BUD Fund for websites and online shops: what's covered in 2026
Yes, the BUD Fund can pay for a new or improved company website, an online shop or an app, but only when it's for developing sales outside Hong Kong (the Chinese Mainland or one of 47 other economies), and the Government covers at most 25% of the approved cost (1:3 matching since 15 June 2026). Easy BUD funds up to HK$150,000 per application; E-commerce Easy and General Applications up to HK$800,000 per project.
By Abhinav Saxena · Rules checked against the 06/2026 guides on
- Government share
- Up to 25% (1:3)
- Easy BUD ceiling
- HK$150,000
- Per enterprise
- HK$7,000,000
4 in 1
house site, bookstore, research platform and publishing division on one platform
What is the BUD Fund?
The Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) is a Hong Kong Government fund, run by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), that helps Hong Kong enterprises build brands, upgrade their business and promote sales in markets outside Hong Kong. Since 15 June 2026 it covers the Chinese Mainland and 47 other economies, including the ten ASEAN countries, Japan, Korea, Australia, the UK, Canada, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Can the BUD Fund pay for a website?
Yes, within each track's scope, as long as the website is for developing sales in the target market:
- Easy BUD: developing or enhancing your company website for sales in the target market (enhancing an existing site is capped at HK$100,000 per application), setting up an online sales platform, and developing or enhancing apps
- E-commerce Easy (Mainland and ASEAN only): an online sales platform, a new or improved company website (e.g. adding online payments or an AI chatbot), apps, promotional videos and photos
- General Application: website and e-commerce work as part of a wider branding, upgrading or sales project (website enhancement capped at HK$100,000 per application)
How much does the Government pay?
Under the current guides (version 06/2026), all three tracks use a 1 (Government) : 3 (enterprise) ratio: the Government pays at most 25% of the approved cost and your company pays at least 75% in cash. Many older articles still say 1:1; that was the earlier rule.
Limits: HK$150,000 per Easy BUD application; HK$800,000 per E-commerce Easy or General project (E-commerce Easy has a HK$1,000,000 cumulative cap); HK$7,000,000 per enterprise across the fund, up to 70 projects, and no more than HK$800,000 of approved funding outstanding at any one time.
Who can apply?
Non-listed enterprises registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance with substantive business operations in Hong Kong, in any sector. For Easy BUD you prove this with your latest audited accounts plus MPF records or sales invoices. E-commerce Easy applicants should already have a holistic business plan for the Mainland or ASEAN markets.
How is the money paid, and how long does it take?
Easy BUD has no initial payment: you pay for the project, and the Government reimburses its share after the final report and audited accounts are accepted. Results come within 30 clear working days of a complete application, and the project must finish within 12 months. One Easy BUD application is allowed every three months.
General and E-commerce Easy applications are processed in quarterly batches (the current batch closes on 31 December 2026), with results within 60 clear working days after the cut-off. You can opt for a 20% initial payment, and projects can run up to 24 months.
Quotations: what the rules require
Every purchase must follow the fund's procurement rules: purchases over HK$5,000 and up to HK$50,000 need written quotations from at least two suppliers, and over HK$50,000 up to HK$300,000 from at least three, and you must accept the lowest conforming quotation. The quotation invitation must include probity, anti-collusion and anti-bid-rigging clauses (templates are in the guides).
That's where a supplier matters: a fixed, itemised written quotation that matches the scope exactly. Kodinav provides that and builds the project; we don't prepare applications. HKPC states it has appointed no consultants and expects applicants to prepare their own applications.
Is it worth applying for a small website?
Do the maths first. A new bilingual website from this studio costs about HK$7,000 – 15,000; at 25% the fund would cover a few thousand dollars, while the project still needs a final audit (Easy BUD audit fee capped at HK$5,000, itself funded at 1:3) and reports. The fund pays off better for larger market-entry projects: an online shop or a site for the Mainland or ASEAN, combined with advertising, exhibitions or promotional materials in the same application.
The three tracks at a glance
| Track | Funding | Key rules |
|---|---|---|
| Easy BUD | Up to HK$150,000; 25% (1:3) | Year-round; result in 30 working days; reimbursed after completion; 12 months |
| E-commerce Easy | Up to HK$800,000 per project; 25% (1:3) | Mainland and ASEAN only; quarterly batches; up to 24 months |
| General Application | Up to HK$800,000 per project; 25% (1:3) | Any BUD measure; quarterly batches; optional 20% initial payment |
From the official Guides to Application, version 06/2026. Rules change: check bud.hkpc.org or call the BUD Fund Implementer on (852) 2788 6088 before applying. This page is not affiliated with HKPC.
Official sources
Questions about the BUD Fund and websites
No. The fund supports developing business in markets outside Hong Kong: the Chinese Mainland and the economies under the Other Economies Programme. The website must be for developing sales in the target market.
Not under the current guides. The 06/2026 Guides to Application for General Application, E-commerce Easy and Easy BUD all set a 1 (Government) : 3 (enterprise) ratio, so the Government covers at most 25% of the approved cost.
HKPC says it has not appointed or endorsed any consultants and expects applicants to prepare their own applications, and project coordinators must be your own staff. Be wary of anyone claiming to be an approved BUD consultant.
The guides tie funding to the approved project and its period; check the commencement rules in the Guide to Application for your track before committing spending, or ask the Implementer.
Yes. We give a fixed, itemised written quotation that you can use alongside other quotations, and we keep the records you need for reports and audit. We don't charge for or prepare applications.