Last reviewed 6 Oct 2026
Hong Kong has more public money for early-stage tech than most founders realise, but it is spread across the two science parks, the universities and the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF). This guide groups it by stage. Amounts change between intakes, so treat the figures as a starting point and confirm on each official page. For when each one next opens and closes, see programme deadlines.
The usual path
Most funded tech startups in Hong Kong follow one of two ladders:
| Stage | HKSTP route | Cyberport route | University route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idea | Ideation: up to HK$100,000 grant, 1 year | Creative Micro Fund: HK$100,000 grant | Your university’s pre-incubation |
| Early company | Incubation: up to HK$1.29 million, 3 years | Incubation Programme: funding and rental subsidy, 24 months | TSSSU funding, up to 3 years |
| Raising a round | HKSTP Venture Fund co-investment | Cyberport Macro Fund co-investment | Private investors plus ITVF partners |
Pick the park whose community fits your company. HKSTP’s programmes centre on R&D in ICT, electronics, green tech, biomedical and engineering; Cyberport’s on digital tech such as fintech, AI and Web3.
Grants for an idea
HKSTP Ideation. A one-year pre-incubation programme with up to HK$100,000 in grant funding. You can apply as an individual (HKID holder, 18 or over), as a team that incorporates a Hong Kong limited company within two weeks of approval, or as a company set up less than two years before you apply. You need an R&D-backed idea and a business plan.
Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF). A HK$100,000 grant plus support for digital tech projects and very early startups. The Hong Kong programme runs in yearly intakes: the 2026 round closed on 1 April 2026, with pitches in May and results in June. Watch the Cyberport page for the next intake.
University schemes. If you are a student, graduate or researcher, start with your university’s entrepreneurship office. The government’s Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU) funds university start-ups through the local universities: in 2024-25, TSSSU-O awarded up to HK$700,000 a year and TSSSU+ up to HK$1.5 million a year in matching funds, each for up to three years. See the incubators guide for each university’s programme.
Funding while you build
HKSTP Incubation Programme. Three years, with up to HK$1.29 million for technology and business development, lab and equipment access, mentoring, investor matching and a rental subsidy for space at Science Park or InnoCentre. You need a validated MVP or prototype and R&D in ICT, electronics, green technology or precision engineering (biotech has its own track). Overseas founders are welcome but need a Hong Kong business registration.
Cyberport Incubation Programme. A 24-month programme for digital tech start-ups with financial support, a rental subsidy for space at Cyberport, mentoring and investor networks. Check the Cyberport page for the current amounts.
Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS). For Hong Kong-incorporated companies doing in-house R&D. It funds up to HK$10 million per project on a dollar-for-dollar basis (you match every dollar), for projects of up to 24 months. It suits companies that already have revenue or investors, since you must fund half.
Equity: public money alongside private investors
None of these invest on their own; they follow a private lead investor.
- Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF): a HK$2 billion government fund that co-invests with approved venture capital partners in local I&T start-ups, at roughly HK$1 of government money for every HK$2 from the partner. The enhanced scheme focuses on AI and data science, life and health technology, and advanced manufacturing and new energy. If a VC on the ITVF partner list is interested, ask whether they will use it.
- Cyberport Macro Fund: a HK$400 million fund that co-invests in Cyberport start-ups past the seed stage, from HK$1 million up to HK$20 million in total per company.
- HKSTP Venture Fund: HKSTP’s corporate venture fund, co-investing with private investors in HKSTP companies.
See all investors and programmes, with links, on the investors page.
Closed or changed
Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) stopped accepting new applications after 31 December 2024. Many older blog posts still recommend it. The government says other bureaux now run more targeted schemes; the ITF programme list links to what is currently open.
Tips that save a rejected application
- Read the eligibility page twice. Most rejections are about company age, ownership or where the work happens, not the idea.
- Match the park to your sector. A fintech app has a better story at Cyberport; a hardware or biotech company at Science Park.
- Plan cash flow. Many schemes pay in instalments or reimburse costs after you spend them.
- Keep records from day one. Every scheme audits spending, and clean books make the next application easier.