Government Funding Scheme & Support
The Hong Kong Government is committed to supporting startups and SMEs to help realize their vision and take their business to the next level. Find out about government funding schemes available to assist your business.
- Supporting Research & Development
- Nurturing Tech Talent Pool
- Government Co-Investment with Private VCs
- Facilitating Technology Adoption/
Patent Application Grant - Marketing Development/Business Upgrading
- Microfinancing and Loan Guarantee
- Industry Focus Funding Scheme
- Hong Kong Science & Technology
Parks Corporation (HKSTP) - Cyberport
- Government Support Bodies
- Fintech
- Fintech Sandboxes
- Innovation Solutions For Public Services Needs
Supporting Research & Development
Public Sector Trial Scheme (PSTS)
PSTS provides funding support for production of prototypes/samples and conducting of trial schemes in the public sector to facilitate and promote the realisation and commercialisation of R&D results.
Enhanced Tax Deduction for R&D Expenditures
The Enhanced Tax Deduction provides for expenditure incurred by enterprises on qualifying research and development (R&D) activities in order to encourage more enterprises to conduct R&D activities in Hong Kong.
Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS)
The ESS is a major funding initiative under the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), which is designed to encourage the private sector to invest in research and development (R&D).
Partnership Research Programme (PRP)
Partnership Research Programme (PRP) aims to support research and development (R&D) projects undertaken by private companies in collaboration with local universities and public research institutions.
Research and Development Cash Rebate Scheme (CRS)
The Research and Development Cash Rebate Scheme (the Scheme) aims to encourage more research and development (R&D) investment in the private sector and encourage companies to establish stronger partnership with local public research institutions.
Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU)
TSSSU provides funding to six universities to support their teams in starting technology businesses and commercialising their research and development (R&D) results.
Nurturing Tech Talent Pool
Postdoctoral Hub
Under the Post Doctoral Hub Programme, the following two categories of companies are eligible to apply for funding to recruit postdoctoral talent to assist in the R&D projects. The maximum monthly allowance is HK$32,000 for each postdoctoral talent, up to 2 postdoctoral talents within a maximum engagement period of 36 months.
Reindustrialisation and Technology Training Programme (RTTP)
The RTTP subsidises local companies on a 2:1 matching basis to train their staff in advanced technologies, especially those related to “Industry 4.0”. The Vocational Training Council (VTC) administers the RTTP and serves as its Secretariat. It replaced the New Technology Training Scheme (NTTS) which ceased receiving applications upon the launch of the RTTP.
Researcher Programme
Under Researcher Programme, the following two categories of companies are eligible to apply for funding to recruit graduates from local universities as researchers to assist in the R&D projects.
Talent List Hong Kong
The Talent List of Hong Kong has been drawn up with a view to attracting high quality talents in an effective and focused manner to support Hong Kong’s development into a high value-added and diversified economy. Currently the List comprises 11 professions.
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
TechTAS provides a fast-track arrangement for eligible companies to admit overseas and Mainland technology talent to undertake research and development (“R&D”) work for them. Companies that are engaged in R&D in the areas of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, data analytics, financial technologies, material science, robotics, 5G communications, digital entertainment, green technology, integrated circuit design, Internet-of-Things or microelectronics are eligible to make applications.
Youth Development Fund
The Youth Development Fund aims at supporting youth entrepreneurship and youth development activities through collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including working with NGOs in the form of a matching fund to help young people start their own business.
Government Co-Investment with Private VCs
The Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF)
The Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF) aims to stimulate private investment in local innovation and technology (I&T) start-ups. To facilitate monitoring and administration of the ITVF, a company named “The Innovation and Technology Venture Fund Corporation” (ITVFC) has been set up to serve as a special-purpose vehicle for co-investing with venture capital (VC) funds selected as Co-investment Partners (CP) in local I&T start-ups at a matching investment ratio of approximately 1 to 2.
Facilitating Technology Adoption/Patent Application Grant
Patent Application Grant
The Patent Application Grant is a funding scheme to assist local companies and individuals to apply for patents of their own inventions. All applications for functional patents and inventions with technology elements and susceptible of industrial application are eligible.
Retail Technology Adoption Assistance Scheme (ReTAAS)
The Retail Technology Adoption Assistance Scheme for Manpower Demand Management (ReTAAS) aims to help the retail industry to adopt relevant information and communications technology and other technologies that help manage manpower demand.
Technology Voucher Programme (TVP)
TVP is a regular funding programme under the Innovation and Technology Fund to subsidise local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in using technological services and solutions to improve productivity or upgrade or transform their business processes.
Marketing Development/Business Upgrading
Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund)
The BUD Fund provides funding support to individual Hong Kong enterprises in undertaking projects to develop brands, upgrade and restructure their business operations and promote sales in the ASEAN market and Mainland China market, so as to enhance their competitiveness and facilitate their business development in the ASEAN and Mainland China market.
General Support Programme (GSP)
GSP is a programme under the ITF catering for non-R&D projects that contribute to the upgrading and development of our industries as well as fostering an innovation and technology culture in Hong Kong.
SME Export Marketing Fund
The SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) aims to encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to expand their markets outside Hong Kong by providing financial assistance to SMEs for participation in export promotion activities.
Microfinancing and Loan Guarantee
Microfinance Scheme
The Scheme aims to offer Micro Business Start-up Loan, Self-employment Loan and Self-enhancement Loan to assist people who wish to start their own businesses, become self-employed or achieve self-enhancement through training, upgrading of skills or obtaining professional certification.
SME Financing Guarantee Scheme
The Scheme aims at helping local small and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”) and non-listed enterprises to obtain financing from participating lenders for meeting their business needs so as to enhance their productivity and competitiveness in the rapidly changing business environment. Under the Scheme, the HKMCI may provide guarantee coverage of 50%, 60% or 70% to the credit facilities of eligible enterprises approved by participating lenders.
SME Loan Guarantee Scheme (SGS)
The SGS is a loan guarantee scheme whereby the Government acts as the guarantor of individual SMEs to help them secure loans from the PLIs for (a) acquiring business installations and equipment and (b) meeting working capital needs of general business uses.
Industry Focus Funding Scheme
Creative Industries
Design Incubation Programme
The Hong Kong Design Incubation Programme (DIP) aims to nurture design start-ups at the early stage of their business development, with hardware and software support.
Environmental Protection
Recycling Fund
The Enterprise Support Programme (ESP) under the Recylcling Fund provides matching funds for the projects to enhance the recycling value added chain covering source separation, collection, transportation, processing, product improvement, commercialization, marketing and sales of recycled products made from recyclables. Funding may also be provided for the training of staff to run the enhanced operation.
Construction Industry
Construction Innovatoin & Technology Fund (CITF)
The CITF is established to encourage wider adoption of innovative constructive methods and new technologies in the construction industry with a view to promoting productivity, uplifting built quality, improving site safety and enhancing environmental performance.
Social Enterprises
Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund)
The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund), as a catalyst for social innovation in Hong Kong, connects our community with different sectors, including businesses, NGOs, academics and philanthropies to create social impact through innovative solutions that address poverty and social exclusion.
The Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living (“FBL”)
The Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living (“FBL”) is a scheme for funding innovation and technology (“I&T”) projects which will make people’s daily living more convenient, comfortable and safer, or address the needs of specific community groups.
Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is a statutory body that has one simple goal – to transform Hong Kong into the regional hub for innovation and technology development.
A hub that will diversify and grow the city’s economy, expand employment opportunities across a multitude of industries, raise Hong Kong’s status as a global powerhouse to a new level, foster talent and interest in STEM as well as offer them highly-sought-after tech careers, and most importantly, help create a sustainable world and brighter future for the younger generation.
HKSTP Ventures
HKSTP Ventures (officially known as the Corporate Venture Fund) is an HKSTP-created fund that gives early-stage Hong Kong technology startups a chance to fully develop their ideas and create revolutionary new tech products and services.
Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC)
Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC), organised by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), is an exciting tech startup challenge drawing hundreds of brilliant minds from the globe to unleash their brain powers.
Incu-App Incubation Programme
Incu-App is a 2-year Programme aiming to provide startup support to companies working on business innovation during their inception stages.
Incu-Bio Incubation Programme
The Incu-Bio Programme is a four-year Programme managed by the Biomedical Technology Cluster (BMT).
Incu-Tech Incubation Programme
Incu-Tech is a 3-year programme operated by HKSTP to provide a range of business and professional services to assist technology startups during their inception stages.
Leading Enterprises Acceleration Programme (LEAP)
The Leading Enterprises Acceleration Programme (LEAP) is a business acceleration programme that caters to startups’ distinctive needs for growth and accelerates their innovation onto the global stage.
Science and Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
The Science and Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) is a one-year startup support programme designed to nurture tech-focused entrepreneurs to become successful startups and help them turn their brilliant ideas into reality.
Cyberport
Cyberport is an innovative digital community with about 1,400 technology companies. It is managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, which is wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government. With a vision to be the hub for digital technology thereby creating a new economic driver for Hong Kong, Cyberport is committed to nurturing a vibrant tech ecosystem by cultivating talent, promoting entrepreneurship among youth, supporting start-ups on their growth journey, fostering industry development by promoting strategic collaboration with local and international partners, and integrating new and traditional economies by accelerating digital adoption in the public and private sectors.
Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF)
Cyberport Creative Micro Fund encourages innovation and creativity in Hong Kong.
Cyberport Incubation Programme
Cyberport Incubation Programme supports entrepreneurs and start-ups with resources that aim to accelerate their growth.
Cyberport Macro Fund (CMF)
We take pride in the vibrant creative digital cluster at Cyberport where we transform human potential into performance through championing innovative ideas, investing in the best minds, and embracing bright ideas in the digital world that shape the way we live and think.
Overseas/Mainland Market Development Support Scheme (MDSS)
The Overseas/Mainland Market Development Support Scheme (MDSS) is announced by Hong Kong Government to provide a financial subsidy for graduates of Cyberport Incubation Programme (CIP) and Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF) to develop Mainland and Overseas market.
The Cyberport Accelerator Support Programme
The Cyberport Accelerator Support Programme prepares Cyberport incubatees and alumni for international markets and investors, providing up to HK$300,000 financial assistance to each successful applicant.
Government Support Bodies
The Hong Kong Government is committed to supporting startups and SMEs to help realise their vision and take their business to the next level. Find out more about support services provided by various government departments and statutory bodies.
InvestHK
InvestHK’s vision is to strengthen Hong Kong’s status as the leading international business location in Asia.
CreateHK
The CreateHK is a dedicated agency set up under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau on 1 June 2009 to lead, champion and drive the development of the creative economy in Hong Kong.
Cyberport
The CreateHK is a dedicated agency set up under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau on 1 June 2009 to lead, champion and drive the development of the creative economy in Hong Kong.
“Four-in-One” SME Centres
To strengthen support for SMEs and to raise SMEs’ awareness of the various funding schemes, the Government has consolidated the services of existing SME centres.
Hong Kong Design Centre
As the Hong Kong government’s advisor on design, Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) sets its mission to champion design’s many possibilities, to constantly remind our community what great, intelligent designs can achieve and to lead the way for our next generation of designers.
Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC)
Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a multi-disciplinary organisation established by statute in 1967, to promote productivity excellence through integrated advanced technologies and innovative service offerings to support Hong Kong enterprises.
Hong Kong R&D Centres
The Hong Kong R&D Centre Programme is the core initiative driven by the Innovation and Technology Commission of HKSAR Government with the aim to harness Hong Kong’s advantages in applied research, intellectual property protection, business-friendly environment and proximity to the manufacturing based in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, to thrive as a regional technology service hub.
Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is a statutory body that has one simple goal – to transform Hong Kong into the regional hub for innovation and technology development.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade.
Trade and Industry Department (TID) of the HKSAR Government
Based on Hong Kong’s free trade policy and our strengths as an open economy, TID works to facilitate and support the development of trade and industry in Hong Kong.
Fintech
InvestHK FintechHK
InvestHK is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government Department responsible for Foreign Direct Investment. It has set up a dedicated FinTech team in Hong Kong with correspondents located in London and San Francisco.
Fintech Sandboxes
Financial regulators in Hong Kong have set up three supervisory sandboxes to enable financial institutions to conduct pilot trials of innovative applications, enabling them to obtain real market data and information on user experience before the launch of any formal product, thereby reducing development time and costs.
Fintech Supervisory Sandbox (FSS)
The Fintech Supervisory Sandbox (FSS), launched by the HKMA in September 2016, allows banks and their partnering technology firms (tech firms) to conduct pilot trials of their fintech initiatives involving a limited number of participating customers without the need to achieve full compliance with the HKMA’s supervisory requirements.
Insurance Authority Insurtech Sandbox (“Sandbox”)
The IA launched an Insurtech Sandbox on 29 September 2017 to facilitate a pilot run of innovative Insurtech applications by authorized insurers to be applied in their business operations.
SFC Regulatory Sandbox
The SFC Regulatory Sandbox (Sandbox) is established to provide a confined regulatory environment for qualified firms1 to operate regulated activities under the SFO before Fintech is used on a fuller scale.
Innovation Solutions For Public Services Needs
The Government has launched two major initiatives to encourage startups and SMEs to put forward innovation solutions in I&T and engineering areas to enhance the quality and efficiency of public services.
EMSD E&M InnoPortal
EMSD launches E&M InnoPortal which is a platform for I&T collaboration and maintains a list of the technology development needs of various government departments, public bodies and the E&M trade.
Smart Government Innovation LAB
EMSD launches E&M InnoPortal which is a platform for I&T collaboration and maintains a list of the technology development needs of various government departments, public bodies and the E&M trade.