Author: Biteye

Many people start businesses without knowing that the Hong Kong government provides many subsidies. Furthermore, if planned properly, a startup can fully apply for multiple government programs, such as entrepreneurial funding, R&D talent subsidies, and talent visas, accumulating support of several million Hong Kong dollars.

👇 The editor has organized four programs currently worth noting for tech startups below:

1️⃣ Cyberport Incubation Programme

💡 Introduction: A 24-month incubation program for digital tech startups that helps convert solutions into market products and expand businesses.

🎯 Target: The preferred incubation program for startups in AI, Web3, etc.

💰 Subsidy amount: HKD 500,000 cash subsidy + up to HKD 200,000 market subsidy, as well as office space, mentoring, investor resources, and business networks support.

✅ Advantages: Considerable subsidy, and at present, publicly available information shows no SAFE signing required.

⚠️ Disadvantages: The HKD 500,000 is not disbursed in one go; multiple milestones must be completed during the incubation period, and progress reports need to be submitted.

📌 Threshold requirements:

· Technology company registered (or in the process of registering) in Hong Kong, established for less than 7 years by the application deadline

· Founder team holds over 51% or has control

· Has a viable business plan; products/services can be marketed within 12-18 months

· At least one local authorized representative must be working in Hong Kong during the incubation period (achievement within the first milestone is also acceptable)

👉 Recommendation index: 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📅 Application time: Accepting applications year-round, with batch approvals (for example, recruitment by June 2026 ends on April 1, 2026; October recruitment ends on August 3, 2026).

🔗 Application link: https://cyberport.hk/en/entrepreneurship/cyberport_incubation_programme/ (Submit via Cyberport's entrepreneurial management system)

2️⃣ HKSTP Incubation Programme

💡 Introduction: A 3-year (4 years for biotech) in-depth tech startup incubation program.

🎯 Target: Hardcore tech companies with a certain scale and R&D capabilities.

💰 Subsidy amount: Up to approximately HKD 1.29 million (general businesses: cash about 840,000 + rent subsidy about 450,000).

✅ Advantages: High funding amount; strong support for R&D labs/equipment; can still connect to the park ecosystem after graduation.

⚠️ Disadvantages: High entry threshold; certain tracks require assessments and signing SAFE.

📌 Threshold requirements:

- Hong Kong registered limited company

- At least 2 full-time employees, with half engaged in research work

- Company valuation cap of about 5 million USD

- Has disruptive technology/MVP or prototype, has undergone certain market validation

- Founding team typically must control equity

👉 Recommendation index: 4 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐

📅 Application time: Accepting applications year-round.

🔗 Application link: https://hkstp.org/en/programmes/incubation/incubation-programme (Online submission of business plan)

3️⃣ Research Talent Hub, RTH

💡 Introduction: Subsidy for eligible companies/institutions to hire STEM research talent for R&D work.

💰 Subsidy amount: Maximum monthly salary subsidy: Bachelor 20,000, Master 23,000, PhD 35,000; PhD additionally receives a monthly living subsidy of 10,000. Generally, a maximum of 4 per company/project at any one time, for up to 36 months each.

✅ Advantages: Pure funding subsidy; for 4 master's holders, the net subsidy of nearly 100,000 per month is attractive.

⚠️ Disadvantages: The process is very lengthy; the application takes about nine months, and receiving funds takes another six months, during which salaries and MPF must continue to be paid normally.

📌 Threshold requirements:

- Applicant company must meet criteria;

- Talent must be a permanent resident of Hong Kong or authorized to work legally in Hong Kong;

- Holds a locally or recognized non-local university STEM-related Bachelor/Master/PhD degree.

👉 Recommendation index: 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📅 Application time: Accepting applications year-round.

🔗 Application link: https://itf.gov.hk/en/funding-programmes/nurturing-talent/research-talent-hub (Submit via the Innovation and Technology Commission's fund management system; different versions have corresponding pages)

4️⃣ Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)

💡 Introduction: A fast-track program that allows eligible companies to bring in overseas and mainland tech talent to work full-time in R&D in Hong Kong. Companies must first apply for quotas and then sponsor talent to apply for work visas/entry permits. This program is part of talent introduction policy and is not a funding subsidy.

✅ Advantages: Streamlined process (no need to prove local talent shortage case by case); faster processing; tenants of Science Park/Cyberport have exclusive channels; can apply for quotas and visas simultaneously.

⚠️ Disadvantages: Limited to specific tech R&D positions (e.g., AI, biotech, fintech, robotics, etc.); talent must meet strict educational/experience requirements; quotas are limited and must first be approved for the company; salaries must meet market levels.

📌 Threshold requirements:

- Company: Has substantial operations and valid business registration in Hong Kong, engaged in tech-related R&D. Projects or tenants incubated by Cyberport or Science Park.

- Talent: STEM degree (from specific top 100 global universities); master's/PhD do not require experience, bachelor's requires at least 1 year of relevant experience; must engage full-time in designated R&D work; salary not less than market level (exceptions may be considered based on professional capability).

👉 Recommendation index: 3 stars⭐⭐⭐

📅 Application time: Accepting applications year-round (quota applications + visa applications).

🔗 Application links:

Program introduction and quotas: https://itc.gov.hk/en/fund_app/techtas/about_techtas.html

Visa application: https://immd.gov.hk/hkt/services/visas/TECHTAS.html (Science Park/Cyberport tenants can transfer through the park)

💡 Biteye suggestions:

🥇 Cyberport Incubation Programme: The top choice for most AI, Web3, and software startups.

🥈 Research Talent Hub (RTH): Once meeting the conditions, it is recommended to apply as early as possible to sustainably reduce R&D team costs.

🥉 HKSTP Incubation Programme: More suitable for R&D capable, hard-tech oriented startup teams. After CIP ends, further applications to Science Park are still possible, maximizing benefits.

🏅 TechTAS: Focus on this when the team starts international recruitment.

Are there any entrepreneurs in Hong Kong! Welcome to discuss entrepreneurial or subsidy application ideas in the comments, and don't forget to give a thumbs up! 👇🔥