Hong Kong’s Booming Startup Ecosystem Draws Global Founders

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.

Startups thriving in HK.

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

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.

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

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.”

Startups thriving in HK.

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.”

Director-General of Investment Promotion Alpha Lau.

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.

Startups thriving in HK.

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.

Six projects approved in 11th round of Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme

The Secretariat of the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme (CCFS) announced today (July 29) that the Advisory Committee on Countryside Conservation (ACCC) has approved six CCFS projects, including cultural rehabilitation (CR) projects and research activities (RA) projects, involving a total grant of around $18 million in the latest round of applications.

The two newly approved CR projects seek to promote countryside revitalisation through organising new in-depth cultural and ecotour activities in the Yan Chau Tong area, showcasing the unique cultural assets and green tourism attractions in the area. Another four newly approved RA projects focus on Sha Lo Tung (SLT), including a comprehensive cultural heritage study and three research projects on a hydrological monitoring network, hydromorphological mapping and a hydrological model respectively. These projects will provide scientific data to support water resources management, habitat conservation and biodiversity in SLT, which assist the Government in formulating precise and cost-effective conservation actions, and facilitate the planning of sustainable cultural and ecotourism.

In addition, the tendering exercise for the new round of the Proactive Conservation Project in SLT approved earlier by the ACCC has been completed in accordance with the Government's established procurement and tendering procedures.The project commenced on May 1, 2026, with a view to strengthening the conservation of biodiversity in SLT.

A total of 63 projects, involving an aggregate funding amount of around $358 million, have been approved in the 11 rounds of CCFS applications conducted so far, supporting local non-profit-making organisations' work in promoting different aspects of countryside conservation and revitalisation in areas such as natural ecology, non-graded built heritage, as well as cultural and historic assets. All CCFS applications are examined and considered by the ACCC, which is chaired by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology. Details of the approved projects are available on the CCFS webpage (www.eeb.gov.hk/en/conservation/ccfs/ccfs_approved_projects.html).

Source: AI-found images