Kickstarter Hong Kong Program
Welcome to The Kickstarter Hong Kong Program!
Financial and promotional support to help you grow your California wine brands in your market – currently open for application for promotional period ending June 2027.
Limited funding allocations.
PROGRAM FUNDING
Five ways to access support
Choose any of the opportunities below.
To participate, importers must submit a proposed activation plan outlining how the funds will be used to promote California wines in their market.
Plans must include brands from at least two separate California Wine Export Program member brands/wineries, and demonstrate a clear strategy for engaging the trade or consumers.
All plans must be reviewed and approved by the California Wines team prior to execution. Once approved, the program provides promotional and financial support to help bring these initiatives to life and expand awareness of California wines in your market.
All funding is reimbursed after the activity on receipt of proof of performance and other required supporting documents according to funding terms and conditions.
Important deadline:
All activities must be completed by June 30, 2027. All invoices and proof of performance must be received by June 30, 2027. Invoices received after this date cannot be paid. The budget cannot be carried over to the following year.
EDUCATION
Capstone California
As part of Kickstarter, participants are encouraged to complete the Capstone California online certification course – a comprehensive guide to California wines created by internationally recognized experts.
Free enrollment for Kickstarter participants
Levels 1 and 2 are available at no cost through the link below (normally $175 and $375 USD). Please do not share the enrollment link externally.
PROGRAM RULES
Before any program activity
Complete these steps before undertaking any funded activity.
- 1
Register to participate: complete the enrolment form - 2
Read and accept the terms and conditions (included in the registration form) - 3
Upon receiving approval of your funding application, you will receive an Activity Form to complete for the respective activities registered. - 4
Download the California Wines logo for use on invites, menus, signage, and social posts.
Event Rules
- Events must feature California wines exclusively
- At least two California Export Program brands/wineries must be included — no exceptions
- The California Wines logo must appear on invites, menus, and event photos
- Tag @CaliforniaWines on Instagram and Facebook
- Funding tier based on attendance
Travel Rules
- Travel support can only be used once per fiscal year
- Only Heads of Sales and Buyers are eligible
- Representatives must differ year to year
- Cannot be taken in back-to-back years unless a new brand was added after the prior trip
- Budgets cannot carry over from one year to the next
Sample Rules
- Up to HK$5,000 in shipping costs per company per year, including customs clearance fees, duties, and excise
- Does not cover the cost of the samples themselves or any provincial markups
In-Store Tasting Rules
- Company must be registered with the Kickstarter Program, and tastings must be confirmed at least one month in advance.
- Every tasting must feature a minimum of two California wine SKUs and be exclusively for California wines.
- Funding is available for up to 30 applications, with HK$2,000 provided per 3 in-store tastings.
Retail Promotion Rules
-
-
- HK$1,500 per outlet promotion
- Promotion must be exclusive to California wines
- Special display area in-store for the promotion
- Display of California wines logo and required POSM
- Proof of performance report and evaluation form required
-
REIMBURSEMENT
Proof of performance required
Submit all proof of performance with your invoice to info@calwine.ca by June 30, 2027.
Terms, conditions & registration
Please read the terms below before completing your registration.
Payment
California Wine Institute (CWI) will pay the applicable amount within 30 days of receiving a valid invoice. Invoices must include:
- Opportunity description
- Vendor name
- Vendor bank information:
Bank name
Bank account number / IBAN
SWIFT/BIC
The bank’s mailing address is not required. - Attention to:
California Wine Institute
International Department
915 L St, Unit #1190
Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
Funding restriction
Non-Compliance Warnings:
Participants must not charge the wineries they represent for any funding received through this program. If additional costs are billed back to the winery, the bill back must be reduced by the amount of Kickstarter funding received. Failure to comply requires repayment and will result in exclusion from future California Wines programs.
Participants must not Include foreign or non-U.S. wines or agriculture in any portion of the activities which includes presenting, pouring, or promoting.
Other terms
Intellectual property: No rights in either party’s trademarks, brand names, copyrights, designs, or logos are transferred by this agreement.
Liability: CWI and its agents have no liability for any loss or damage in connection with participation in the activity.
Governing law: This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question not answered here? Email info@calwine.ca
If we don’t use our funding in 2026 - 2027 can we hold it over for activity starting from July 2027?