- Funding & resources
- Up to HK$100,000
Seed funding, business training, coaching and co-working access, subject to availability.
- Key criteria & preparation
- An innovative technology idea supported by R&D and business planning.
- Individuals must be HKID holders aged 18+; company applicants need a Hong Kong limited company incorporated for less than two years.
- Teams may apply, but must incorporate a Hong Kong limited company within two weeks of approval.
- Payment & expense rules
- The amount is a programme ceiling. Admission, disbursement and workspace access remain subject to programme conditions.
- Application timing · as reviewed
- Regular application months are January, May and September. The latest published round closed at noon on 14 September 2026 for a January 2027 start; check for the next announcement.
Hong Kong special edition
Find the startup support that fits your next step.
Compare eight HKSTP, Cyberport and HSITP startup programmes, including funding, eligibility, duration, on-site requirements and official application routes, plus ESS, research talent and public-sector trial support.
Official sources reviewed: · Amounts are ceilings; actual funding and admission follow official terms.
Choose the right ecosystem
Research infrastructure, digital commercialisation or R&D at the Loop: three entry points for different needs.
| Ecosystem | Best suited to | Programme pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Science ParkHKSTP | Technical differentiation and laboratory needs | Ideation → Incubation / Incu-Bio |
| Hong Kong CyberportCyberport | Digital products, MVP validation and market access | CCMF → CIP |
| Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology ParkHSITP | Life & health or AI R&D with a Loop presence | SPIN → IGNITE → GAS |
Startup support programmes
Filter by stage, then check funding rules, team criteria and intake timing.
Showing 8 of 8 programmes
Hong Kong Science Park
Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation · Pak Shek Kok
Deep tech, R&D commercialisation & biotech
For teams that need technical validation, laboratories, R&D infrastructure and industry connections. Its ideation, incubation and biomedical programmes help turn research into market-ready products.
- Funding & resources
- Up to HK$1,290,000
Technology and business development funding, R&D equipment and labs, mentorship, industry partners and investor matching.
- Key criteria & preparation
- Technology startups with a market-validated MVP or prototype.
- Applicants must meet the official Mandatory Admission Criteria (MAC); overseas teams need Hong Kong business registration.
- Payment & expense rules
- Funding covers technology and business development expenses; claimable items and disbursement rules follow the official terms.
- Application timing · as reviewed
- Applications are accepted year-round. Review the MAC, due diligence and admission-panel requirements.
- Funding & resources
- Up to HK$6,000,000
Biomedical laboratories, scientific equipment, specialist support, industry mentorship and commercialisation connections.
- Key criteria & preparation
- For biomedical and medical technology startups, subject to specialist assessment and eligibility checks.
- Prepare R&D evidence, IP arrangements and the clinical or regulatory pathway before applying.
- Payment & expense rules
- The official package comprises HK$4 million in subsidy and upfront grant, plus HK$2 million for regulatory activities such as clinical trials. It is not an unconditional HK$6 million cash payment. Labs are offered at preferential rates.
- Application timing · as reviewed
- Use the official page to confirm the application process, assessment and current biomedical programme terms.
Hong Kong Cyberport
Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited · Pok Fu Lam
Digital technology, AI & fintech
For founders building digital prototypes, validating customer needs and growing a business. CCMF supports early validation; CIP adds longer incubation, technical services, business matching and investor connections.
Creative Micro Fund · CCMF (Hong Kong Programme)
6 months
Idea & validationR&D & incubation
Official programme & application (new tab)- Funding & resources
- Up to HK$100,000
Seed funding, prototype or MVP development, market testing, business modelling and pitch support.
- Key criteria & preparation
- For promising early digital technology ideas, projects or prototypes; applicants must be aged 18+.
- Individual applicants need HKID; company applicants must be Hong Kong-incorporated limited companies on admission. Check the Hong Kong Programme guide for the full criteria.
- Payment & expense rules
- The grant is disbursed in three stages, with project delivery and interim and final reports required during the six-month period.
- Application timing · as reviewed
- The published timeline lists 1 December 2026 as the deadline for the February 2027 intake; confirm availability in the application portal.
Cyberport Incubation Programme · CIP
24 months
R&D & incubation
Official programme & application (new tab)- Funding & resources
- Up to HK$500,000 + HK$200,000 on-site rental subsidy
Financial assistance, technical and business support, shared facilities, business matching, investors and market expansion.
- Key criteria & preparation
- A Hong Kong digital technology company limited by shares, incorporated for less than seven years or being incorporated; a product ready for marketing within 12–18 months.
- Founders collectively hold at least 51% or absolute control; at least one founder or local full-time employee must work physically in Hong Kong throughout incubation.
- Payment & expense rules
- The HK$200,000 component is an on-site rental subsidy, not unrestricted cash. Graduation requires audited financial statements or an agreed-upon procedures report showing at least HK$400,000 in eligible expenses.
- Application timing · as reviewed
- The timeline lists a 1 December 2026 deadline for February 2027, while the status says the next intake will open soon. Confirm with the portal or programme team before submitting.
Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park
Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited · Hong Kong Park at the Loop
Life & health technology, AI & data science
Located in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, with a focus on industry–academia collaboration, commercialisation and international market connections. SPIN, IGNITE and GAS cover ideation, incubation and acceleration; on-site R&D and workspace requirements matter when choosing a programme.
This section covers the Hong Kong Park at the Loop (HSITP). The Shenzhen Park and HKSTP Shenzhen Branch have separate funding and tenancy rules.
- Funding & resources
- Up to HK$150,000
Seed funding, venture support and shared workspace to turn R&D ideas into viable business plans.
- Key criteria & preparation
- An innovative idea in life & health technology or AI & data science; company applicants need a Hong Kong private company limited by shares incorporated for less than two years.
- All team applicants must be aged 18+, incorporate a Hong Kong private company limited by shares within two weeks of approval, and conduct R&D and administration in Hong Kong.
- Payment & expense rules
- Funding is paid in two equal instalments subject to six-month milestone assessments. Concurrent incubation programmes are not permitted; prior participation must be declared.
- Application timing · as reviewed
- Published deadline: 30 November 2026, 23:59 HKT. One intake per year; confirm the latest notice before submitting.
IGNITE@HSITP · R&D incubation
Life & health: 4 years · AI & data science: 2 years
R&D & incubation
Official programme & application (new tab)- Funding & resources
- Life & health: up to HK$6,000,000; AI & data science: up to HK$1,000,000
Commercialisation funding, incubation partners, rent-free offices and shared facilities; management fees apply.
- Key criteria & preparation
- Life & health or AI & data science R&D; a Hong Kong private company limited by shares incorporated for less than five years, with at least two full-time employees.
- Founders collectively hold at least 51%; at least 50% of full-time staff at HSITP work in R&D; move into the Park within six months of admission.
- Payment & expense rules
- Equal instalments follow six-month milestone assessments: eight for life & health, four for AI & data science. Concurrent participation in other incubation programmes is not permitted.
- Application timing · as reviewed
- Published deadline: 30 November 2026, 23:59 HKT. One intake per year; confirm the latest notice before submitting.
GAS@HSITP · Growth acceleration
Life & health: 4 years · AI & data science: 3 years
Growth & expansion
Official programme & application (new tab)- Funding & resources
- Life & health: up to HK$6,000,000; AI & data science: up to HK$3,000,000
Support for R&D, proof of concept, product trials, professional services, overseas accelerators and international expansion.
- Key criteria & preparation
- Life & health or AI & data science companies; a Hong Kong company limited by shares incorporated for less than ten years, with two or more full-time employees and Hong Kong R&D and administration.
- Founders collectively hold at least 51%; at least 50% of full-time Park staff work in R&D. Eligible routes include IGNITE participants or graduates, Park tenants, and external companies moving in within six months of admission.
- Payment & expense rules
- Reimbursement quotas are allocated after six-month milestones; unused funding expires at programme end. This is not upfront cash, and concurrent incubation programmes are not permitted.
- Application timing · as reviewed
- Published deadline: 30 November 2026, 23:59 HKT. One intake per year; confirm the latest notice before submitting.
Extend your support to R&D, talent and trials
These three ITC schemes have separate applications and assessments. Park admission does not guarantee funding. Confirm treatment of the same expense with each secretariat before applying to avoid duplicate claims.
Enterprise Support Scheme · ESS
Official criteria, guide & application (new tab)- Funding ceiling
- Up to HK$10,000,000 per project · 1:1 matching
- Who can apply
- Hong Kong-incorporated companies with valid business registration conducting in-house R&D; government-subvented organisations and their subsidiaries are excluded. Park admission is not a prerequisite.
- Funding rules & limits
- Projects generally run for up to 24 months. The company supplies matching funds and owns the IP. Government funding does not require recoupment or mandatory benefit sharing.
- Prepare & apply
- Applications are accepted year-round. Prepare the innovation case, technical capability, budget, commercial viability and matching-fund evidence. Submit through ITCFAS and provide the signed and stamped hard-copy original required by the official page.
Research Talent Hub · RTH-SPC
Official criteria, guide & application (new tab)- Funding ceiling
- Monthly per person: bachelor HK$20,000 / master HK$23,000 / doctoral HK$35,000
- Who can apply
- HKSTP or Cyberport incubatees and I&T tenants recruiting full-time STEM research talent who are Hong Kong permanent residents or legally permitted to work in Hong Kong. HSITP tenancy alone does not establish eligibility for this category.
- Funding rules & limits
- Up to four talents per company at a time, generally for up to 36 months each. Doctoral talents have an additional HK$10,000 monthly living allowance. Salary support is reimbursed against actual remuneration and approval conditions, generally following half-yearly progress reports; company shareholders, management and their relatives cannot be engaged as funded talent.
- Prepare & apply
- Apply year-round through ITCFAS. Verify incubatee or tenant status, R&D duties, degree and work permission. Other companies conducting R&D in Hong Kong should check RTH-TC instead of assuming SPC eligibility.
Public Sector Trial Scheme · PSTS-SPC
Official criteria, guide & application (new tab)- Funding ceiling
- Up to HK$1,000,000 per trial project · up to 12 months
- Who can apply
- Current HKSTP or Cyberport incubatees and graduate tenants trialling new, not-yet-marketed products based on their own R&D and aligned with their business plans.
- Funding rules & limits
- Funding covers prototype or sample production and trial expenses, excluding internal administration and overheads except insurance. Trials generally take place in local government departments, statutory bodies or government-subvented welfare bodies. Other R&D companies may check PSTS-TC.
- Prepare & apply
- Applications are accepted year-round, with preliminary vetting and recommendation by HKSTP or Cyberport before ITC approval. Prepare a trial partner, use case, technical evidence, success measures and budget; the official Helpdesk assists with public-sector matching.
Prepare before you apply
Turn programme requirements into actions that connect the application, operations and cash flow.
Confirm project and team eligibility
Check technology domain, company age, ownership, staffing and on-site requirements before choosing a programme.
Prepare product and R&D evidence
Prepare a business plan, pitch deck, prototype or test results, customer validation, IP ownership and 6–12 month milestones.
Plan the entity, bank account and budget
Prepare incorporation and business registration documents, the cap table and banking within programme deadlines. Separate grants, reimbursements, rent subsidies and costs you must pay.
Confirm the intake and submit
Enter the application portal through the official programme page. Check the deadline timezone, latest guide and required documents, and prepare for the panel and due diligence.
Deliver milestones and claim support
Keep R&D, expense, staffing and invoice records. Submit milestone reports, audits or reimbursement documents, and confirm concurrent-incubation restrictions.
Founder questions
Can founders without HKID apply?
Distinguish individual, team and company routes. HKSTP Ideation individuals and Cyberport individual CCMF applicants need HKID; company and team routes have separate conditions. HSITP welcomes international startups, with Hong Kong incorporation, R&D and administration requirements. Check the exact route.
Can a startup join multiple incubation programmes?
Support cannot automatically be combined. HSITP explicitly prohibits concurrent incubation programmes and requires disclosure of previous participation. Check other programmes for their current terms, duplicate-expense restrictions and exit arrangements.
Is HSITP the same application route as the Shenzhen Park?
The Hetao Co-operation Zone has one zone and two parks. HSITP here is the Hong Kong Park at the Lok Ma Chau Loop; SPIN, IGNITE and GAS use Hong Kong company criteria. The Shenzhen Park and HKSTP Shenzhen Branch have separate operators, entities and policies.
Is the maximum amount paid upfront?
Disbursement varies. CCMF pays in stages; HSITP SPIN and IGNITE depend on six-month milestones; GAS uses reimbursement quotas. CIP rent support and Incu-Bio regulatory funding have specific purposes. Model cash flow using the actual payment rules.