Helping Hong Kong Businesses Secure and Claim Grants

We hand-hold businesses throughout the entire grant lifecycle- 
from Application to Grant Offer to Claims & Reimbursements.

Time-efficient. Optimal funding levels. No hassle.

Real Inbound Consulting focuses in helping Hong Kong businesses navigate the complexities of applying and claiming for complex business grants.

While we offer grant consultancy for mainstream grants such as the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD), Technology Voucher Program (TVP), Re-industrialisation Funding Scheme (RFS), Enterprise Support Scheme, Research Talent Hub grant, R&D Cash Rebate Scheme (CRS) and the Cyberport Incubation Programme (CIP) - and many more.

​We can help with most of the grants listed on Hong Kong's national grant listing portal under Startmeup.HK, which serves as the most updated reference source for business grants available in Hong Kong

Our team comprises of TUV SUD certified management consultants with many years of experience helping over 400 businesses. Our success spans across many industries and company-types, where we facilitated swift project execution and funding applications.

Our Key Value Proposition

  • Success-Only: We only charge if the application is successful, making it risk-free for our clients.

  • End-to-End Support: We cover the full spectrum of the grant lifecycle – from building proposals, answering questions from grant agency and securing the offer letter; all the way to final milestone claims submission, clearing grant audits and reimbursements. This relieves our clients of all the administrative burden relating to grant application and claims.

  • Time Savings with Optimal Funding Outcomes: We draft effective proposals with convincing project impact calculations to justify the grant support seeked, knowing exactly what grant agencies look out for. We offer expert Q&A support, knowing what questions to expect from grant agencies and how best to answer them. We manage the entire claims process, which is more time-consuming than the application process. A lot can go wrong during claims, and RIC is here to prevent such issues. All in all, our expertise and exclusive enables us to handle grants much faster than clients could if they were to do these themselves, leading to significantly quicker approvals, optimal funding outcomes and smooth reimbursements.​​

Our team of grant consultants helps businesses secure grants for projects relating to the implementation of:

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Customised Software Systems
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Factory & Manufacturing Automation Systems & Technologies
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Overseas Expansion
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R&D and Commercialisation of New Innovative Offerings & Technologies
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Hiring Manpower to Support Above Initiatives

Our Grant Consultancy Service: Taking Ownership of Full End-to-end Spectrum of Work:

Phase 1: Application Preparation - One to two weeks
  • Research and recommendation of suitable grant(s) for project
  • Application preparation- Build project proposals, business forecasts, cost planning, consolidating quotes and financials, etc.
  • Grant submission on dedicated online portal by respective grant agencies
Phase 2: Application Evaluation - Two to twelve weeks
  • Support in preparing responses to grant evalutors' queries
  • Support with follow-ups on applications revisions, upon request by grant evaluators
Phase 3: Offer Secured - One week
  • Award of Grant Offer Letter
  • Advise on key terms and deliverables to take note of
  • Advise on offer acceptance process
Phase 4: Project Execution - Duration depends on Project
  • Project Management throughout project duration
  • Ensure all documentation (receipts, invoices, bank statements, etc.) are compliant with the conditions in the Offer Letter- i.e. Qualifying Period, Qualifying Expenditure amounts, Deliverables, etc.
  • Support in raising Project Ammendment requests through grant portal: i.e. Partial Cash Disbursement, Project Timeline extension, Project Scope ammendment, etc.
Phase 5: Final Claims Preparation - One to two weeks
  • Support with preparation of Project Completion Report(s) and required supporting documents
  • Consolidate & prepare all other relevant paperwork required for claims submission
  • Support the submission of claims on grant agency’s dedicated portal/process
Phase 6: Final Claims Evaluation - One to eight weeks
  • Facilitate engagement of external grant auditor, answering auditor’s questions till satisfaction
  • Ensure clearance of all grant claims audits
  • Support with Q&A with grant officer, up till grant reimbursement is received in your company’s bank account.

Why Choose Us

Niche Experience & Focus as Grant Consultants
Over 10 years’ combined team experience in practice. Sole focus in delivering grant-supportable projects for over 400 companies, with members of our team being ex-government statutory board employees, accountants and technology consultants.

Certified & Professional Expertise
We are Professional Singapore Certified Management Consultant by TUV SUD, the world-leading certification body. Recognized by Enterprise Singapore under the Consultant Quality Initiative.

Diverse Capabilities
Handled grant-supportable projects each of value from US$50K to the Millions. Served clients from a wide range of industries across various growth stages (from startups, SMEs, MNCs to listed companies).

Proven Value
We see multiple success cases per month, and are well-versed in the majority of grants schemes available in Hong Kong.

Industry Knowledge
We are always up-to-date knowledge on funding options & grants available, with a clear understanding of what makes a project suitable for executional success and grant funding.

Competitive Pricing
Our fee structure is designed to accommodate the budget of SMEs.

Examples of Hong Kong we have consulted Clients on:

A) For Productivity Improvement & Automation
Technology Voucher Program
  • Support local organizations in using technological services and solutions to improve productivity, or upgrade or transform their business processes.
  • For non-listed, non-govt subvented HK companies with substantive business operations in HK
  • Supportable scope: Tech Consulting, Customized hardware/software or tech solutions, Off-the-shelf hardware/software or tech solutions.
  • Examples: ERP, CRM, Solutions that facilitate compliance to certain standards, Energy Management Systems, intelligent robotics
  • Support level at 75%, Cumulative funding ceiling per coy is HK$600K. Max 6 projects

Re-industrialisation Funding Scheme (RFS)
  • Support  manufacturers to set up NEW (not to upgrade) smart production lines in Hong Kong.
  • For HK companies looking to have a significant portion of new production line as ‘smart’: i.e. Internet of Things, real-time data, application of data analytics and advanced human-machine interfaces, artificial intelligence/machine learning/deep learning, automation and robotics, sensors and actuators, etc. in the production process.
  • Supportable costs: Procurement, installation and commissioning of the machinery/equipment/apparatus; delivery, technical consultancy, testing, staff training, patent
  • Support level at 33%, capped at HKD15M grant per project
B) For Overseas Expansion
Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales
  • Support HK enterprises to develop brands, upgrade, restructure their business operations and promote sales in selected countries (including Mainland China)
  • For non-listed HK companies with substantive business operations in HK
  • Supportable scope: New machines to increase capacity, digital marketing, additional manpower, website/mobile app, sales platform, trademark, testing & certification, exhibitions, product development and more
  • Support level at 50%, cumulative funding ceiling per enterprise is HK$7M; funding ceiling for each approved project is HK$1M
  • Markets covered by this grant include: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Austria, Belgo-Luxembourg Economic Union, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Macao, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Export Marketing Fund
  • Supports enterprises for their participation in promotion activities to promote their own products and/or services
  • For non-listed HK companies with substantive business operations in HK
  • Supportable scope: Trade Exhibitions in/outside of HK, Outward Business Missions, Advertising on trade publications targeting outside markets, digital marketing targeting overseas markets, website/mobile application for export promotion; related travel expenses
  • Support level at 50% or HK$100K, whichever lesser. 1 application per promotion activity. Cumulative limit of HK$1M per coy
C) For New Technology Development
Enterprise Support Scheme
  • Funding support for local companies to conduct in-house research and development (R&D) work
  • For HK companies which are non-govt subvented
  • Supportable costs include manpower, new equipment, outsourcing, production of prototypes, testing & certifications, patent registration, and more.
  • 50% support, capped at HKD10M per project
  • Assessed on Innovation & Tech, Management Capability, Financials, Commercial Viability and Alignment to govt policies.

Research Talent Hub - Tech Companies
  • Funding support for tech companies to conduct R&D in Hong Kong to engage research talents
  • For HK companies with substantive business operations, which is non-govt subvented. 
  • Research talent must be legally permitted to work in HK, with degree in STEM by a recognized University
  • Supportable costs include up to 4 research talents’ salary, for max 36 months. Max monthly salary ranges from HK$20K - $35K, depending on degree qualification

R&D Cash Rebate Scheme (CRS)
  • Cash rebate for two types of applied R&D projects: (i) those funded by ITF, and (ii) those funded entirely by company but conducted in partnership with local public research institute (RI)
  • For HK companies which is non-govt subvented. 
  • Supports 40% cash rebate of the local enterprises' eligible expenditure contributed
  • For partnership projects with RIs, the following cannot be supported: (i) work without scientific research content, (ii) in-house R&D, (iii) work outside science and technology fields such as market researches and management studies.
D) For Other Types of Projects
Cyberport Incubation Program (CIP)
  • Grants up to HK$500,000 resources over 24 months to high-traction technology companies to scale and grow 

Fintech Proof-of-Concept Subsidy Scheme
  • Encourages traditional financial institutions (the “FIs”) to partner up with Fintech companies to conduct Proof-of-Concept project (the “PoC project”) on innovative financial service products. ​
  • Approved PoC project is 100% subsidised by the PoC Scheme with funding up to HK$150,000. Deserving PoC projects with greater complexity and broader usage involving cross-sector or cross-boundary/border applications(e.g. Involving the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area or Association of Southeast Asian Nations) can be funded up to HK$200,000. For Projects with wide impact and address important issues in the fintech industry, the subsidy amount may go up to HK$ 400,000

Greentech Fund (GTF)
  • Funds research and development (R&D) projects which help Hong Kong decarbonise and enhance environmental protection.
  • For Local public research institutions, R&D centres and private companies undertaking such R&D projects
  • GTF funding support ranges from HK$2.5 million up to HK$30 million per project. A total of $400 million has been allocated to the GTF.

Patent Application Grant (PAG)
  • Encourages local companies and inventors to capitalise their intellectual work through patent registration.
  • All applications for functional patents and inventions with technology elements and susceptible of industrial application are eligible. 
  • Can be used in applying for patents in or outside Hong Kong.
  • Maximum funding support: HK$250,000 or 90% of the sum of the total direct costs of patent application (including the cost for patent search-cum-technical assessment), whichever is the lower.

Global Success Cases

Below cases studies have client name omitted due to confidentiality agreements in place.

Factory Automation & Robotics

Leading Distributor of Meat Products of over 47 years

The client is a leading meat importer, processor and distributor of over 100 staff and $65 Mil turnover, looking to achieve semi-automation capabilities in its meat cutting, packing, crate logistics and production tracking- across various levels of its production facility. We supported them in the the implementation of customised smart conveyor systems, crate buffering lines across four storeys of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), and IOT sensors to measure production performance. Our team performed process re-design & productivity analysis to build the business case, mapped out the future strategies for business growth, and guided the client in securing significant grant funding to defray all costs involved.

Electronics Manufacturer of over 30 years

The client is an established manufacturer of high-value electronics components with global clients. We supported them in the implementation of Industry 4.0 automation and data exchange technologies in their production floor, creating a connected eco-system for manufacturing, integrating computing, networking and physical processes. New machines and robotics were implemented; and new software technologies were adopted to enable all  components and final products to have a digital model, connected through data that is shared on cloud. This allows for real time monitoring, control and optimisation. The automation is expected to significantly increase production rates, reduce quality issues with products and lower overall operating costs significantly. We also supported the client in securing grant financing for the implementation.

Commercial Ware-Washing Firm of over 100 staff

The client is a leading commercial ware-washing firm in Singapore, providing outsourced bulk washing and sanitisation services for dining ware & utensils to major food court operators and F&B retail groups. We supported them in their efforts to automate their ware-washing process by implementing integrated automatic rinsing, soaking & utensils-sorting machines, sophisticated water recycling systems, and AI image-recognition technology to continually track the number of items washed. The new setup was also integrated with their ERP system to streamline order management, invoicing and fulfilment. Our team also guided the client in securing grant financing for all costs relating to the automation.

Software & Technology Implementation

Food Caterer of 36+ years

We secured grants to offset the cost of the client's purchase and implementation of an ERP system to digitize operations from in-kitchen preparation, scheduling and packing to delivery planning, marketing, invoicing and payment collections. The company's website was integrated to the ERP to facilitate seamless order confirmation, quote generation and processing.​ Average process time for key functions were reduced by 50-70%, resulting in greater growth capacity and shorter sales cycle.​

Law Firm of 22+ years

We helped a law firm of over 22 years and 60 staff secure grants for and implement digitization and process-optimization for their property conveyancing operations, process analytics, human resource management, finance and client relationship management. As a result, workflows were transformed, leading to 57.6% savings in man-hours spent, better retention of staff and increased level of service professionalism.​

Engineering Company of 12+ years

We helped a an award-winning water solutions engineering company secure grants and implement an ERP software to manage project costs, material procurement,  inventory and labor deployment. The company reaped productivity benefits that exceed 10 times the cost of the system over a 3 year period, reducing man-hours spent on manual processes by 65.6% across their 40+ staff across their Singapore and Malaysia operations.​ ​

Overseas Set-up & Expansion 

Established Dental Practice

We helped an established dental practice of over 10 years expand into Myanmar, targeting the high-growth middle-income clientele. We secured grants for the incorporation of business entity / attainment of permits, establishment of the first overseas flagship clinic as well as the hiring of business development and marketing staff.​

Construction & Design Firm

We supported the construction firm of over 37 staff to enter the Vietnamese market, where they have secured sizeable contracts to design and build residential and commercials properties. We helped secure grant support for keymen of the business to be posted overseas and head the venture.

Financial Advisory Firm

We helped a capital advisory firm of 8+ years and 20+ professional services staff expand operations into Malaysia, securing funds for their hiring of the overseas business development team as well as acquiring a country office. We worked with management to plan the 3-year business development activities, financial forecasts and sales targets of the new setup.

New Product Development (R&D) 

Oil & Gas company of 26+ years

We helped an Oil & Gas equipment secure grants and transformed its business, diversifying out of the sectorial depression into new 'blue-ocean' markets overseas. The project involved developing and commercialising a disruptive AI-based solution for precise personnel and asset tracking in complex worksites leveraging GNSS & IMU technology. ​We tapped on grants by Workforce Singapore to make 5 strategic hires to spearhead the business transformation.

VC-backed Med-tech company

We helped a VC-backed medical technology startup of 3+ years secure grants that support the costs of attaining various internationally-recognised standards and certifications for their innovative genetic-testing device. This accelerated the company’s scaling of their business and accessing of new markets in Southeast Asia, putting them in good stead to increase revenues by 5 times within 3 years. 

Renewable Energy Project Developer 

The client is a global renewable energy project developer. They were looking to develop an unprecedented technology that is mission-critical for offshore Floating Solar PV farms to relay electricity generated back to the land grid. We supported them in the (i) planning and monitoring of the full spectrum of R&D work, (ii) developing strategies for commercialisation, as well as (iii) securing significant grant support to offset the costs of developing and deploying the first prototype. The prototype was subsequently deployed in an offshore renewable project that was featured in global renewable energy publications, dubbed the 'first of its kind' in the world.

Resources

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