Hong Kong’s Booming Startup Ecosystem Draws Global Founders

2026-01-28 23:48 Last Updated At：01-29 11:56

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.

Hong Kong Police Honors 80 Citizens for Crime Prevention and Life-Saving Acts at 2025 Good Citizen Award Ceremony.

Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention

The Hong Kong Police Force held the “Good Citizen Award (GCA) Presentation Ceremony 2025” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (March 14) to commend 80 members of the public for their assistance in combating crime and saving lives, and to present the “Good Organisation Award” to six organisations in recognition of their active support for the Police in promoting anti-deception initiatives, fighting crime, safeguarding national security and fostering youth development.

Addressing the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, highlighted that the GCA Scheme, launched in 1973, has honoured nearly 4 800 good citizens to date, fully demonstrating Hong Kong citizens’ spirit of mutual help and courage in doing what is right. He expressed appreciation for the awardees for offering assistance and making the right choice at critical moments, which echoed this year’s theme, “Good Citizen–A Flash Moment–Be United”. He added that calm judgment in a flash moment helps members of the public avoid scammers’ traps. He urged the public to make good use of “Scameter+”, a mobile app launched by the Police, to identify suspicious calls and websites, and to think twice before disclosing personal or account data, or engaging in money transactions.

He added that this year’s six “Good Organisation Award” recipients have actively fulfilled their corporate social responsibilities by bringing anti-scam and anti-drug messages into the community, thereby supporting police efforts. He said that the Police would continue working hand in hand with the public, organisations and stakeholders from all sectors of the community to transform every “flash moment” of kindness into a strong, lasting force safeguarding our home.

Another officiating guest, the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC), Hong Kong, Dr Jonathan Choi, noted that the recipients of the GCA came from different sectors and backgrounds, yet they all shared the same willingness to act as “guardians” by assisting the Police in preventing crime. He said that the CGCC would continue to encourage the business community to promote the good citizen spirit, so as to make Hong Kong a better place to live and work. Fight Crime Committee member, Ms Cecilia Ho, said that by asking just one more question and taking one more step at critical moments, these individual efforts by members of the public can unite to become the Police’s strongest support in combating crime and saving lives.

In 2025, a total of 80 GCA awardees were commended for assisting the Police in preventing and detecting crime, arresting offenders and saving lives. The “Good Citizen of the Year Award” (GCYA) was presented to Mr Leung Ho-yin, who bravely rescued three people from drowning after they fell into the sea during Super Typhoon Ragasa in Hong Kong last year.

The GCA Scheme is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Fight Crime Committee, with support from the CGCC since 2025. Each awardee receives a cash prize of $4,000, and the GCYA recipient receives $6,000, in recognition of their courage in upholding what is right.

A brand new promotional video series, “A Flash Moment of Good Citizens”, premiered at the ceremony. Adapted from four award-winning cases of 2025, it features the award winners themselves starring in and portraying their pivotal “flash moment” good citizen stories. The videos will be uploaded to the Police Force’s Facebook and YouTube channel.

Hong Kong’s Booming Startup Ecosystem Draws Global Founders

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