Hong Kong’s Booming Startup Ecosystem Draws Global Founders

2026-01-28 23:48 Last Updated At：01-29 00:56

Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem is thriving, attracting a growing number of local and international founders. The city’s business-friendly environment and strong innovation support make it an appealing base for startups aiming to expand in the region.

One of them is a Hong Kong fintech startup that was acquired last year by a loyalty and travel rewards platform from Singapore.

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Startups thriving in HK.

David B Wang, the platform’s Global Head of Loyalty Partnerships and General Manager of Hong Kong.

Startups thriving in HK.

Director-General of Investment Promotion Alpha Lau.

Startups thriving in HK.

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Startups thriving in HK.

David B Wang, the platform’s Global Head of Loyalty Partnerships and General Manager of Hong Kong.

Startups thriving in HK.

Director-General of Investment Promotion Alpha Lau.

Startups thriving in HK.

David B Wang, the platform’s Global Head of Loyalty Partnerships and General Manager of Hong Kong, said the city offers favourable conditions for startup development.

Hong Kong is first and foremost a travel hub, he noted, adding that following the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, passenger traffic at Hong Kong International Airport has benefited significantly, and with a new terminal opening, he expects travel demand to continue growing.

Mr Wang also highlighted Hong Kong as a dynamic fintech hub that unites financial services and innovation, enabling companies to test new ideas and products. He also expressed appreciation for the various partners and stakeholders who supported the company’s entry into Hong Kong.

“Thanks to organisations, including Cyberport and Invest Hong Kong, for giving us the resources and showing us that there is an ecosystem here for us to tap into so that we can accelerate our growth and expansion to the market.”

Last year, the number of startups and startup employees in Hong Kong reached new all-time highs. According to Invest Hong Kong, the number of startup firms in the city exceeded 5,200 in 2025, representing an 11% year-on-year increase. These companies employed nearly 20,000 people, reflecting growth of 12% compared with the previous year.

Director-General of Investment Promotion Alpha Lau said Hong Kong’s appeal extends far beyond its borders, with international founders accounting for approximately 33% of the city’s startup community, demonstrating that it is an ideal place for such firms.

“Whether they are local or from around the region using Hong Kong’s wonderful ecosystem for financing, or whether it is to look for support from government funding or develop test cases so that they can grow their dreams.”

In 2025, Invest Hong Kong helped 560 companies to set up or expand their operations in the city. These companies are expected to bring in nearly $70 billion in direct investment and create more than 10,000 new jobs.

In addition, the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, which is partly administered by Invest Hong Kong, received more than 2,850 applications last year, and is expected to bring in investment of more than $85.5 billion to Hong Kong.

Looking ahead, Ms Lau said the department will focus on the Northern Metropolis and supporting Mainland enterprises in “going global” through Hong Kong.

She said as Chinese Mainland industries continue to grow and expand their sales, technologies and investments abroad, Invest Hong Kong will help them to use the city as a platform. This includes managing the functions of their regional headquarters, fundraising, serving as a corporate treasury centre, and managing international operations.

Ms Lau outlined that the department will also identify companies that are interested in using the Northern Metropolis to expand their businesses, such as technology companies looking to establish research and development functions and pursue advanced manufacturing in the area.

Professor Sun Promotes Hong Kong's Innovation Potential in Bangkok to Foster Tech Collaboration with Thailand

SITI visits Thailand

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, visited Bangkok in Thailand today (January 28) to promote Hong Kong's edges and vast potential to the local innovation and technology (I&T) sector with a view to strengthening collaboration in I&T between the two places.

Professor Sun attended a dinner seminar, themed "Building growth and resilience for the future: Hong Kong as the strategic hub for technology, innovation and investment", co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Invest Hong Kong and the Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association during which he delivered a keynote speech to the local I&T community. Professor Sun said that Hong Kong is currently moving full speed ahead in building a world-class I&T ecosystem. Thailand has made significant strides in recent years in terms of strengthening its digital infrastructure, nurturing start-ups, advancing smart manufacturing, and promoting specific sectors such as healthtech, agritech and greentech. These developments align closely with Hong Kong's strengths and lay fertile ground for deeper collaboration between the two economies.

"Hong Kong's I&T landscape is characterised by 'three major I&T parks' and 'five key R&D (research and development) institutions'. This ecosystem is designed to accelerate technological advancement, attract global talent, and strengthen the city's position as a rising international I&T hub. While embracing international co-operation through our InnoHK Platform, we welcome universities and research institutes in Thailand to join the venture."

Professor Sun stressed that Hong Kong is the perfect destination for Thai companies that wish to connect with the Mainland Chinese market, with the official opening of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone last December.

The Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Terry Wong, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited, Mr Vincent Ma, who also joined the visit, introduced to the guests at a panel discussion the latest developments of their respective parks.

This morning, Professor Sun visited the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) of Thailand under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand to understand the DEPA's strategies in promoting digital economy and innovation development, which cover digital transformation for industries and small and medium-sized enterprises, digital platform building, and supporting measures for development of digital-related industries as well as Thailand Digital Valley project. Both sides had an exchange on collaboration between the DEPA, and the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hetao Hong Kong Park.

Professor Sun also visited Charoen Pokphand Group, a Thailand-based conglomerate with a highly diversified business portfolio. He had a discussion with the Group's management to learn about its latest development and investment plans in advanced manufacturing, as well as those of the Group's telecommunication enterprise, True Corporation, in digital infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity, and retail businesses.

Professor Sun then visited the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management, Mahidol University and toured its frontier research facility. As a key innovation hub in Thailand, the institute specialises in supporting technology transformation, innovation management and research commercialisation. Both sides explored collaboration opportunities in areas including joint research, technology transfer and start-up incubation between Hong Kong and the institute.

In addition, Professor Sun met with the Federation of Thai Industries and exchanged views with the local industrial and manufacturing sectors on co-operation in new industrialisation and industrial upgrading and transformation. During the meeting, he invited Thai enterprises to leverage Hong Kong as a platform to jointly develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and international markets.

Upon his arrival in Bangkok yesterday afternoon (January 27), Professor Sun immediately met with the Thai Health Tech Association, to learn about the association's work in promoting digital health innovation. He was briefed by leading local health tech enterprises and start-ups as well as representatives of hospital organisations on their technology, product development and market planning.

Professor Sun then visited the True Digital Park of the True Corporation to learn about the Park's operation in fostering the growth of I&T enterprises and facilitating the application of technologies. The Park features modern offices, co-working spaces, innovation laboratories and event venues, offering an I&T ecosystem that brings together international and local technology enterprises, start-ups and venture capitalists.

Professor Sun also called on the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, Mr Zhang Jianwei, to introduce the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's plans in promoting I&T, emerging industries, digital economy and more, and to exchange views on further I&T co-operation between Hong Kong and Thailand.

Professor Sun will depart for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, tomorrow (January 29) to continue the visit.

Hong Kong’s Booming Startup Ecosystem Draws Global Founders

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