Strategically positioned at the heart of Asia, Hong Kong serves as a vital gateway to Mainland China and the Asia-Pacific region, handling a significant portion of China's trade flow. This prime location, combined with a world-class business environment, has fueled the city’s thriving startup ecosystem. Hong Kong produced double the number of exits over $50 million in GSER 2025 compared to GSER 2024, entering the Top 40 ranking for the first time. The ecosystem jumped an impressive 20 positions in the 2025 ranking, becoming the #27 global startup ecosystem.
The number of startups in Hong Kong reached a record 4,694 in 2024, marking a 10% increase from 2023. Invest Hong Kong, the department of the Hong Kong SAR Government responsible for foreign direct investment and supporting overseas businesses to set up and expand in the country, supported 539 overseas and mainland companies in 2024, a 41% surge from 2023.
The Hong Kong government introduced the I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme with a funding allocation of $23.2 million (HK $180 million) to attract international startup accelerators. Additionally, a $1.28 billion (HK$10 billion) fund was established to invest in technology sectors such as AI, Robotics, Semiconductors, and New Energy.
Leading ecosystem builder Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) announced the transformation of InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong into the "GreenTech Hub," uniting over 200 Green Tech companies to drive R&D and showcase sustainable solutions. In April 2025, HKSTP launched the HKSTP Co-Acceleration Programme, the city’s first Public-Private Partnership in innovation and technology that targets Generative AI, Intelligent Connected Systems, and Sustainability, co-investing with partners in promising Hong Kong startups to help them scale globally.
