Editorial strategy

Combine Hong Kong startup support without collecting subsidies

Build an executable route by company type and stage, showing what can follow what and which costs must never be claimed twice.

50verified programmes

2026-08-25Last verified

Primary sourcesGovernment, official bodies, universities and programme sites

Official facts

Amounts, durations and eligibility come from the cited primary source and carry a verification date. Intake status and terms can still change, so recheck the current guide before applying.

Editorial analysis

Suggested combinations are this site's analysis, not a government promise. Select by stage, cash flow, milestones and administrative cost.

Four constraints

Every stack should pass four tests.

Programme fit: the business genuinely serves the policy objective.
Cash flow: the company can carry matching and pre-reimbursement costs.
Compliance: milestones, procurement, reporting and audits are manageable.
Capital: equity, debt and founder control remain acceptable.

Stackable does not mean double claimable

Good stacks use different instruments for different costs.

Incubator plus cloud credits plus non-overlapping talent remuneration.
University IP plus TSSSU, then HKSTP and independent VC.
ESS R&D, followed by PSTS trial and later market expansion.
BUD market work plus approved debt, without charging one invoice to two public sources.

When not to apply

Declining a poor-fit programme is a strategy.

Preparation, audit and opportunity cost exceed the award.
The application forces premature hiring or product drift.
Matching cash would compress runway dangerously.
Investment terms damage the next financing round.

Official facts

Programme matrix

Compare instrument, stage, published support, equity and matching. N/A means no universal rule was published, not that there is no restriction.

High-risk amount and eligibility fields retain their verified canonical English wording so translation does not alter the rule; names, summaries and fit guidance are localized.

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TypeStage

Programme	Type / Stage	Published support	Equity / Matching	Best for	Official source
AWS ActivateAmazon Web Services AWS service credits based on stage and ecosystem affiliation; they are not cash for payroll or other vendors. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Credit validity depends on the awarded package Company age / eligibility Founded within the last 10 years Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Provider-backed tiers may be accessible through an eligible VC or accelerator; credits reduce AWS bills rather than fund payroll. Double funding / cash-flow restriction One-time and prior-credit limits apply; covered services and overage billing remain subject to AWS terms.	Service creditIdea / Pre-MVP / MVP / Pre-seed / Seed / Early growthActive	Activate Founders up to US$5,000; Activate Portfolio up to US$200,000 with an eligible provider Org ID	Equity: NoMatching: No	Technology startups building on AWS and reducing infrastructure burn.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
BUD FundTrade and Industry Department / HKPC Matching support for branding, business upgrading and market development by Hong Kong enterprises. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement Substantive business operations in Hong Kong must be demonstrated Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note Can support branding, upgrading and market development in covered economies; it is not limited to technology companies. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Approved costs require enterprise contribution and evidence. An optional initial payment is limited and the balance remains tied to approved expenditure.	Market expansionSeed / Early growth / Series A / Scale-upActive	Up to HK$7 million cumulative government funding per enterprise	Equity: NoMatching: 1 government : 3 enterprise from 15 June 2026	E-commerce, consumer, professional-service and technology companies with a defined market project and matching cash.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HK Tech 300 Angel FundCity University of Hong Kong Equity investment in eligible HK Tech 300 companies, with workspace and ecosystem support where applicable. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement HK Tech 300 eligibility and diligence apply Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note May follow the Seed Fund; CityU or its nominee receives shares under the published guidelines. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Founders must treat this as investment dilution, not grant income.	InvestmentPre-seed / SeedActive	Up to HK$1 million investment	Equity: YesMatching: N/A	CityU startups that have validated the concept and are ready for initial institutional equity.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HK Tech 300 Seed FundCity University of Hong Kong Early seed support for CityU-connected teams validating technology and a business model. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Generally 6 to 12 months Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement CityU relationship or CityU intellectual property eligibility applies Payment basis N/A Stackability note Designed as a validation step before later angel investment or incubation. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Use of funds and milestones follow the current cohort agreement.	GrantIdea / Pre-MVP / MVP / Pre-seedActive	Up to HK$100,000	Equity: NoMatching: No	CityU-linked or CityU-IP teams at the prototype stage.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Cloudflare for StartupsCloudflare Tiered Cloudflare product credits with product caps, exclusions and automatic overage billing rules. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Up to 1 year or until credits are consumed Company age / eligibility Founded within the last 10 years; other funding and recency limits vary by tier Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Self-funded startups can apply for the entry tier; higher tiers require an affiliated partner and funding thresholds. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Product-specific caps and exclusions apply, a payment method is required, and overages may be billed automatically.	Service creditMVP / Pre-seed / Seed / Early growthActive	US$10,000, US$100,000 or up to US$350,000 credits depending on tier	Equity: NoMatching: No	Product technology companies using edge compute, security, storage or AI infrastructure.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
CreateSmart InitiativeCultural and Creative Industries Development Agency Supports projects benefiting a creative-industry sector, not ordinary operating costs for a single YouTube channel. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note Projects must benefit a creative-industry sector rather than only one private company; an ordinary content channel is usually not enough. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Project elements already funded by other government sources are not eligible; approved funding is generally for non-recurrent expenditure.	GrantSeed / Early growthActive	N/A	Equity: NoMatching: N/A	Creative-industry organisations or companies able to demonstrate sector-wide benefit.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
CUHK Pi Centre PILOTS Lite x HKSTP Co-IdeationThe Chinese University of Hong Kong Pi Centre / HKSTP Seed support, training and workspace for a CUHK student-led team that has not yet incorporated. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration 1 year Company age / eligibility Applicant team must not already have a company or business registration at application Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement Person-in-charge must be a current CUHK student under the published programme Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note This is a co-ideation route for a pre-company team and may lead into later incubation after incorporation. Double funding / cash-flow restriction The cohort's own funding and incorporation rules control.	IncubatorIdea / Pre-MVP / MVPActive	Up to HK$130,000 seed funding under the published 2026 programme	Equity: NoMatching: No	CUHK student teams validating a technology venture before company formation.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Cyberport Accelerator Support Programme (CASP)Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited Partial reimbursement for eligible Cyberport companies admitted to an endorsed accelerator. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note This support is tied to admission to a Cyberport-endorsed accelerator and eligible expense categories. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Only eligible, documented accelerator costs may be reimbursed; the same cost cannot be claimed elsewhere.	AcceleratorSeed / Early growth / Series A / Scale-upActive	Up to HK$300,000	Equity: NoMatching: Published subsidy rates vary by expense category, commonly 75% and 50%	Cyberport companies entering an external accelerator and incurring eligible programme or market costs.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF)Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited A six-month digital-tech proof-of-concept grant paid at commencement, interim and completion stages. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration 6 months Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement An individual main applicant must hold a Hong Kong identity card and be at least 18; admitted company projects must use a Hong Kong company Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note The programme guide excludes the same or substantially similar project from specified parallel seed/incubation programmes. Double funding / cash-flow restriction The current guide specifically restricts duplicate support for the same or substantially similar project.	GrantIdea / Pre-MVP / MVPActive	Up to HK$100,000	Equity: NoMatching: No	Individuals or small teams turning a digital idea into a prototype.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Cyberport Incubation Programme (CIP)Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited A two-year digital-tech incubation programme. Cyberport currently warns that the programme is being enhanced and terms may change. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration 24 months Company age / eligibility Less than 7 years old, or incorporate after admission Staff requirement Maintain substantive Hong Kong presence through a founder/co-founder or full-time staff Founder requirement Founders collectively hold at least 51% or retain absolute control under the published guide Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note Related Cyberport market, accelerator and talent support may follow separate eligibility rules. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Eligible expenditure requires evidence and must not be claimed from another public source; confirm the enhanced programme terms before applying.	IncubatorMVP / Pre-seed / SeedNeeds review	Up to HK$500,000 financial assistance plus up to HK$200,000 on-site rental subsidy under the currently published terms	Equity: NoMatching: No	Hong Kong startups targeting a market-ready digital product within 12–18 months.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Cyberport Macro FundHong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited Co-investment equity capital for scalable Hong Kong digital-tech companies in the Cyberport community. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Co-investment is evaluated as venture capital and must be coordinated with the company's financing round. Double funding / cash-flow restriction This is equity investment, not a public expense reimbursement.	InvestmentSeed / Early growth / Series A / Scale-upActive	HK$1 million to HK$20 million per investment	Equity: YesMatching: N/A	Digital-tech companies raising seed through Series A or later rounds.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Overseas/Mainland Market Development Support SchemeHong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited Reimbursement support for eligible Cyberport companies expanding beyond Hong Kong. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration 24-month support period Company age / eligibility Cyberport programme alumnus generally within 5 years; other programme-specific conditions apply Staff requirement Substantive Hong Kong technology operations Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note Can complement incubation, but only approved market-development activities are reimbursable. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Expenses must not be funded by another public source and are subject to supporting evidence.	Market expansionSeed / Early growth / Series A / Scale-upActive	Up to HK$200,000	Equity: NoMatching: N/A	Cyberport companies with a product ready for Mainland or overseas markets.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
GitHub for StartupsGitHub Partner-referred GitHub platform credits for externally funded early-stage companies. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Up to 12 months Company age / eligibility Outside funding up to Series B; new to GitHub Enterprise and no prior GitHub startup credits Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Requires referral through an approved investor, accelerator or incubator partner. Double funding / cash-flow restriction One-time benefit, valid payment method and automatic paid billing after expiry or credit exhaustion apply.	Service creditPre-seed / Seed / Early growthActive	US$10,000 in flexible GitHub platform credits	Equity: NoMatching: No	Engineering teams needing Enterprise, Copilot, Actions and security tooling.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Google for Startups Cloud ProgramGoogle Cloud Tiered Google Cloud credits based on MVP, funding and AI profile; qualifying institutional capital matters for Scale. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Credits are staged over 1 or 2 years depending on tier Company age / eligibility Start tier generally under 24 months; Scale tier generally founded within 5 years Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Scale eligibility relies on qualifying institutional funding; government grants alone do not qualify as Scale investment. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Personal blogs, consultancies and agencies are excluded. Credits cover eligible Google Cloud services, not general expenses.	Service creditMVP / Pre-seed / Seed / Early growthActive	Start tier up to US$2,000; Scale tier up to US$200,000, or up to US$350,000 for eligible AI startups	Equity: NoMatching: No	Digital-native startups with a product roadmap using Google Cloud or Gemini.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Green Tech FundEnvironment and Ecology Bureau Matching support for decarbonisation and environmental R&D, with company funding exhausted before the first government disbursement. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Up to 3 years for company applicants Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note Suitable for substantial environmental R&D, not general ESG consulting or ordinary green marketing. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Milestone reporting, audits and cost separation apply; the 2026 round closed on 13 February 2026.	GrantSeed / Early growthTemporarily paused	HK$2.5 million to HK$20 million for a company project	Equity: NoMatching: Company contributes at least one-third of total project cost	Green-tech projects with measurable environmental benefit, R&D, trials and commercial potential.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HKBU Start-up SaturdayHong Kong Baptist University Training, incubation and small reimbursable seed support for an HKBU student-led team. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement Team of at least 2 people under published rules Founder requirement At least one HKBU student acts as person-in-charge Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note A small validation award that can precede larger university or incubation programmes. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Only approved documented expenses are reimbursed.	GrantIdea / Pre-MVP / MVPActive	Up to HK$30,000 reimbursement seed funding	Equity: NoMatching: No	HKBU student teams testing a business concept at low cost.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HKPC SME One / ReachOutHong Kong Productivity Council A central advisory point for public funding, digital transformation and SME support; it is not an award itself. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Advisory support can be used before a company chooses a grant, loan or technology service. Double funding / cash-flow restriction SME One is an information and consultation service; it is not itself a funding award.	Advisory / matchingIdea / Pre-MVP / MVP / Pre-seed / Seed / Early growthActive	N/A	Equity: NoMatching: No	Companies that need to map eligibility and documents before selecting a programme.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HKSTP Co-Acceleration ProgrammeHong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation An invitation-only equity investment and industry collaboration programme for more mature deep-tech ventures. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration 2 years Company age / eligibility Pre-Series A to Series B Staff requirement At least 50% technical staff Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note This is investment capital, not a grant; its terms must be assessed alongside any existing investors and public awards. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Investment proceeds and public reimbursements remain subject to separate use-of-funds and cost-claim rules.	InvestmentSeed / Early growth / Series A / Series B+ / Scale-upInvitation only	Up to HK$15.6 million equity investment	Equity: YesMatching: N/A	Pre-A to Series B deep-tech companies with commercial traction.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HKSTP Ideation ProgrammeHong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation A one-year early-stage technology validation programme with milestone-based grant tranches. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration 1 year Company age / eligibility Hong Kong company less than 2 years old at application; an admitted team must incorporate within 2 weeks Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement Individual applicant must hold a Hong Kong identity card and be at least 18 Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Check the terms of any other seed or incubation support before claiming the same project costs. Double funding / cash-flow restriction The current public page does not give a universal cross-programme stacking rule; applicants must check their award agreement.	IncubatorIdea / Pre-MVP / MVPActive	Up to HK$100,000	Equity: NoMatching: No	Technology teams still validating the product and business case.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HKSTP Incu-Bio ProgrammeHong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation A four-year incubation route for biotechnology ventures with longer R&D and commercialisation cycles. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration 4 years Company age / eligibility Business valuation up to US$5 million Staff requirement More than 2 full-time employees and at least 50% technical staff Founder requirement N/A Payment basis N/A Stackability note University, research-talent and R&D support may complement the programme subject to separate approvals and cost separation. Double funding / cash-flow restriction The same expense must not be claimed twice; current award terms control.	IncubatorMVP / Pre-seed / SeedActive	Up to HK$6 million	Equity: N/AMatching: N/A	Biotechnology, health technology and life-science startups.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HKSTP Incubation ProgrammeHong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation A three-year technology incubation programme. The current site states total support, not the old cash-versus-rent split. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration 3 years Company age / eligibility Business valuation up to US$5 million Staff requirement More than 2 full-time employees and at least 50% technical staff Founder requirement No public founder minimum shareholding rule was located on the current programme page Payment basis N/A Stackability note Related talent and R&D schemes may be available, but each cost can only be claimed where the relevant programme permits it. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Do not reuse the same expenditure across public funding claims; verify the current agreement and application guide.	IncubatorMVP / Pre-seed / SeedActive	Up to HK$1.29 million total support; the current public page does not publish a cash-grant/rental split	Equity: N/AMatching: N/A	Technology startups with a team, product and commercialisation plan.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HKSTP Venture FundHong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Direct or co-investment in Hong Kong I&T companies; this is equity capital, not a grant. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note May co-invest with private investors; investment documents govern dilution, rights and use of proceeds. Double funding / cash-flow restriction A venture investment is not a reimbursable grant, but grant-funded costs still require clean accounting.	InvestmentSeed / Early growth / Series A / Scale-upActive	Investment amount is deal-specific; HKSTP states a HK$1 billion fund size	Equity: YesMatching: N/A	I&T companies seeking institutional equity and fitting the fund mandate.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HKUST Entrepreneurship FundHong Kong University of Science and Technology Minority equity investment in qualifying HKUST startups, not a prize or reimbursement grant. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility Generally no more than 5 years under published programme material Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement HKUST members collectively own at least 10% under published programme material Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note This is minority equity investment and should be modelled with other rounds and university IP arrangements. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Investment terms and diligence apply; it is not a reimbursable university grant.	InvestmentPre-seed / SeedActive	Official programme material describes initial investment of up to HK$2 million per startup	Equity: YesMatching: N/A	Companies with an HKUST founder or technology link that are ready for equity investment.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HKUST-Sino One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship CompetitionHong Kong University of Science and Technology An annual university venture competition offering cash prizes, feedback and visibility. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Annual competition Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement Annual competition eligibility and HKUST connection rules apply Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note A competition award may precede incubation or investment; winners must still check downstream programme rules. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Cash awards are paid in published tranches and progress conditions apply.	GrantIdea / Pre-MVP / MVP / Pre-seedActive	2026 top cash awards: HK$400,000, HK$200,000 and HK$100,000	Equity: NoMatching: No	HKUST-connected early teams ready to test their venture story through competition.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HSITP Incubation ProgrammeHong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park A three-stream programme launched in 2026 for life and health technology, AI and data science. No universal per-company amount is published in the launch material. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration SPIN: 1 year; IGNITE: 2 to 4 years; GAS: 3 to 4 years Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis N/A Stackability note The first cohort is delivered through six programme partners. Any combination with other public support remains subject to the partner agreement and cost separation. Double funding / cash-flow restriction The launch release does not publish one universal per-company amount, equity term or cross-programme funding rule.	IncubatorIdea / Pre-MVP / MVP / Pre-seed / Seed / Early growthActive	N/A	Equity: N/AMatching: N/A	Relevant technology startups planning R&D, validation and commercialisation in the Hetao Hong Kong Park.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Global Fast TrackInvest Hong Kong InvestHK business matching, pitching and market-readiness support; the official programme is not presented as a cash grant. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Cohort and event based Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Business matching and market-readiness support can complement accelerators and fundraising. Double funding / cash-flow restriction The official 2026 announcement describes matching, pitching and market-entry support, not a cash award.	Market expansionSeed / Early growth / Series A / Scale-upActive	N/A	Equity: NoMatching: No	Scalable companies seeking Asian customers, partners, investors or a Hong Kong landing point.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
InvestHK startup and landing supportInvest Hong Kong Free setup, expansion and ecosystem guidance for overseas and Mainland companies; this is not cash funding. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Advisory and connection support can sit alongside funding applications because it is not a cash award. Double funding / cash-flow restriction InvestHK states that its setup and expansion services are free; this entry does not represent grant funding.	Advisory / matchingIdea / Pre-MVP / MVP / Pre-seed / Seed / Early growthActive	N/A	Equity: NoMatching: No	International founders entering Hong Kong and needing setup context or ecosystem introductions.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS)Innovation and Technology Commission Dollar-for-dollar support for in-house R&D by Hong Kong companies; it is not general operating capital. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Normally up to 24 months Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note May pair with eligible R&D talent or cash-rebate support where each scheme permits and budgets remain separate. Double funding / cash-flow restriction ESS funds a defined R&D project and requires matching, records, reports and audits; the same cost cannot be funded twice.	GrantSeed / Early growthActive	Up to HK$10 million per project	Equity: NoMatching: 1 government : 1 company	Companies with a defined technical risk, R&D work plan, budget and commercialisation path.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF)Innovation and Technology Commission Government-backed co-investment through selected fund managers, not a grant that a startup applies for directly. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Startups receive investment through participating fund managers, not a direct grant application to ITC. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Investment terms, dilution and fund diligence apply separately from any public R&D award.	InvestmentSeed / Early growth / Series ANeeds review	No fixed startup cheque published; the enhanced fund-manager model redeploys HK$1.5 billion	Equity: YesMatching: At fund level, HK$1 government for every HK$3 raised by selected fund managers	Hong Kong I&T companies raising institutional capital within participating fund mandates.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS)Innovation and Technology Commission Large-scale matching support for smart production facilities in strategic industries, far beyond ordinary startup grant thresholds. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Normally up to 36 months Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note This is a large industrialisation facility programme, not an ordinary startup grant. Double funding / cash-flow restriction A project requires at least HK$150 million total cost and at least HK$100 million enterprise contribution; funded costs cannot overlap.	Subsidy / rebateEarly growth / Series A / Scale-upActive	Up to HK$200 million total support across up to 2 projects; project-level terms apply	Equity: NoMatching: 1 government : 2 company	Industrial companies able to commit at least HK$100 million of eligible enterprise funding in Hong Kong.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
New Industrialisation Funding Scheme (NIFS)Innovation and Technology Commission Matching support for setting up a new smart production line in Hong Kong. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Normally up to 24 months Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note Designed for production-line capital expenditure, not ordinary software development or early MVP work. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Only approved production-line costs are eligible and cannot be claimed under another public scheme.	Subsidy / rebateEarly growth / Series A / Scale-upActive	Up to one-third of approved project cost or HK$15 million per project, whichever is lower	Equity: NoMatching: 1 government : 2 company	Businesses with a manufacturing plan, capital budget and Hong Kong production site.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Public Sector Trial Scheme for Technology Companies (PSTS-TC)Innovation and Technology Commission Supports real-world public-sector trials of R&D outcomes primarily developed in Hong Kong. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Normally up to 12 months Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note Useful after R&D when a public body can conduct a real trial; it is not generic product-development funding. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Trial expenditure and the underlying R&D costs must remain distinct from other funded projects.	GrantMVP / Seed / Early growthActive	Up to HK$1 million per project	Equity: NoMatching: No	Technology companies with a deployable prototype and a credible public-sector trial setting.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
R&D Cash Rebate Scheme (CRS)Innovation and Technology Commission A 40% rebate on eligible enterprise expenditure in qualifying ITF or partnership R&D projects. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Application generally within 2 years after project completion Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note The rebate is expressly linked to eligible ITF or partnership R&D expenditure, including eligible ESS in-house R&D. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Only qualifying expenditure is rebated; ordinary product customisation, business automation and non-scientific work are excluded for partnership projects.	Subsidy / rebateSeed / Early growth / Series AActive	40% cash rebate of eligible enterprise expenditure	Equity: NoMatching: No	Hong Kong enterprises that have funded qualifying R&D and maintain complete evidence.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Research Talent Hub for Technology Companies (RTH-TC)Innovation and Technology Commission Reimburses eligible full-time R&D talent remuneration. Founders, shareholders and management cannot be the subsidised talent. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Generally up to 36 months per research talent Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement Up to 4 full-time research talents at one time; STEM degree and R&D work requirements apply Founder requirement A proprietor, partner, shareholder, management member or their relative cannot be engaged as the subsidised research talent Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note Can support eligible R&D hiring while other approved projects fund distinct project costs. Double funding / cash-flow restriction The allowance must fund the actual remuneration of the approved full-time talent; no duplicate salary claim is permitted.	TalentMVP / Pre-seed / Seed / Early growthActive	Monthly salary allowance up to HK$20,000 (bachelor), HK$23,000 (master) or HK$35,000 (doctorate), plus up to HK$10,000 doctoral living allowance	Equity: NoMatching: No	Technology companies conducting substantive Hong Kong R&D and hiring STEM graduates.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
STEM Internship SchemeInnovation and Technology Commission A university-administered allowance for eligible STEM student internships; it is not unrestricted cash paid to the startup. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Up to 90 days per academic year Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement Internship and student eligibility are administered by participating institutions Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note An employer may combine interns with other team members, but cannot claim the same wage cost under another public scheme. Double funding / cash-flow restriction ITC reimburses participating institutions; allowance delivery to the student follows the institution's arrangements, not a direct startup cash grant.	InternshipMVP / Pre-seed / Seed / Early growthActive	HK$11,790 per month from 1 April 2026, for up to 90 days per academic year subject to institution arrangements	Equity: NoMatching: No	Employers able to provide substantive, supervised STEM internships.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU)Innovation and Technology Commission University-channelled funding for teams commercialising technology and R&D outcomes at six participating universities. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Up to 6 years in total across TSSSU-O and TSSSU+ (up to 3 years per component) Company age / eligibility Generally not more than 2 years for TSSSU-O or 7 years for TSSSU+ at the relevant deadline Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement A qualifying university relationship and the university's own selection requirements apply Payment basis Reimbursement based Stackability note University and incubator support may be complementary, but every award and cost item must satisfy its own terms. Double funding / cash-flow restriction TSSSU+ private investment matching and the reimbursable period are time-bound; the same cost cannot be publicly funded twice.	GrantIdea / Pre-MVP / MVP / Pre-seed / SeedActive	Up to HK$1.5 million per startup per year for up to 3 years under TSSSU-O, followed by up to 3 further years under matching-fund TSSSU+	Equity: NoMatching: TSSSU+ only: dollar-for-dollar against qualifying private investment	Technology startups with a qualifying university relationship, IP or research output.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Microsoft for StartupsMicrosoft Azure credits, technical guidance and go-to-market resources for private startups that own a software product. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility Not Series C or later under current eligibility Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note A Hong Kong software company may apply because Azure is available in the jurisdiction, subject to programme approval. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Consultancies, agencies and organisations without an owned software product are excluded; credits cover Azure usage, not cash expenses.	Service creditMVP / Pre-seed / Seed / Early growthActive	Investor Network referrals may unlock up to US$150,000 in Azure credits; approved offer varies	Equity: NoMatching: No	B2B, software or AI product startups building on Azure.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
NVIDIA InceptionNVIDIA A free, no-equity AI startup ecosystem programme; the public page does not promise one universal cash or credit amount. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility Less than 10 years old Staff requirement At least 1 developer and a working website Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Free technical, training, partner and investor-network benefits can complement cloud credits and incubators. Double funding / cash-flow restriction NVIDIA does not promise one universal cash or cloud-credit amount on the public programme page.	Advisory / matchingMVP / Pre-seed / Seed / Early growthActive	N/A	Equity: NoMatching: No	Incorporated companies building AI, data-science or accelerated-computing products.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment FundThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University Equity, convertible or SAFE investment in eligible PolyU ventures, with final terms set by transaction documents. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement PolyU member ownership or PolyU intellectual property requirement applies Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Equity, convertible or SAFE instruments may be used under the programme; founders should model dilution and university IP rights. Double funding / cash-flow restriction This is investment, not a general grant; transaction documents govern the final structure.	InvestmentPre-seed / Seed / Early growth / Series AActive	Up to HK$4 million per company under published programme information	Equity: YesMatching: N/A	Companies with a PolyU team or IP connection that are ready for investment.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
PolyU Micro FundThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University Early seed support from PolyU; any linked incubation support requires a separate application and is not automatic. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement PolyU relationship and annual cohort rules apply Payment basis N/A Stackability note PolyU promotes pathways into HKSTP, but those programmes require separate admission and should not be counted as automatic Micro Fund cash. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Treat the PolyU award and any later incubator support as distinct approvals with separate eligible costs.	GrantIdea / Pre-MVP / MVP / Pre-seedActive	HK$100,000 PolyU seed funding; other advertised support is conditional on separate programme admission	Equity: NoMatching: No	PolyU-connected teams building a prototype and early market evidence.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF — superseded)Trade and Industry Department EMF was consolidated into the BUD Fund on 1 July 2026; new exhibition and export-promotion support should be checked under Easy BUD. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Final eligible promotion activities had to finish by 30 June 2026 Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis N/A Stackability note Use Easy BUD for current exhibition and export-promotion applications after consolidation. Double funding / cash-flow restriction The same expenditure item could not also receive other government funding.	Market expansionSeed / Early growth / Series A / Scale-upSuperseded	Up to HK$100,000 per eligible application under the final rules before consolidation	Equity: NoMatching: Government funding up to one-quarter of approved expenditure (1:3 government-to-enterprise)	Researching legacy EMF cases or identifying the current replacement route.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
SME Financing Guarantee Scheme - 80% GuaranteeHKMC Insurance Limited A government-backed loan guarantee; the enterprise still needs lender approval and must repay the facility. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Maximum guarantee period up to 10 years under current terms Company age / eligibility Generally at least 1 year of business operation in Hong Kong Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note This is bank financing supported by a government guarantee, not a grant and not automatic credit approval. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Borrowers must repay the lender and satisfy credit assessment, guarantee fees and use-of-proceeds rules.	Loan / guaranteeSeed / Early growth / Series A / Scale-upClosed to new applications	Maximum loan facility HK$18 million under the 80% guarantee product	Equity: NoMatching: No	Hong Kong businesses with operating history, a defined use of funds and repayment capacity.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
SOSV HAX / IndieBioSOSV Global hard-tech and life-science programmes; cheque size, location and entity structure depend on the selected programme. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration N/A Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement Official FAQ states at least 2 founders are generally required for funding Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Worldwide applications are accepted, but SOSV encourages a US investment entity and individual programme terms govern location and cheque size. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Current public FAQ does not state one universal investment amount for every programme, so no amount is asserted here.	AcceleratorIdea / Pre-MVP / MVP / Pre-seed / SeedActive	N/A	Equity: YesMatching: No	Teams needing specialist hardware, laboratory or biotechnology infrastructure and networks.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Techstars Accelerator ProgramsTechstars Three-month accelerators with published standard investment terms; foreign entity treatment depends on programme diligence. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Generally 3 months Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note Foreign-company acceptability is programme and diligence specific; Techstars states that an unapproved jurisdiction may require a flip. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Investment instruments and equity terms apply; do not describe the investment as a grant.	AcceleratorMVP / Pre-seed / SeedActive	Standard programmes: US$220,000; Asia-Pacific programmes: US$120,000 under current published terms	Equity: YesMatching: No	Early technology companies seeking intensive mentorship, corporate access and an international financing network.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
Y CombinatorY Combinator A global accelerator investing through two SAFE instruments and running an in-person cohort; applications are worldwide. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Cohort based; Fall 2026 is in person in San Francisco Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement N/A Payment basis Not reimbursement based Stackability note A Hong Kong startup can apply, but accepted companies should confirm the final investable entity structure directly with YC. Double funding / cash-flow restriction This is equity/SAFE financing. It can coexist with grants only where grant agreements permit and funded costs remain compliant.	AcceleratorIdea / Pre-MVP / MVP / Pre-seed / SeedActive	US$500,000: US$125,000 for 7% plus US$375,000 on an uncapped MFN SAFE	Equity: YesMatching: No	High-growth technology startups willing to join the San Francisco cohort and accept the standard SAFE deal.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25
HYAB GBA Youth Entrepreneurship Funding SchemeHome and Youth Affairs Bureau / Youth Development Commission Appointed NGOs recruit and support Hong Kong youth teams. The current round provides up to HK$480,000 government grant plus NGO matching support per eligible team. Eligibility, payment and double-funding details Duration Appointed NGO projects run for 1 to 3 years; team support follows the operator arrangement Company age / eligibility N/A Staff requirement N/A Founder requirement Eligibility is administered through appointed NGOs for Hong Kong young people; current intake rules must be checked with the operator Payment basis N/A Stackability note Funding and incubation are delivered through appointed NGOs rather than a direct always-open government application portal. Double funding / cash-flow restriction Teams must follow the appointed NGO agreement and cannot assume the same costs are claimable under another public scheme.	GrantIdea / Pre-MVP / MVP / Pre-seedActive	Up to HK$480,000 government grant plus up to HK$120,000 NGO matching support per eligible team in the current round	Equity: NoMatching: NGO matching component up to HK$120,000; not a founder cash-matching ratio	Eligible Hong Kong youth teams planning a business in Hong Kong or a Mainland GBA city through an appointed operator.	Official sourceLast verified: 2026-08-25

Editorial analysis

Strategy combinations by company type

Solve the company's most real constraint first; the number of applications is not the goal.

AI / Software / SaaS

Validate demand cheaply and use cloud credits before choosing HKSTP, Cyberport or institutional capital.

Illustrative route: Founder capital → MVP plus cloud credits → one primary incubator → RTH or ESS after real R&D and hiring needs → equity after traction.
Key caution: Do not build a heavy team to chase subsidies; the same cloud bill, payroll or R&D cost cannot be claimed twice.

HKSTP Ideation Programme Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF)HKSTP Incubation Programme Cyberport Incubation Programme (CIP)AWS Activate Microsoft for Startups

Deep tech / Hardware / Robotics

Separate university or laboratory R&D, prototyping, trials and production-line work into distinct funding stages.

Illustrative route: Technology and IP → university/TSSSU or HKSTP → prototype and patent → ESS/RTH → public trial → smart production line → specialist VC.
Key caution: R&D, trial and production-line awards have different scopes; budget for hardware cash flow and reimbursement timing.

HKSTP Ideation Programme HKSTP Incubation Programme Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU)Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS)Research Talent Hub for Technology Companies (RTH-TC)Public Sector Trial Scheme for Technology Companies (PSTS-TC)

Biotech / HealthTech

Build the stack around university IP, laboratory access, regulation and a long R&D cycle.

Illustrative route: University IP or licence → Incu-Bio or TSSSU → RTH/ESS → validation and trials → specialist biotech capital.
Key caution: Laboratory, clinical and regulatory costs are not automatically eligible; a headline incubator amount does not replace a detailed plan.

HKSTP Incu-Bio Programme Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU)Research Talent Hub for Technology Companies (RTH-TC)Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS)Patent Application Grant Public Sector Trial Scheme for Technology Companies (PSTS-TC)

FinTech

Cyberport and InvestHK can provide incubation, institutional connections and financing access; a regulatory sandbox is a test route, not funding.

Illustrative route: Define compliance → Cyberport prototype/incubation → institutional pilot or regulatory test → acceleration and matching → equity.
Key caution: Resolve licensing, data and financial-regulation questions early; never present sandbox admission as a grant.

Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF)Cyberport Incubation Programme (CIP)Cyberport Accelerator Support Programme (CASP)Cyberport Macro Fund Global Fast Track Microsoft for Startups

GreenTech / ClimateTech

Prove environmental impact and technical feasibility before choosing R&D, trial or production support.

Illustrative route: Environmental problem and metrics → HKSTP/prototype → ESS or Green Tech Fund → public trial → Hong Kong production → industrial capital.
Key caution: Ordinary ESG consulting or green marketing is not green-tech R&D; large funds require matching cash, milestones and audits.

HKSTP Ideation Programme HKSTP Incubation Programme Green Tech Fund Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS)Research Talent Hub for Technology Companies (RTH-TC)Public Sector Trial Scheme for Technology Companies (PSTS-TC)

E-commerce / Consumer / Cross-border

Market, brand and financing tools usually fit better than R&D grants; consider Cyberport only for a genuine digital product.

Illustrative route: Small-batch validation → real sales and unit economics → BUD market project → trade channels → guaranteed lending if needed.
Key caution: An online store is not automatically R&D because it uses software; BUD requires matching cash and documented costs.

BUD Fund SME Financing Guarantee Scheme - 80% Guarantee InvestHK startup and landing support HKPC SME One / ReachOut Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF)Cyberport Incubation Programme (CIP)

Creator / YouTube / Digital media

A normal channel rarely fits STEM or R&D funding; a platform, AI video tool or virtual-production technology is a different case.

Illustrative route: Validate content and audience → earn commercial revenue → brand/market tools; assess Cyberport, cloud and R&D separately only for a technology product.
Key caution: CreateSmart requires sector-level benefit; do not re-label one channel's routine production costs as an industry project.

CreateSmart Initiative BUD Fund Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF)Cyberport Incubation Programme (CIP)AWS Activate Google for Startups Cloud Program

Professional services / Consulting

Customers, branding, export and cash flow usually matter more than large R&D grants.

Illustrative route: Standardise services → build Hong Kong operating history → BUD market expansion → cross-border clients → debt only with repayment capacity.
Key caution: Consultancies are expressly excluded from several cloud and technology programmes; client delivery is not automatically in-house R&D.

BUD Fund SME Financing Guarantee Scheme - 80% Guarantee HKPC SME One / ReachOut InvestHK startup and landing support Global Fast Track

University spin-off

Resolve IP ownership and licensing before stacking university seed support, incubation, talent and R&D funding.

Illustrative route: University IP review/licence → TSSSU or university fund → HKSTP → RTH/ESS → trial, industry partner and VC.
Key caution: Document faculty, student, university and company rights in IP and equity; funding does not automatically transfer IP.

Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU)HKUST Entrepreneurship Fund PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund HK Tech 300 Seed Fund HK Tech 300 Angel Fund HKSTP Incubation Programme

Bootstrapped solo founder

Keep fixed costs low and validate willingness to pay; accept programme overhead only when it solves a real constraint.

Illustrative route: Founder capital or shareholder loan → small MVP → self-service cloud credits → customer validation → incubation or talent support only when hiring.
Key caution: More subsidies do not make a healthier company; milestones, audits, matching cash and delayed reimbursement create overhead.

HKSTP Ideation Programme Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF)AWS Activate Microsoft for Startups Google for Startups Cloud Program Cloudflare for Startups

Editorial analysis

Funding stack timeline

Public support should increase with company maturity, not all be pursued on day zero.

Idea
Consider
Founder capital, university competitions, HKSTP Ideation and CCMF.
Usually premature
Large R&D awards, production-line support and bank debt.
MVP
Consider
Cloud credits, proof of concept, one primary incubator and customer discovery.
Usually premature
ESS without an R&D work package or hiring early to chase subsidies.
Incubation
Consider
HKSTP or Cyberport, STEM interns, university support and clear IP documents.
Usually premature
Assuming every team salary will be reimbursed.
Early customers
Consider
BUD market projects, PSTS trials, accelerators and investor readiness.
Usually premature
Debt-funded scaling before unit economics are understood.
R&D funding
Consider
ESS, RTH or a specialist R&D fund once technical risk and matching cash are real.
Usually premature
Re-labelling routine product work or client customisation as research.
Scale
Consider
Market expansion, equity, smart production facilities and industrial partners.
Usually premature
Ignoring dilution, audits, reimbursement lag and financing conditions.

Visa and long-term status planning

Entrepreneurship does not automatically create immigration status

Forming or operating a Hong Kong company does not automatically qualify anyone for a visa, extension or permanent residence. Entrepreneurship may form part of an individual case, but the Immigration Department decides on the actual facts.

Quality Migrant Admission SchemeAn admission route for highly skilled or talented applicants.Top Talent Pass SchemeA talent route for high-income applicants and eligible university graduates.Immigration Arrangements for Non-local GraduatesA work and stay route for non-local graduates of Hong Kong institutions.General Employment PolicyAn employment route generally based on a genuine professional role with a Hong Kong employer.Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and ProfessionalsAn employment route for Mainland residents with skills or experience needed in Hong Kong.Hong Kong permanent residence and right of abodeUnderstand ordinary residence, the seven-year requirement and long-term status planning.

Combine Hong Kong startup support without collecting subsidies

Official facts

Editorial analysis

Four constraints

Stackable does not mean double claimable

When not to apply

Programme matrix

Strategy combinations by company type

AI / Software / SaaS

Deep tech / Hardware / Robotics

Biotech / HealthTech

FinTech

GreenTech / ClimateTech

E-commerce / Consumer / Cross-border

Creator / YouTube / Digital media

Professional services / Consulting

University spin-off

Bootstrapped solo founder

Funding stack timeline

Idea

MVP

Incubation

Early customers

R&D funding

Scale

Entrepreneurship does not automatically create immigration status

Sources and maintenance

Related routes, data and official updates

Related guides

Official data snapshot

Related official updates

HSITP selects 108 companies for its first incubation cohort

Government reply outlines startup support available to one-person companies

Global Fast Track 2026 expands to eight innovation verticals

Government launches Pilot Innovation and Technology Accelerator Scheme