If you are a Hong Kong non-construction SME looking to adopt VR or XR training, the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) is the most direct government funding channel available to you — the government covered 75% on a 3:1 matching basis, with a cumulative ceiling of HK$600,000 per enterprise. (Note: the programme stopped accepting new applications after 31 December 2024 — see the notice above.) This guide, compiled by the VTM Digital advisory team, walks you through exactly what you can fund, how to apply, and what documents you need to prepare.

What Is TVP? A One-Line Definition

According to the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) official Technology Voucher Programme guidelines (itc.gov.hk), the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) is administered by the ITC through the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) to subsidise local businesses in adopting technology solutions to improve productivity or upgrade business processes.

VR/XR training systems — including hardware procurement, software licensing, and LMS (Learning Management System) integration — qualify under TVP’s funding definition because they directly improve a company’s employee training process, falling under the “productivity enhancement” category.

TVP vs CITF: Know the Difference Before You Apply

Many companies ask upfront: “Should I apply for TVP or CITF?” They are entirely different programmes targeting different industries and needs:

Which VTM Products Can Be Funded by TVP?

TVP covers costs related to “adopting new technology to solve business problems.” The following VTM solutions qualify:

✅ VR training software licence fees
VTM PMTP (property management safety training), VTM CTP (construction safety — even non-construction companies can apply for relevant safety training modules), and annual licence fees for XR Academy customised training modules.

✅ LMS (Learning Management System) integration costs
Including LMS platform setup, data migration, API integration with existing enterprise systems, and first-year administrator training fees.

✅ VR hardware procurement
Head-mounted displays (Meta Quest series, etc.), hand controllers, and VR Cave multi-user immersive hardware are all eligible within the funding scope.

✅ Technical support and maintenance (first year)
Must be listed as a separate line item in the quotation, with costs within a reasonable proportion of the overall project budget.

❌ Non-eligible costs
Pure corporate promotional video production costs, regular staff salaries, and projects already funded under other government schemes (no double-claiming).

TVP Application for VR Training: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicant companies must meet the following conditions:

• A commercial entity legally registered and genuinely operating in Hong Kong
• Employee headcount meeting the SME definition for the relevant industry (generally 50 or fewer for most service sectors, 100 or fewer for manufacturing; full definition at the Trade and Industry Department SME Fund page)
• Previous TVP applications have not reached the 3-project limit
• The proposed project has not yet commenced procurement (TVP does not fund retrospectively)

If you are unsure whether you qualify, you can enquire directly with the ITC or contact a VTM advisor for a preliminary assessment.

Step 2: Prepare the Technical Proposal

The technical proposal is the core approval document. The ITC requires it to include:

1. Business pain point statement: What specific problems does your current employee training face? (e.g. high training costs, inability to measure learning outcomes, difficulty training multilingual workers)
2. Technical specifications of the proposed solution: VTM can provide standardised technical specification documents, including Smart Lab certification (S0644) and PA24-072 government recognition details, which strengthen the proposal’s credibility.
3. At least two independent quotations: Must come from different suppliers; the approving body uses these to verify market-reasonable pricing.
4. Budget breakdown and expected KPIs: For example, “complete VR safety training for 50 employees within 12 months, achieving an LMS pass rate of 85% or above.”

The quality of the technical proposal is a key determinant of approval. We recommend preparing it in collaboration with VTM advisors to ensure technical accuracy and alignment with ITC’s expected format.

Step 3: Submit via the ITF Online Portal

Log in to the ITF online application portal (itf.gov.hk) to submit your electronic application. Important: from preparation to approval notification, allow 3–5 months — the approval cycle is generally around 8–14 weeks depending on application volume. We recommend starting preparation 4–6 months before your actual procurement need.

Note: The TVP funding caps, ratios, and approval timelines cited in this article are based on the ITC’s official Technology Voucher Programme page (itc.gov.hk). Verify the latest version before applying.

Step 4: Purchase First, Claim After Approval

TVP operates on a pay-first, claim-later model: your company must make payment upfront after approval. Once the project is complete, you submit invoices and a service completion confirmation to the ITC to claim the 75% reimbursement.

Step 5: Submit the Completion Report

According to the ITC Technology Voucher Programme guidelines, the completion report must be submitted within 3 months of project completion, including:

• Procurement records (invoices and proof of payment)
• Supplier service completion confirmation
• KPI achievement evidence (e.g. LMS training completion screenshots, pass rate reports)

The completeness of your completion report directly affects final disbursement. VTM’s LMS system can automatically generate training completion reports in a compliant format, simplifying this step.

Real-World Scenario: How a Property Management Company Used TVP to Adopt VTM PMTP

Consider a Hong Kong property management SME overseeing multiple commercial buildings and residential estates. The scenario below is a composite estimate of typical industry outcomes — not data from a specific client; actual results vary by company size and training design.

Can You Apply for Both TVP and CITF at the Same Time?

Technically, both programmes can be held concurrently, but the same project costs must never be double-claimed.

A legally permissible combination in practice: a company with both construction and non-construction operations can use CITF to fund VR training for site-related activities while using TVP to fund VR training for office, warehouse, or property management divisions — provided the procurement items and cost breakdowns for both applications are completely separate.

We recommend planning your grant allocation with a VTM advisor before applying, and clearly defining cost boundaries in both technical proposals to avoid overlap issues during approval.

Frequently Asked Questions