AWG Group HK

22/01/2026

Starting a startup is risky.
That’s why the Hong Kong government established Cyberport — as a government-backed hub to support innovation- and technology-driven startups.

Cyberport operates as both a physical campus and an innovation ecosystem, offering structured support to startups at different stages of development.
Below is an overview of how Cyberport supports startups in practice:

Funding & Financial Support
Cyberport administers and supports a range of government-backed funding and incubation programmes, primarily targeted at early-stage technology startups.
These programmes may include:
- Seed and early-stage funding schemes
- Support for research, development, and innovation activities
- Non-equity or partially non-dilutive funding at early stages
Funding is application-based and subject to eligibility criteria and assessment.

Subsidised Workspace & Infrastructure
Cyberport provides startups with access to:
- Subsidised office spaces and co-working facilities
- Shared infrastructure and digital connectivity
- A campus environment designed for technology and digital businesses
This helps startups manage operating costs during their early growth phases.

Startup Ecosystem & Support Network
Beyond physical space, Cyberport functions as a startup ecosystem that connects companies with:
- Mentors and industry practitioners
- Investors and corporate partners
- Peer founders and startup communities
Support is delivered through structured programmes, events, and networking platforms.

Market Access & Expansion Exposure
Cyberport also facilitates market exposure opportunities, including:
- Programmes related to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)
- Overseas exposure and international engagement initiatives
- Participation in government-led or government-supported delegations and events
These initiatives are designed to help startups explore regional and international markets.

Credibility & Institutional Support
As a government-backed organisation, Cyberport provides:
- Institutional recognition within Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem
- Enhanced credibility when engaging with investors, partners, and stakeholders
While not a guarantee of success, this backing can support trust-building in early business development.

For founders considering starting a technology or innovation-driven business in Hong Kong, Cyberport remains one of the key government-supported entry points into the local startup ecosystem.

For detailed eligibility requirements and programme information, founders should refer to official Cyberport publications and government sources.

21/01/2026

Hong Kong organisations looking to run cross-border R&D collaboration with Mainland partners can apply under the Mainland-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme (MHKTCFS), under the Innovation and Technology Fund.
MHKTCFS aims to encourage R&D collaboration among universities, research institutes and technology enterprises in the Mainland and Hong Kong. (Innovation and Technology Fund)

Who can apply
• The lead applicant must be an R&D Centre or a designated local public research institute.
• For collaborative projects, the industry co-applicant can be a Hong Kong incorporated company (Companies Ordinance Cap. 622), or an established industry support organisation / trade and industry association / professional body with legal capacity to contract.
Project types under mhktcfs
MHKTCFS supports platform and collaborative R&D projects with a Mainland-Hong Kong cooperation element, across three categories:
• Projects jointly funded by Mainland and Hong Kong (with the Ministry of Science and Technology )
• Projects jointly funded by Guangdong and Hong Kong
• Projects jointly funded by Shenzhen and Hong Kong

Key requirements
• R&D work must be conducted in both the Mainland and Hong Kong.
• Maximum project duration: 24 months.

Industry sponsorship requirement
• Platform projects: industry sponsorship of at least 10% of total project cost
• Collaborative projects: industry sponsorship of at least 50% of total project cost
• Platform projects: IP rights owned by the lead applicant
• Collaborative projects: IP rights owned by the industry co-applicant if it contributes at least 50% of total project cost

Funding arrangement
ITC and the relevant Mainland authority will fund the Hong Kong and Mainland applicant organisations respectively, and monitor project progress according to their own requirements.
Application arrangement
• MHKTCFS invites applications once a year.
• Applications must be submitted simultaneously by the Hong Kong and Mainland applicant organisations to ITC and the relevant Mainland authority respectively; unilateral submission is not accepted.
• Only proposals under the specified themes/topics listed in the Annex of the application guide will be accepted.

If you’re already working with a Mainland research partner (or planning to), this scheme is one of the clearest pathways to turn a joint R&D idea into a funded, structured cross-border project.

20/01/2026

R&D spending in Hong Kong can be more tax-efficient than many teams realise.

Under Hong Kong’s Enhanced Tax Deduction for R&D, companies can claim a higher profits tax deduction for qualifying R&D expenditure, including payments made to Designated Local Research Institutions (DLRIs) for qualifying R&D work.

How the deduction works
• 300% tax deduction on the first HK$2,000,000 of the aggregate amount of:
– payments to DLRIs for qualifying R&D activities, and
– qualifying R&D expenditures incurred by the enterprise
• 200% tax deduction on the remaining amount
• No cap on the amount of enhanced tax deduction

What is a “DLRI ”
A DLRI is a designated institution in Hong Kong that undertakes qualifying R&D activities, including:
• universities or colleges located in Hong Kong, and
• other local institutions (e.g., institutes, associations, organisations, corporations) located in Hong Kong that conduct qualifying R&D in Hong Kong.

Who can benefit
• Companies that engage DLRIs to undertake qualifying R&D activities may claim enhanced tax deduction for the payments made.
• If a local institution becomes a DLRI within 6 months after a company has made payments to it, the company may still claim enhanced tax deduction in respect of those payments.
• All taxation matters relating to the enhanced tax deduction are handled and determined by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) under the Inland Revenue Ordinance.

How to apply (DLRI designation)
Institutions that meet the criteria can apply for DLRI designation by submitting the required forms and supporting documents through the official government submission channels (online / email / post), as set out by the Innovation and Technology Commission.

If your team is doing R&D in Hong Kong, it’s worth checking whether DLRI-based R&D spend could be structured in a way that unlocks enhanced deductions.

19/01/2026

Hong Kong companies conducting in-house research and development now have access to dedicated government funding through the Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS) under the Innovation and Technology Fund.

ESS was launched in 2015 to encourage private sector investment in R&D by providing co-funding support for local company-led R&D projects.

Who Can Apply
• Companies incorporated in Hong Kong and holding a valid business registration certificate.
• Applicants must not be government-funded institutions or their subsidiaries.

Funding Support
• ESS provides funding on a 1:1 matching basis — government funding must be matched by the applicant’s own contribution.
• Each approved project can receive up to HK$10 million in total funding support.

Project Duration
• Typical project duration under ESS is no more than 24 months.
Intellectual Property
• The applicant company retains ownership of the intellectual property generated from the project.
• There is no requirement to repay government funding if the project is successful or commercialised.

Application Process
• ESS is generally open for application all year round.
• Applicants must submit the completed application form with supporting documents via the Innovation and Technology Commission funding system and in hard copy where required.

ESS aims to strengthen the capacity of local companies to invest in their own R&D, develop technological capabilities, and enhance innovation in industry through co-funded projects.

16/01/2026

Hong Kong universities now have access to one of the city’s most significant research commercialisation funding schemes.

RAISe+ (Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme), under the Innovation and Technology Fund, is designed to support UGC-funded universities in transforming research outcomes into commercially viable solutions through structured industry collaboration.
Below is a clear overview of how the scheme works.

Funding Amount & Structure
RAISe+ provides up to HK$100 million in government funding per project, delivered through a two-stage matching mechanism.
Stage 1 – R&D Transformation Stage
• Funding on a 2:1 matching basis (Government : Industry + University)
• Focuses on transforming applied research outcomes and strengthening market readiness
• Suitable for projects approaching completion of applied R&D but not yet ready for full commercialisation

Stage 2 – Commercialisation Initiation Stage
• Funding on a 1:1 matching basis (Government : Industry)
• Supports early commercialisation activities and market entry
• Entry into Stage 2 is subject to performance review and milestone achievement
Projects may start from Stage 1 or directly from Stage 2, depending on maturity.

Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants are:
• Universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC)
• Each university may submit multiple project proposals per application cycle
• Projects must be led by a designated Person-in-Charge affiliated with the university
Industry sponsorship is mandatory for all applications, ensuring market relevance and private-sector commitment.

Key Requirements
• The university/inventors must hold at least 70% of the IP benefits generated during the project period
• Projects are assessed on both technical merit and commercial viability
• Evaluation involves peer review, business assessment, and steering committee approval

What the Funding Supports
RAISe+ focuses on ex*****on and impact, including:
• Transformation of R&D outcomes
• Prototype development and validation
• Early commercialisation activities
• Industry collaboration and deployment planning

Pure academic research without a clear commercial pathway is generally not the target.

RAISe+ represents a structured pathway for universities to bridge the gap between research excellence and real-world impact, while strengthening academia-industry collaboration at scale.

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