Hong Kong - a game-changing I&T hub where events accelerate
Hong Kong is investing substantial resources into the development of its global Innovation & Technology industry. With its strengths in R&D, thriving startup ecosystem, robust rule of law, IP rights protection and intricate connections with I&T ecosystems in Mainland China and globally, it is a compelling host for events in the sector
3rd
Performance in technology (2024)
4th
World's fintech hub (2025)
5th
Digital competitiveness (2024)
7th
Largest pool of venture capital (2024)
4,694
Startups (2024, +40% vs 2020)
3rd
Emerging startup ecosystem (2024)
Spearheading Innovation & Technology (I&T) development in Hong Kong is its impressive I&T infrastructure, including HKSTP, Cyberport and five R&D centres, all backed by robust government funding and incentives. The city boasts exceptional academic research, high university rankings and a deep pool of talent. Five universities in Hong Kong are ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide and their positions have risen since 2019, driven by an increase in academic output.
World-class I&T infrastructure
Hong Kong Science Park
- Home to 2,200+ tech companies and an R&D community of 15,000+ people
- Offers comprehensive incubation programmes for applied R&D
- Core technology focus: healthcare, big data & AI, robotics, new material, micro-electronics, sustainability, FinTech
Hong Kong Cyberport
- Boasts 2,200+ start-ups. Cyberport Investors Network with over 200 global members and technology companies
- Largest FinTech cluster with nearly 440 FinTech companies
- Key focus: FinTech, smart living, digital entertainment/e-sports and cybersecurity, AI, big data and blockchain
Five R&D centres
HONG KONG MICROELECTRONICS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Focused on microelectronics R&D, fostering collaboration among academia, industry and research institutions to drive technology transfer
HONG KONG APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Focused on smart city, financial technologies, intelligent manufacturing, digital health and application specific ICs
HONG KONG RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL
Focused on high value-added manufacturing and servicing activities for the textiles and fashion industry
LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MULTITECH R&D CENTRE
Focused on logistics, supply chain management and e-Commerce
NANO AND ADVANCED MATERIALS INSTITUTE
Focused on nanotechnology and advanced materials for applications in construction, electronics, energy, environmental and healthcare
Robust government support
As part of its commitment to foster I&T development in the city, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau promulgated the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint in December 2022, with four board development directions:
Enhance ecosystem
Enlarge talent pool
Promote smart city
Bridge mainland and the world
Strong I&T funding landscape
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More R&D Funding Support |
Nurture startups and Digital Community |
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HK$10 billion I&T industry-oriented fund to channel more market capital to invest in industries of strategic importance |
Launch of a new round of Research Matching Grant Scheme totalling HK$1.5 billion |
Redeployment of HK$1.5 billion to optimise the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund |
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A three-year AI Subsidy Scheme of HK$3 billion in 2024 to provide subsidies to local universities, R&D institutes and enterprises |
HK$6 billion to provide subsidies for local universities to set up life and health technology research institutes |
HK$5 billion Strategic Tech Fund to invest in enterprises with good development potential |
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HK$10 billion ‘Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme’ in 2023 to incentivise collaboration among industry, academic and research sectors |
HK$10 billion New Industrialization Acceleration Scheme to provide funding support for enterprises engaged in Hong Kong’s strategic industries |
I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme with a funding allocation of HK$180 million to attract international start-up accelerations to set up bases in Hong Kong |
R&D powerhouse with world-class talent
Five local universities have continued to show academic excellence by making it to the world's top 100 - with three of them rising in rank - in the latest Times Higher Education rankings. Hong Kong’s local universities have top-notch researchers of international standard, with many receiving global recognition for their work. The number of Hong Kong researchers recognised in the list of Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate Analytics has grown steadily to reach 134 in 2024.
Strong I&T funding landscape
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HK$10 billion I&T industry-oriented fund to channel more market capital to invest in industries of strategic importance |
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A three-year AI Subsidy Scheme of HK$3 billion in 2024 to provide subsidies to local universities, R&D institutes and enterprises |
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HK$10 billion ‘Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme’ in 2023 to incentivise collaboration among industry, academic and research sectors |
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Launch of a new round of Research Matching Grant Scheme totalling HK$1.5 billion |
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HK$6 billion to provide subsidies for local universities to set up life and health technology research institutes |
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HK$10 billion New Industrialization Acceleration Scheme to provide funding support for enterprises engaged in Hong Kong’s strategic industries |
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Redeployment of HK$1.5 billion to optimise the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund |
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HK$5 billion Strategic Tech Fund to invest in enterprises with good development potential |
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I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme with a funding allocation of HK$180 million to attract international start-up accelerations to set up bases in Hong Kong |
R&D powerhouse with world-class talent
Five local universities have continued to show academic excellence by making it to the world's top 100 - with three of them rising in rank - in the latest Times Higher Education rankings. Hong Kong’s local universities have top-notch researchers of international standard, with many receiving global recognition for their work. The number of Hong Kong researchers recognised in the list of Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate Analytics has grown steadily to reach 134 in 2024.
Your GBA opportunity
The National Policy provides clear support for Hong Kong's development into an international Innovation and Technology hub, with better integration into the overall development of the country as well as deepening co-operation with the Mainland.
This is supported by the 16 State Key Laboratories and six Hong Kong Branches of Chinese National Engineering Research Centres undertaking research on diverse technology areas.
The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) presents enormous growth potential for businesses worldwide:
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Home to 70 Unicorns |
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Your GBA opportunity
The National Policy provides clear support for Hong Kong's development into an international Innovation and Technology hub, with better integration into the overall development of the country as well as deepening co-operation with the Mainland.
This is supported by the 16 State Key Laboratories and six Hong Kong Branches of Chinese National Engineering Research Centres undertaking research on diverse technology areas.
The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) presents enormous growth potential for businesses worldwide:
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Home to 70 |
2nd largest innovation & tech sector in the |
Favourable policy as the national leader for innovation |
Complete industry chain from R&D |
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Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone
Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone (Source: Shenzhen Evening Post)
Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone (Source: Shenzhen Evening Post)
Recently, the governments of the HKSAR and Shenzhen set up the HetaoShenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone, representing a milestone in Hong Kong-Shenzhen exchange and integration. This 30-minute scientific research circle includes the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park and the Shenzhen Park, featuring 800,000 sqm of scientific research space in 2024.
Development positionings: (1) pilot zone for Shenzhen-Hong Kong active co-operation in technology and innovation; (2) testing zone for new rules of international advanced technology and innovation; (3) cluster for pilot production and transformation for the GBA.
Hong Kong’s proven track record of I&T events
Hong Kong is attracting top-tier information and innovation technology events that foster collaboration and creativity, from homegrown gatherings to international conferences. This continuous growth in scale and significance further solidifies Hong Kong's position as a global leader in the field.
Homegrown event: Hong Kong FinTech Week 2024
"Hong Kong FinTech Week 2024 was a remarkable success, attracting over 37,000 attendees and featuring more than 800 distinguished speakers. We will continue to actively expand and deepen our overseas networks, forge more financial co-operation and organise more international financial mega-events in Hong Kong."
Alpha Lau
Director-General of Investment Promotion, Invest Hong Kong
Local Venture Capital Forum for Tech Innovators: Cyberport Venture Capital Forum 2024
"Hong Kong is the ideal testbed for technological innovations, especially in FinTech. The two-day event gathered over 90 influential venture experts, entrepreneurial visionaries and innovative thinkers to celebrate our seventh anniversary, with total investments surpassing HK$2.5bn and membership exceeding 200. Cyberport aims to be a super connector, helping overseas tech companies access the GBA or ASEAN markets. Hong Kong is also an ideal launchpad for mainland Chinese tech firms seeking to internationalise their products."
Eric Chan Sze-yuen
Chief Public Mission Officer, Cyberport
Second year in Hong Kong: 5th Annual Technology for Change Asia 2025
“Hong Kong is a phenomenal location for bringing the technology ecosystems together. That’s really how we drive innovation, partnership and change. Hong Kong is so well-connected, and a unique city with a nice blend of tradition and modernity. The new event venues are also so well put together, and that presents a great opportunity for organisers to have increasingly growing events.”
Asif Chaudhury
Managing Director, Asia at The Economist
First-ever: Consensus Hong Kong 2025
“The scale of the inaugural Hong Kong event has surpassed our expectations, with nearly 10,000 attendees. Hong Kong, a FinTech hub in Asia, serves as a global centre for crypto and Web3 technologies, with favourable policies and a large pool of talent for blockchain, digital assets and Web3 to thrive. We are thrilled to see that over 75 per cent of attendees are coming from outside Hong Kong. A truly international event! The city has proven the ideal choice for expanding Consensus beyond North America.”
Sara Stratoberdha
CEO, Coindesk
Returned event: SIGGRAPH Asia 2025
“We are thrilled to bring SIGGRAPH Asia back to Hong Kong. The city’s dynamic and innovative environment, combined with its strategic location, gateway to Mainland China and the GBA, and strong support from both the government and industry, make it the perfect venue for our 2025 conference. We look forward to building on the success of our previous events here and showcasing the latest advancement in computer graphics and interactive techniques.”
Taku Komura
Conference Chair and Professor at the University of Hong Kong
Data source: Global Financial Centres Index, IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, startupgenom, InvestHK, newsgov.hk, Brand Hong Kong, Innovation and Technology Commission, Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, Policy Address 2024, 2025-26 Budget, Shenzhen Government Online, HSITP, cnbayarea, GII 2024, QS World University Overall Ranking (2024), Clarivate Annual Highly Cited Researchers List (2024)
