mock sessions — question sets drawn from our knowledge of each scheme's evaluation framework. Your team arrives prepared for the hard questions.
Step 6 · Week 8–10+
Submission & post-submission liaison
Formal submission co-ordinated. We handle all scheme-office queries until a decision is issued. On approval: success fee invoiced on actual grant quantum received. On rejection: we review the feedback and discuss whether to reapply in a future window.
Pricing
Simple. Transparent. Aligned.
Funding Sprint is priced per application. Run multiple applications in parallel and we'll scope each one separately.
Funding Sprint
HK$15,000–30,000
Fixed advisory fee per application
- Eligibility assessment memo
- Application strategy workshop
- Full draft + unlimited revisions
- Document checklist & review
- Interview prep (where applicable)
- Submission & post-submission support
- Scheme: HKSTP / Cyberport / BUD / AISS
Success-Aligned
Success Fee
8–12%
Of approved grant quantum — per application
- Charged only on approval + receipt
- 8% for straightforward schemes (CCMF)
- 10–12% for complex multi-stage schemes (HKSTP, BUD)
- Rate agreed upfront in writing
- No success fee if application is unsuccessful
- Aligns our effort with your outcome
Start with ForgeScan
HK$8,000–15,000
50% credited toward Funding Sprint
- Readiness diagnostic across all schemes
- Written eligibility report
- Recommended grant roadmap
- Gap analysis: missing docs / MPF history / substance
- 50% of ForgeScan fee credited to any larger package
- Best first step if you're unsure which scheme fits
Scoping note: The fixed fee range reflects scheme complexity and document readiness. A Cyberport CCMF application with all documents in order sits at the lower end. An HKSTP submission for a company with complex IP or overseas operations sits at the higher end. We scope in writing after the eligibility assessment — no surprises.
Built From Operator Experience
We advise the way we build — with substance.
CompanyForge is not a form-filling agency. We are operators who have built and run HK companies through the same schemes we advise on.
CareEZ — dysphagia screening
HK-registered company, HKSTP-adjacent, building clinical technology. We know what Science Park evaluators look for because we went through the process building CareEZ.
PierForge — cross-border trade
HK company with real cross-border operations — exactly the profile BUD Fund is designed for. PierForge is our live proof that the company-formation-to-BUD pipeline works.
Kangleling 康乐龄 — eldercare food
HK-registered operating company in the food and eldercare sector. Built with real MPF records, real directors, real substance — the foundation that makes grant applications credible.
Real substance matters.
Every scheme we advise on — HKSTP, BUD, Cyberport — conducts due diligence on operations. Applications from nominal companies with thin substance are rejected. We only work with companies building genuine HK operations, and we will tell you if your structure is not grant-ready yet.
FAQ
Common questions
If your question isn't here, email us directly.
Can you guarantee that my application will be approved?
No — and any advisor who claims otherwise is misleading you. Scheme committees make independent funding decisions. What we do: ensure your application is the strongest possible version of your case, with no avoidable gaps, no weak framing, and no eligibility surprises. The success fee reflects that we share the risk — we don't earn it unless you do.
How long does a typical application take?
Most engagements run 4–10 weeks from kick-off to submission. Cyberport CCMF can move faster if your documents are in order. HKSTP and multi-tranche BUD applications sit at the longer end — more complex projects, more iterative review. We set a realistic timeline at scoping.
My company was registered less than 12 months ago. Can I apply for BUD?
Not yet. BUD requires at least 1 year of operating history and at least 6 months of MPF contribution records — these are statutory requirements. However, we track this eligibility window for every client and flag it proactively when you reach the threshold. If you set up via our 出海 Landing Pack, BUD advisory is part of the ongoing engagement plan from month one.
Can I apply for multiple schemes at the same time?
Yes — different schemes have different eligibility criteria and do not conflict with each other in most cases. We scope each application separately so fees and timelines are clear per scheme. Running parallel applications is common for companies with strong eligibility across multiple programmes.
Do I need a HK company already set up?
For all four schemes, yes — you need a Hong Kong-registered company. If you don't have one yet, our HK Launchpad handles company formation, company secretary, registered address, and bank-account introduction. Or for the full entry package, see our 出海 Landing Pack.
What is AISS and should I apply?
The AI Subsidy Scheme launched in 2025 targets companies adopting or developing AI in their operations. It is still early and few advisors specialise in it — companies that move now have a positioning advantage before the scheme becomes heavily subscribed. We assess AISS eligibility as part of every Funding Sprint engagement. Contact us to find out if your AI use-case qualifies.
What if my application is rejected?
You pay only the fixed advisory fee — no success fee on an unsuccessful application. We review the scheme's feedback with you and assess whether to reapply in a future funding window, strengthen eligibility first, or target a different scheme. Rejection is not the end — many companies succeed on a second application with a better-scoped project.
Where is the success fee collected from?
The success fee is invoiced after the approved grant quantum has been received into your company's bank account — not on approval letter, but on actual receipt. The rate (8–12%) and the calculation basis are agreed in writing at engagement start.
Ready to apply? Start with a grant assessment.
Tell us about your company and we'll assess which schemes you're eligible for — in writing, at no obligation. Most assessments complete within 5 business days.
Book a grant assessmentNot sure if you're ready? Start with a ForgeScan — the readiness diagnostic that 50% credits toward this package.