Where to Apply for Startup Funding in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong’s startup investment ecosystem has grown significantly over the past decade. In fact, it is actively encouraged through progressive regulatory policies, R&D support and financial hiring assistance. As a result, there are multiple public and private funding schemes in Hong Kong which provide an ideal platform for startups to rapidly grow and expand. Luckily, FundFluent has helped us summarize below a list of funding options available for Hong Kong-based startups!
This guide to startup funding options in Hong Kong is the last one to complete our 3-part startup fundraising series. If you haven’t yet read Part 1 and Part 2, view it first here!
Part One: First, Identify Your Startup’s Funding Stage!
Part Two: Second, Get Prepared for Funding with our Checklist!
Early-Stage Startup Funding Options in HK
If you are an early-stage startup looking for an incubation program or financial grants in order to bring your company from ideation to launch, here are the funding options available for you in Hong Kong, curated by FundFluent:
From idea to launch
- CCMF (Cyberport Creative Micro Fund Professional Programme)
- CCMF-HKYEP (CCMF Hong Kong Young Entrepreneur Program) for 18-30-year-olds
- GBA Young Entrepreneurship Program (Cyberport Greater Bay Area Young Entrepreneurship Programme)
- HKSTP Ideation
Incubation programs
- CIP (Cyberport Incubation Programme)
- HKSTP Incubation for technology startups
- HKSTP Incu-bio for biomedical technology startups
- TSSSU (Technology Startup Support Scheme for Universities)
Post-Seed Funding Options in Hong Kong
Now that you have launched and your startup has progressed into a post-revenue business with a strong focus on growth and scaling, you will have to look for a slightly different set of funding sources. Take a look at the list below, curated by FundFluent, of post-seed funding options dedicated to supporting the R&D and market expansion of Hong Kong-based startups:
Technology startups (with R&D spending)
- RTH (Research Talent Hub) for R&D in tech companies
- ESS (Enterprise Support Scheme) for R&D in private sectors
- PRP (Partnership Research Programme) for partnerships between industry & R&D centres
- PSTS (Public Sector Trial Scheme) for later-stage R&D
- STEM Internship Scheme to facilitate the hiring of STEM students
Startup growth & expansion
- BUD – Mainland Program (Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading & Domestic Sales) for HK business expansion into Mainland China
- BUD – FTA & IPPA Programs to facilitate the worldwide expansion of business operations
- EMF (Export Marketing Fund) to extend the market reach of small & medium-sized businesses beyond HK
- TVP (Technical & Vocational Training Program) to aid technology adoption in small local businesses
About FundFluent
FundFluent is a data platform that helps small businesses access funding. The platform brings the opportunities for grants, loans, and financing visible in one place.
Small businesses, startups, social impact businesses, and nonprofits are using FundFluent to get matched with funding options, as it also helps with structuring your documents and data for easier funding applications. Access Hong Kong’s most extensive list of small business-friendly funding options now!
How to get started
Accessing funding information and checking eligibility is a free service on the FundFluent platform.
- Create your free account here – link
- Browse funding options
- Submit information or documents to check for an eligibility check
- Access funding, grow your business
The team is always happy to chat, and you can contact them on WhatsApp directly here.
