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Startups
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 Companies Registry's e-Services Portal.
Public can visit the e-Services Portal, 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.
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).
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) published the Guide to Doing Business in Hong Kong and Hong Kong Industry Profiles to provide the overview of doing business in Hong Kong, including set up company, listing in Hong Kong, tax system, import and export requirements, and preventing corruption.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) provides information and analysis articles of Hong Kong Start-up Trends.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) gives guides and resources on import and export procedures, trade regulations and trade associations.
The SME supportive programme offered by the HKTDC provides a variety of services to assist SMEs in the challenging business path.
StartmeupHK is an initiative by InvestHK aimed at helping founders of innovative and scalable startups from overseas to set up or expand in Hong Kong.
Services provided include providing information about the startup ecosystem in Hong Kong, connecting people to the startup community, hosting startup events and helping to foster a positive environment for startups to thrive.
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 Companies Registry's e-Services Portal.
Public can visit the e-Services Portal, 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.
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).
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) published the Guide to Doing Business in Hong Kong and Hong Kong Industry Profiles to provide the overview of doing business in Hong Kong, including set up company, listing in Hong Kong, tax system, import and export requirements, and preventing corruption.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) provides information and analysis articles of Hong Kong Start-up Trends.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) gives guides and resources on import and export procedures, trade regulations and trade associations.
The SME supportive programme offered by the HKTDC provides a variety of services to assist SMEs in the challenging business path.
StartmeupHK is an initiative by InvestHK aimed at helping founders of innovative and scalable startups from overseas to set up or expand in Hong Kong.
Services provided include providing information about the startup ecosystem in Hong Kong, connecting people to the startup community, hosting startup events and helping to foster a positive environment for startups to thrive.
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 subsidises Hong Kong Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) to organise experiential programmes at the innovation and entrepreneurial bases in Mainland provinces and municipalities, with a view to enriching 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 offering innovative and tech products or solutions, as well as with strong desire to enter the international market. The programme aims to assist local start-ups in building capability and connections, exploring markets, seeking business and funding partners, and enhancing brand awareness.
STEM Internship Scheme aims to encourage STEM (refers to the academic disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students to gain innovation and technology (I&T)-related work experience during their studies and to foster their interest in pursuing a career in I&T after graduation, so as to enlarge the local I&T talent pool. The Scheme provides allowance for undergraduates and postgraduates taking full‑time STEM-related programmes in designated local universities to enrol in short-term internships.
The Government partners with the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to launch the Youth Start-up Internship Programme 2024, with a view to providing young people with internship opportunities at local start-ups and fostering their interest in pursuing a career in innovation and technology. In addition, the Programme also aims to help start-ups nurture talents and drive the development of the local innovation and technology related industries.
The Government provides over 70 funding schemes with different funding scopes, amounts and requirements to promote and support the development of enterprises and industries in Hong Kong. Please click here for details.
InnoPreneur Network is an initiative by Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) which aims at providing a one-stop platform for SMEs and startups to exchange on new technology applications, industry pain points or innovative ideas and entrepreneurial stories.
Within the Network, HKPC will hold regular forums with a technology focus on different industries to generate new insights, foster a network and learn culture, and develop new business opportunities.
Inno Space is a startup platform established by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and commissioned by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Inno Space provides support to startups and inventors by translating their innovative ideas into industrial designs, prototypes and products so they can turn concepts into reality.
"Startup" section of Youth.gov.hk (YP) covers practical information ranging from topical stories on entrepreneurship, a startup funding schemes finder, a map of co-working spaces to relevant activities for young entrepreneurs.
The Government has all along been supportive of youth innovation and entrepreneurship and encourages young people to grasp the opportunities brought by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). In the Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed that the Government would establish the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases in the GBA (the Alliance), inviting organisations from Guangdong and Hong Kong to establish a one-stop information, publicity and communication platform to support Hong Kong youth entrepreneurs in the GBA.
The Alliance was officially launched on 15 December 2023. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Guangdong Province are the leading parties of the Alliance, steering the work of the Alliance in concerted efforts.
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 subsidises Hong Kong Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) to organise experiential programmes at the innovation and entrepreneurial bases in Mainland provinces and municipalities, with a view to enriching 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 offering innovative and tech products or solutions, as well as with strong desire to enter the international market. The programme aims to assist local start-ups in building capability and connections, exploring markets, seeking business and funding partners, and enhancing brand awareness.
STEM Internship Scheme aims to encourage STEM (refers to the academic disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students to gain innovation and technology (I&T)-related work experience during their studies and to foster their interest in pursuing a career in I&T after graduation, so as to enlarge the local I&T talent pool. The Scheme provides allowance for undergraduates and postgraduates taking full‑time STEM-related programmes in designated local universities to enrol in short-term internships.
The Government partners with the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to launch the Youth Start-up Internship Programme 2024, with a view to providing young people with internship opportunities at local start-ups and fostering their interest in pursuing a career in innovation and technology. In addition, the Programme also aims to help start-ups nurture talents and drive the development of the local innovation and technology related industries.
The Government provides over 70 funding schemes with different funding scopes, amounts and requirements to promote and support the development of enterprises and industries in Hong Kong. Please click here for details.
InnoPreneur Network is an initiative by Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) which aims at providing a one-stop platform for SMEs and startups to exchange on new technology applications, industry pain points or innovative ideas and entrepreneurial stories.
Within the Network, HKPC will hold regular forums with a technology focus on different industries to generate new insights, foster a network and learn culture, and develop new business opportunities.
Inno Space is a startup platform established by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and commissioned by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Inno Space provides support to startups and inventors by translating their innovative ideas into industrial designs, prototypes and products so they can turn concepts into reality.
"Startup" section of Youth.gov.hk (YP) covers practical information ranging from topical stories on entrepreneurship, a startup funding schemes finder, a map of co-working spaces to relevant activities for young entrepreneurs.
The Government has all along been supportive of youth innovation and entrepreneurship and encourages young people to grasp the opportunities brought by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). In the Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed that the Government would establish the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases in the GBA (the Alliance), inviting organisations from Guangdong and Hong Kong to establish a one-stop information, publicity and communication platform to support Hong Kong youth entrepreneurs in the GBA.
The Alliance was officially launched on 15 December 2023. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Guangdong Province are the leading parties of the Alliance, steering the work of the Alliance in concerted efforts.