Government Funding Scheme & Support
The Hong Kong Government spares no effort in promoting I&T development. With a commitment of over HK$100 billion, it has stepped up funding support for I&T development by developing I&T infrastructure, promoting research and development (R&D), pooling talent, support entreprises and promoting re-industrialisation.
- 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
- Marketing Development/Business Upgrading
- GBA-foused Schemes
- 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 novel coronavirus epidemic has brought exceptional challenges to Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has responded to the needs of the public and the society in an unprecedented manner. Our objectives are: first, to help businesses stay afloat; second, to keep workers in employment; third, to relieve financial burdens of individuals and businesses; and fourth, to assist the economy to recover once the epidemic is contained.
The Government has launched a few rounds of measures to assist the affected industries and the public, including:
- The first round of the $30 billion Anti-epidemic Fund approved by the Legislative Council on 21 February 2020
- The $120 billion relief package in the 2020-21 Budget announced by the Financial Secretary on 26 February 2020
- The second round of the $137.5 billion Anti-epidemic Fund measures approved by the Legislative Council on 18 April 2020
- The third round of $24 billion Anti-epidemic Fund and other measures announced on 15 September 2020
- The fourth round of $6.4 billion Anti-epidemic Fund approved by the Legislative Council on 21 December 2020
- The fifth round of $3.57 billion Anti-epidemic Fund measures announced on 14 January 2022
- The sixth round of $27 billion Anti-epidemic Fund measures approved by the Legislative Council on 15 February 2022
- 2022 Employment Support Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund will accept applications from 29 April 2022
Besides, the Anti-epidemic Fund Steering Committee approved a number of measures having regard to the development of the pandemic and the actual business situation of various industries.
Anti-Epidemic Fund - Startups and I&T Related Only
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.
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.
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
The $100 million Maritime and Aviation Training Fund (MATF) approved by the Legislative Council in January 2014 came into operation on 1 April 2014. The aim is to build up in due course a vibrant, diversified and competitive pool of professionals and technical personnel to support Hong Kong’s future development in the two 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.
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
Applying for a standard patent
The owner of a Hong Kong patent can take civil action to prevent any person from using the patented invention in the Hong Kong SAR without permission.
Free IP Consultation Service
The Intellectual Property Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, with support from the Law Society of Hong Kong, provides FREE One-On-One IP Consultation Service for Hong Kong small and medium enterprises (SMEs*).
IP Manager Scheme PLUS
In a knowledge-based economy, intellectual property (IP) is becoming increasingly important in promoting business development.
Patent Application Grant
PAG aims to encourage local companies and inventors to capitalise their intellectual work through patent registration.
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.
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.
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.
GBA-foused Schemes
Funding Scheme for Experiential Programmes at Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases in the GBA
Under the “Youth Development Fund”, the funded NGOs in Hong Kong will organise short-term experiential programmes at the innovation and entrepreneurial bases in Mainland GBA cities.
Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
Under the “Youth Development Fund”, the funded NGOs will collaborate with about 70 entrepreneurial bases in Hong Kong and the Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area in order to offer entrepreneurial support and incubation services to Hong Kong young people who intend to start their businesses in various industries and cities.
Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme
To encourage and support young people to work and pursue their career in the Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area (“GBA”), the Chief Executive announced in the 2020 Policy Address the launch of the Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme.
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.
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.
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
Design Incubation Programme (DIP) is a two-year programme that helps startups from across the design world navigate and overcome challenges in the critical early stages of business development.
Fashion Incubation Programme (FIP)
The Fashion Incubation Programme (FIP) is a two-year programme dedicated to inspiring, empowering and supporting emerging fashion designers and brands.
Green Tech Fund
HK$200 million would be allocated for setting up the new GTF to provide better and more focused funding support for the R&D and green technologies.
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.
Smart Traffic Fund
The $1 billion Smart Traffic Fund provides funding support to local organisations and enterprises for conducting research and application of innovation and technology with the objectives of enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing road network or road space efficiency, and improving driving safety.
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 ACCELERATION PROGRAMME
The Acceleration Programme 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.
HKSTP Incubation
HKSTP INCUBATION is a programme that helps technology startups kickstart their journey to productize its R&D outcomes, explore the market and scale their businesses.
HKSTP VENTURE FUND
Growth is collective. The collaboration between the public and private sectors is fundamental to the healthy growth of our startup ecosystem.
Ideation
Turn your brilliant ideas into reality and launch successful ventures with IDEATION, our one-year startup support programme for tech-focused entrepreneurs.
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.
TechnoPreneur Partnership Programme (TPP)
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 over 1,650 start-ups and 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 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 Placement and Internship Programme
Cyberport is committed to nurturing technology talents and providing development and training opportunities to local youngsters, with a view to expanding Hong Kong’s innovation and technology talent pool.
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 1,650 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
Fintech Proof-of-Concept Subsidy Scheme
The PoC Scheme aims to encourage traditional financial institutions to partner up with Fintech companies to conduct PoC projects on innovative financial service products.
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.