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.
- Anti-Epidemic Fund – Support Measures for SMEs and Startups (Special Relief Measures)
- Supporting Research & Development
- Nurturing Tech Talent Pool
- Government Co-Investment with Private VCs
- Facilitating Technology Adoption/
Patent Application Grant - Marketing Development/Business Upgrading
- SME Loan Guarantee/Export Credit Insurance
- Industry Focus Funding Schemes
- Hong Kong Science & Technology
Parks Corporation (HKSTP) - Cyberport
- Government Support Bodies
- Fintech
- Fintech Sandboxes
- Innovation Solutions For Public Services Needs
Anti-Epidemic Fund - Support Measures for SMEs and Startups (Special Relief Measures)
The Government announced on February 14, 2020 the setting up of a HK$30 billion Anti-epidemic Fund in order to enhance the capability of the Government and other relevant parties in combating the COVID-19 epidemic, and to provide assistance or relief to enterprises and members of the public hard hit by the current epidemic or affected by anti-epidemic measures. For details of first round of Anti-epidemic Fund, please see here.
The second round of HK$137.5 billion of Anti-epidemic Fund measures are announced on April 8, 2020, to further support businesses and residents affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. For details, please click here.
The Government announced on 15 September 2020 the introduction of the third round of Anti-epidemic Fund. The $24 billion package will assist industries and people affected by the epidemic and help enhance Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic capabilities.
Anti-Epidemic Fund - Startups and I&T Related Only
Distance Business Programme
Remote working or service has become a new trend against the backdrop of the epidemic. Under the Anti-Epidemic Fund, the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) has launched the Distance Business (D-Biz) Programme to support enterprises to continue their business and services during the epidemic. The Programme provides funding support through fast-track processing for enterprises to adopt IT solutions for developing distance business. The Hong Kong Productivity Council is the Secretariat of the Programme.
Employment Support Scheme (ESS)
The HKSAR Government has launched the “Employment Support Scheme” (ESS) under the second round of the “Anti-epidemic Fund” to provide time-limited financial support to employers to retain employees who may otherwise be made redundant.
Law Tech Fund
LawTech Fund (the Fund) under the Anti-epidemic Fund is to assist some small and medium-size law firms and barristers’ chambers in procuring and upgrading information technology systems and arranging for their staff to attend lawtech training courses.
Rental waivers for tenants at the Science Park, industrial estates and Cyberport
The rental relief will cover all start-ups, incubatees, co-working space users, office tenants, partner companies, professional services companies and
merchant outlets at the Hong Kong Science Park, InnoCentre, industrial estates and Cyberport.
merchant outlets at the Hong Kong Science Park, InnoCentre, industrial estates and Cyberport.
Subsidy Scheme for Encouraging Early Deployment of 5G
Launched by the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) under the second round of Anti-epidemic Fund, the Scheme aims to encourage various sectors, through the provision of financial incentives, to deploy 5G technology early to foster innovation and smart city applications.
Loan Guarantee
Special 100% Loan Guarantee under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme
The Special 100% Loan Guarantee is applicable to all sectors. The loans will be fully guaranteed by the Government. Eligible enterprises should have been operating for at least three months as at end-December 2019, and have suffered at least a 30% decline in sales turnover in any month since February 2020 compared with the monthly average of any quarter in 2019.
Supporting Research & Development
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.
Entreprise Support Scheme (ESS)
Entreprise Support Scheme (ESS) aims to provide funding support for local companies to conduct in-house research and development (R&D) work with a view to encouraging the private sector to invest in R&D.
Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme (TCFS)
TCFS aims to enhance the level of collaboration on research and development (R&D) among universities, research institutes and technology enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong/Shenzhen.
Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP)
ITSP aims to support applied research and development (R&D) projects undertaken by R&D Centres or designated local public research institutes with a view to transferring the R&D results to local industries.
Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Funding Scheme (MHKJFS)
MHKJFS aims to support and encourage research and development (R&D) collaboration among universities, research institutes and technology enterprises in Hong Kong and the Mainland.
Midstream Research Programme for Universities (MRP)
MRP aims to encourage universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) to collaborate with leading research institutes worldwide to conduct more theme-based inter-disciplinary and translational research and development (R&D) work in focused technology areas.
Partnership Research Programme (PRP)
PRP aims to support applied research and development (R&D) projects undertaken by R&D Centre or designated local public research institutes in collaboration with private companies.
Research and Development Cash Rebate Scheme (CRS)
CRS 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 institutes.
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
Development Fund for the Travel Industry
The fund aims to enhance the overall competitiveness of the local travel industry through subsidizing the training and promotional activities beneficial to travel agents.
Maritime and Aviation Training Fund
Maritime and Aviation Training Fund (MATF) to sustain and enhance existing training schemes and scholarships, as well for launching new initiatives for the maritime and aviation sectors.
Reindustrialisation and Technology Training Programme (RTTP)
RTTP aims to subsidise local enterprises on a 2 (Government) : 1 (Enterprise) matching basis to train their staff in advanced technologies, especially those related to “Industry 4.0”.
Research Talent Hub for Incubatees and I&T Tenants of the HKSTPC and the Cyberport (RTH-SPC)
The RTH-SPC provides incubatees and innovation and technology (I&T) tenants of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) and the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) with funding support for the recruitment of research talents to conduct research and development (R&D) work.
Research Talent Hub for ITF projects (RTH-ITF)
The RTH-ITF aims to provide funding support for organisations/companies undertaking research and development (R&D) projects funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) to engage research talent to conduct R&D work.
Research Talent Hub for Technology Companies Conducting R&D Activities in Hong Kong (RTH-TC)
The RTH-TC aims to provide funding support for technology companies conducting or planning to conduct research and development (R&D) activities in Hong Kong to engage research talents to conduct R&D work.
STEM Internship Scheme
The STEM Internship Scheme (“the Scheme”) aims to encourage STEM students to gain innovation and technology (I&T)-related work experience during their studies and to foster their interest in pursuing a career in I&T after graduation, so as to enlarge the local I&T talent pool.
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.
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 Government has set up a HK$2 billion Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF) in 2017 with a view to attracting more venture capital (VC) funds to co-invest in local innovation and technology (I&T) start-ups in Hong Kong.
Facilitating Technology Adoption/Patent Application Grant
Re-industrialisation Funding Scheme (RFS)
RFS aims to subsidise manufacturers to set up new smart production lines in Hong Kong. The entire or a significant portion of the production line under application should fulfil the “smart manufacturing” criteria.
Public Sector Trial Scheme for Technology Companies Conducting Research and Development (R&D) Activities in Hong Kong (PSTS-TC)
PSTS-TC aims to fund the production of prototypes/samples and/or conducting of trials in the public sector by technology companies conducting R&D activities in Hong Kong.
Public Sector Trial Scheme for Incubatees & Graduate Tenants of Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (PSTS-SPC)
PSTS-SPC aims to provide funding support for production of prototypes/samples and/or conducting of trials in the public sector by incubatees and graduate tenants of the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport).
Public Sector Trial Scheme – ITF Projects (PSTS-ITF)
PSTS-ITF aims to provide funding support for production of prototypes/samples and/or conducting of trials in the public sector to facilitate and promote the realisation and commercialisation of research and development (R&D) results under ITF projects.
Patent Application Grant
PAG aims to encourage local companies and inventors to capitalise their intellectual work through patent registration.
Retail Technology Adoption Assistance Scheme (ReTAAS)
The Government sets aside $50 million for Retail Technology Adoption Assistance Scheme for Manpower Demand Management (ReTAAS) 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 aims to support local enterprises/organisations in using technological services and solutions to improve productivity, or upgrade or transform their business processes.
Marketing Development/Business Upgrading
Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund (TSF)
The Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund (TSF) provides financial support to non-profit-distributing organisations to implement projects which aim at enhancing the competitiveness of non-listed Hong Kong enterprises in general or in specific sectors.
Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund)
The BUD Fund provides funding support for individual Hong Kong enterprises to undertake projects to develop brands, upgrade and restructure their business operations and promote sales in Mainland China and ASEAN, so as to enhance their competitiveness and to facilitate their business development.
General Support Programme (GSP)
GSP aims to support non-research and development (R&D) projects that contribute to the upgrading and development of our industries as well as the fostering of an innovation and technology culture in Hong Kong.
SME Export Marketing Fund
EMF provides funding support to SMEs for their participation in the following export promotion activities to promote their own products and/or services.
SME Loan Guarantee/Export Credit Insurance
Export Credit Insurance
Export Credit Insurance provides protection against the risks of non-payment involved when offering credit terms to your overseas buyers.
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.
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 Schemes
Chinese Medicine Development Fund
The main purpose of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Development Fund is to promote the development of the Chinese medicine and Chinese medicine drug sectors, enhance the overall standard of the industry, nurture talents for Chinese medicine, promote Chinese medicine-related research and enhance public knowledge and understanding of Chinese medicine.
Cleaner Production Partnership Programme
The Programme aims to encourage and facilitate Hong Kong-owned factories in Hong Kong and Guangdong to adopt cleaner production technologies and practices, thereby contributing to improving the environment.
Construction Innovation & 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.
CreateSmart Initiative
The CSI aims at providing financial support to projects conducive to the development of creative industries in Hong Kong. It is administered by the Create Hong Kong (CreateHK)
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.
Fashion Incubation Programme (FIP)
FIP is an advanced incubator for ardent fashion talents and brands. 15 designer brands will be selected to join a 2-year programme over a 3-year period.
New Energy Transport Fund (previously named Pilot Green Transport Fund)
To help improve roadside air quality and reduce carbon emissions, thereby helping to avert global climate change, the Government put in place a $300 million Pilot Green Transport Fund (PGTF) to subsidise the transport trade and charitable/non-profit making organisations to try out green innovative transport technologies previously in March 2011.
Pilot Information Technology Development Matching Fund Scheme for Travel Agents (Pilot Scheme)
The fund aims to promote the adoption of information technology among SME-sized travel agents for upgrading their productivity and service quality, as well as strengthening their competitiveness in the local or overseas markets.
Recycling Fund
The Recycling Fund comprises two parts, namely the Enterprise Support Programme (ESP) and Industry Support Programme (ISP). The former provides funding support for individual Hong Kong enterprises to upgrade and expand their waste recycling operations in Hong Kong. The latter provides funding support for non-profit distributing organisations (NPOs) to undertake non-profit making projects which can assist the local recycling industry in general or in specific sectors in enhancing their operational standards and productivity.
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)
We empower the innovation and technology ecosystem in Hong Kong through a host of strategic initiatives. We’re bridging innovators with various stakeholders as we build the city’s largest R&D base to turn ideas into market-ready solutions. Since 2002, we’ve cultivated successful Innovation and Technology (I&T) companies, formed strong local and international partnership networks and created a thriving community within HKSTP.
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.
HKSTP Ventures
As HKSTP’s corporate venture fund, HKSTP Ventures’ vision is to drive the innovation and investment ecosystem in Hong Kong. We combine HKSTP’s resources with those of private sector investors to nurture early-stage technology startups, giving local talent the opportunity to make an impact on the world.
Incu-App Incubation Programme
Incu-App is a two-year programme designed to help startups develop new solutions from existing technology. We provide designated account managers who can give you professional guidance, so you can tap into industry expertise in content development, application platform and market support value chains through partnerships with top companies in Hong Kong.
Incu-Bio Incubation Programme
A four-year programme managed by the Biomedical Technology Cluster, Incu-Bio supports the development of biomedical tech startups in Hong Kong. Connect with stakeholders in investment and regulatory support to devise the perfect business plan.
Incu-Tech Incubation Programme
Incu-Tech is a three-year programme aimed at helping technology startups specialising in deep tech research to develop innovative solutions. Work in our furnished office spaces, access world-class R&D equipment and lab services across our campus.
Leading Enterprises Acceleration Programme (LEAP)
The Leading Enterprises Acceleration Programme (LEAP) gives startups wings to fly and fast tracks their global expansion. The growth-stage business acceleration programme is designed to support high potential startups in all industries.
Science and Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
Turn your brilliant ideas into reality and launch successful ventures with STEP, our one-year startup support programme for tech-focused entrepreneurs. Through the programme, learn the fundamental skills you need to kickstart your business.
TechnoPreneur Partnership Programme
HKSTP’s TechnoPreneur Partnership Programme (TPP) has a simple goal: to nurture Hong Kong’s technology startup community, and to promote and encourage entrepreneurship.
Cyberport
Cyberport is an innovative digital community with about 1,500 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 focuses on fostering the growth of major technologies application namely FinTech, smart living, digital entertainment & esports, as well as technology development such as artificial intelligence (AI) & big data, blockchain and cybersecurity. With a team of committed professionals providing all round, value-added services, state-of-the-art facilities and smart workspaces to support our digital community, Cyberport is the flagship for Hong Kong’s digital tech industry.
Cyberport Accelerator Support Programme
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.
Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF)
Cyberport Creative Micro Fund encourages innovation and creativity in Hong Kong.
Cyberport Esports
Esports in Hong Kong is an emerging new sector with rapid development in recent years, with high economic potential.
Cyberport Incubation Programme
Cyberport Incubation Programme supports entrepreneurs and start-ups with resources that aim to accelerate their growth.
Cyberport Macro Fund (CMF)
The CMF is an investment fund which targets to co-invest with other private and public investors in the Cyberport digital entrepreneurs.
Cyberport Tech Career Placement and Internship Programme (TCPIP)
Cyberport believes in the potential of Hong Kong’s burgeoning tech talents and supports entrepreneurs and dreamers alike.
Cyberport University Partnership Programme (CUPP)
The Cyberport University Partnership Programme (CUPP) is a life-changing experience to unleash participants’ full potential and gain insights into the global market! This financial technology (FinTech)-focused entrepreneurship programme offers students who are nominated by CUPP university partners of Cyberport a unique chance to participate in an Entrepreneurship Boot Camp overseas and receive mentorship from industry elites.
Overseas/Mainland Market Development Support Scheme (MDSS)
To continuously support Cyberport community companies, 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.
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.
“Four-in-One” SME Centres
Since the integration of the existing SME Service Centres on 1 October 2019, a more effective “four-in-one” integrated service is launched.
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
Cyberport is an innovative digital community with about 1,500 technology companies. It is managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, which is wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government.
Hong Kong Design Centre
As the HKSAR’s strategic partner in promoting design, HKDC is a publicly-funded design promotion agency tasked to run and grow Hong Kong’s flagship programmes – Business of Design Week, Knowledge of Design Week, Fashion Asia Hong Kong, Design Incubation Programme & Fashion Incubation Programme, DFA Awards, and fostering creative and design thinking.
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)
We empower the innovation and technology ecosystem in Hong Kong through a host of strategic initiatives.
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.
InvestHK
InvestHK’s vision is to strengthen Hong Kong’s status as the leading international business location in Asia.
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
The E&M InnoPortal was launched to facilitate the strengthening of collaboration between government departments and public bodies with the I&T sector to encourage the application innovative technology to improve services and support smart city development.
Smart Government Innovation LAB
The Smart LAB provides a platform to connect government departments with the information technology (IT) sector, particularly local start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to help departments leverage on the innovation and technical solutions from the industry to formulate innovative measures for enhancing the quality and efficiency of public services.