Support for SMEs

Any person carrying on a business in Hong Kong shall apply for business registration within one month of the commencement of such business. For details, please click here.

In order to provide more comprehensive information relating to bank account opening, and to collect views as well as to answer related enquiries from the public, business communities, and other stakeholders, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has set up a dedicated webpage on its website and launched a dedicated email account (accountopening@hkma.gov.hk) and hotline (28781133) to facilitate submission of enquiries and feedback. The HKMA webpage contains information about account opening and maintenance procedures, documentation and information requirements, and relevant contact details of banks. It also provides useful tips for start-ups’ reference.

Any person that wishes to incorporate a company under the Companies Ordinance, Chapter 622, Laws of Hong Kong, e.g. a private company limited by shares, can apply to the Registrar of Companies. Upon approval of an application for company incorporation, the Certificate of Incorporation and the Business Registration Certificate will be issued to the applicant in one go. For details, please click here.

Applicants may lodge application in paper form or online via the e-Registry portal.

Public can visit the Companies Registry’s Cyber Search Centre, anytime and anywhere, to conduct company searches on the current data of registered companies and image records of documents registered and kept by the Registrar of Companies. Public can also access the Centre through mobile devices.

Different company types are available for different business requirements. For details, please click here.

For information on government licences, permits, certificates and approvals relevant to business operations in Hong Kong, please use the Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) provided by Support and Consultation Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises (SUCCESS).

Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF) encourages innovation, creativity and commitment to grow. The programme sponsors high potential digital tech projects and early-stage start-ups with financial assistance and a comprehensive nurturing system to facilitate development in a pre-incubation stage.

In general, CCMF accepts individual and company application. Individual applicant must be HKID card holder, company applicant is limited company registered and incorporated in Hong Kong.

There are four sub-programmes under the scheme. Each sub-programme, supported by CCMF, is designed to distribute resources among different target groups to achieve its objectives. All sub-programmes have Individual Application and Company Application.

Cyberport Incubation Programme (CIP) supports entrepreneurs and start-ups with resources that aim to accelerate their growth.

In addition to a range of business and professional services, incubatees get up to HKD$500,000 support over 24 months. Incubatees can participate in the programme on-site at Cyberport, or off-site at their own premises. Cyberport also provides incubatees with a comprehensive platform to foster success for digital tech entrepreneurs.

Fully funded by the Hong Kong SAR Government and managed by the Hong Kong Design Centre, Design Incubation Programme (DIP) offers financial assistance and incubation services to design start-ups over a two-year incubation period to enhance their competitiveness at the early stage of development by helping them build up business network, publicise products and conduct market promotions.

Fully funded by the Hong Kong SAR Government and administered by the Hong Kong Design Centre, Fashion Incubation Programme (FIP) is a dedicated incubation programme for up-and-coming fashion designers. Through the two-year programme, each incubatee would be offered ample opportunities to expand their creative potential and advance their fashion entrepreneurship through projects and collaboration, and enhance their industry intelligence and resourcefulness through continuous learning and networking occasions to explore and cultivate future business opportunities.

Funding Scheme for Experiential Programmes at Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) subsidises Hong Kong Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) to organise short-term experiential programmes at the innovation and entrepreneurial bases in Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area to enrich Hong Kong young people's understanding of the entrepreneurial bases therein, as well as the relevant policies and supporting measures on innovation and entrepreneurship in the Mainland.

Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) subsidises Hong Kong Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) to organise youth entrepreneurial programmes and offer entrepreneurial support and incubation services, as well as start-up capital to Hong Kong young people.

HKSTP Incubation Programme helps technology startups develop their first solutions from early stage technical builds, market exploration and business development. This 3-year programme offers comprehensive services including funding and R&D support, mentorship, and investor matching.

HKSTP Incu-Bio Programme provides biomedical startups with the best business support, investment opportunities, connections to HKSTP's biomedical ecosystem, lab facilities and financial aid to enable them to turn their R&D into life-changing solutions.

Start-up Express is Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)'s highly curated start-up development programme that targets start-ups with products or services suitable for mass consumer market, as well as with strong desire to enter the international market. Through a series of capability building, mentoring sessions and marketing activities, the programme aims to assist local start-ups in building connection, exploring markets, seeking partners and enhancing brand awareness.