Hong Kong is advantageously situated to enable rapid and high scalability. It has several strategic advantages on which to expand, and its potential is only now beginning to be recognized. Hong Kong's world-class financial industry and an ideal location near the Pearl River Delta's manufacturing cluster provide them with crucial opportunities as the tech industries become significantly prevalent in the economy. Numerous stakeholders are working together to accelerate the expansion of Hong Kong's startup ecosystem, offering incubation and accelerator programs to encourage the development of startups.
In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of startup incubators and accelerators in Hong Kong. They have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation' and 'launch' stages, so you can find a program that meets you where you're at!
Topics Covered:
FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN HONG KONG
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Hong Kong
The complete list of ideation phase incubators in Hong Kong:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Design
The Design Incubation Programme (DIP) is a two-year program that assists startups in navigating and overcoming problems in the early stages of growth. Organized by the Hong Kong Design Centre, a design-focused non-profit organization, the program is created to champion strategic and broader use of design to create business value. In collaboration with creative powerhouses, professional organizations, and academic institutions, the initiative provides financial assistance, training and mentorship, and networking opportunities to help design enterprises grow.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Fashion
The Fashion Incubation Programme is a two-year program aimed at motivating, encouraging, and assisting new fashion designers and startups. As part of the program, startups will participate in training and workshops to hone their entrepreneurial skills and gain access to expert insights from industry mentors. Startups may also access fashion and technology intelligence through global databases, resource centers, material libraries, and sophisticated labs. To participate, startups will have to pay a monthly participation fee of HSD 1700, in exchange for co-creation opportunities and seed financing of up to HDK 250,000.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Deriving from the Greek word "Dendro", meaning "tree", iDendron was established to expand knowledge-based innovation and build impact-based entrepreneurship. It is the innovation and entrepreneurship hub of the University of Hong Kong, built to cultivate an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit in the university. iDendron provides numerous start-up assistance programs to HKU students, graduates, and employees; incubating HKU early-stage startups, establishing interdisciplinary collaboration, and engaging the community to support human endeavors and societal developments.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Cyberport is the leading tech hub and digital community in Hong Kong; dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial spirit, assisting startups through their development, and fostering industry development and collaborations. They offer multiple startup support programs, as well as an incubation and acceleration program that makes their know-how and technology accessible to tech startups. Their incubation program provides resources, including support over a 24-month period and a variety of commercial and professional services. Their accelerator program prepares Cyberport incubatees and alumni for worldwide markets and investors, with each successful candidate receiving up to HKD 300,000 in financial capital.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Ooosh Tech Lab is an integrated venture capital firm that provides a free incubation program, direct investments, strategic growth planning, mentor matching, and investment-readiness preparation. Through their 6-month incubation program, you will participate in a customized program that will focus on your core business areas: team building, people development, business strategy, operational guidance, and growth planning. Upon completion of the program, they will invest in your startup to kickstart your fundraising round, as well as connect you with other strategic investors in their network.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Hong Kong
The complete list of launch phase startup incubators and accelerators in Hong Kong:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
HKSTP is an institute where innovators are found, providing infrastructure, funding, corporate partnerships, access to research, and incubation and acceleration programs to accelerate startups' growth. Whether you're still at the ideation stage or are a mature startup looking to scale, they offer a comprehensive range of programs for startups at various stages. Participants of their programs will have access to the most sought-after key talents for launching new companies, a wide range of training sessions to strengthen their technical abilities, and a full introduction to their vast network in Hong Kong's startup environment.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: AI
To push the boundaries of AI and build a better future, HKAI Lab brings together academics, scientists, and entrepreneurs in the AI sector. They provide a 12-month accelerator program that will startups in commercializing AI innovations and technology from lab to the market. Aside from dedicated support and resources, the most important feature of the program is their provision of access to propriety AI technologies, including powerful GPU-equipped high-performance computing resources and PAI, a machine-learning platform powered by Alibaba Cloud.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: B2C
Matches is a tailored acceleration program that will assist founders who are transforming traditional businesses into a digitalized ecosystem and changing their businesses into an O2O platform. Through in-depth coaching, they will help you redefine your business models and reshape your business strategy in a digital manner. They will also facilitate introductions to key business relationships and the provision of crucial startup resources. Ultimately, they will assist your business to achieve commercial traction and attract early financing.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: ClimateTech, EduTech, Enterprise SaaS, FoodTech, Hardware & IoT, Healthcare, Web 3.0
BRINC is an integrated venture firm and accelerator that is dedicated to assisting and investing in game changers - entrepreneurs who are addressing some of the world's most challenging issues. Through their 3-month accelerator program, startups will be mentored and assisted in the development of their firms into the best possible shape. Each cohort concludes with a Demo Day where startups can deliver their pitches to the investors.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: ImpactTech, UNSDG
Impact Kommons is Asia's first UNSDG-focused accelerator that supports impact tech startups and facilitates collaboration opportunities with New World Group businesses, Hong Kong's premier creative agency. Through the initiative, the group aims to partner with startups to help solve issues statements shared by their business divisions that meet the UNSDGs. Along with sustainability partners and global experts, startups will be assisted in scaling solutions within the four-month accelerator program.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Eureka Nova is another initiative by New World Group intended to expedite innovation and promote the commercialization of innovative tech businesses. It is their open innovation platform that allows startups to collaborate with New World Group's business divisions and corporate partners to build breakthrough solutions that solve real-world business issues. They run multiple programs such as innovation labs, open competitions, tech conferences, sandboxes, and multiple accelerator programs for startups in diverse sectors.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Social Enterprise
SOW Asia is a non-profit organization that supports social enterprises in growing their social and/or environmental impact through investments and their accelerator program. The SOW Asia "incubation to investment" accelerator program provides a customized curriculum designed specifically for social enterprises, assisting them with prototyping, limited market trials, and preparing for investments. Their program will cover and support in the core areas of impact measurement, investor pitches, business growth strategy, marketing strategy, customer segmentation, and legal and regulatory compliance.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
ParticleX intends to accelerate the growth of tech firms in the areas of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Robotics, and more. They provide comprehensive go-to-market assistance: helping startups acquire the best talents, improving their business strategies, connecting startups with the right resources, partners and mentors, and assisting them in overcoming startup challenges and accelerating their growth. With ParticleX, each firm may receive up to a USD 200,000 investment fund to help them expand.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Techstyle (Fashion), AgriFood
The Mills Fabrica is a platform that accelerates techstyle and agrifood tech innovations for social impact and sustainability; focuses on incubating and investing in sustainable entrepreneurs. Fabrica's incubation program provides targeted support to founders as well as connect businesses to appropriate business opportunities and increasing exposure to their ecosystem of startups, corporates, investors, universities, research institutes, and others. Through the 12-month incubation program, they will assist startups in scaling globally, starting from Asia and Europe.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
LimeHK offers a tailored acceleration service for early to mid-stage entrepreneurs in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and Japan, offering in-depth coaching, key business connections, and startup resources. LimeHK's mission is to work with your firm to build commercial traction and attract capital as rapidly as possible. Their incubation services are available for early-stage startups at the ideatio and prototype stage which will provide you with bespoke mentorship to put you onto the right track and help you grow fast. Their acceleration services are targeted at mature startups who are aiming to scale internationally and will connect them with potential strategic partnerships.
Closing Thoughts on Joining a Startup Accelerator or Incubator in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a major worldwide financial hub. In the global business environment, Hong Kong is recognized for its ease of doing business, well-established legal framework, and favorable geographical position. Hong Kong is now investing in initiatives that will assist its entrepreneurs in catching up to global know-how and closing funding gaps, supporting their way to international success.
📥 Want to list your Accelerator in our article?
➡️ Fill in this form or email us at hello@xyzlab.com