Hong Kong Trade Development Council: Hong Kong's startup ecosystem is growing rapidly with the number of startups increasing to 4700.

The Director of the Hong Kong Business and Economic Development Bureau, Christopher Hui, emphasized at the main forum event of StartmeupHK Entrepreneurship Festival 2025 during Hong Kong FinTech Week that Hong Kong's startup ecosystem is growing rapidly, with the number of startups increasing nearly threefold over the past decade to about 4,700 last year. Hui also outlined the measures introduced by the Hong Kong government to support the continuous growth of startups. He stated, "In terms of intellectual property, we will assist innovative companies in financing through intellectual property to enhance the ecosystem of intellectual property trade, including the introduction of an intellectual property financing sandbox, and providing patent assessments for enterprises." He also added, "The government has also introduced other support measures, such as the newly revised 'Arrangement between Mainland and Hong Kong on the Establishment of Closer Economic and Trade Relations' agreement, a new company registry system, various SME funding schemes, and tax incentives." Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, in his opening address at the above-mentioned event, pointed out that Hong Kong has risen to the third position overall in terms of foreign direct investment inflows in this year's 'World Investment Report' by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Hong Kong's first public offering fundraising achievement this year was remarkable, reflecting Hong Kong's position as a vibrant world-leading listing and fundraising hub. He said, "These international accolades fully reflect Hong Kong's position as a 'super-connector' and 'super value-added person.' We spare no effort in building bridges for markets in the country and around the world and helping startups evolve from local prototypes to global success stories." John Lee Ka-chiu emphasized that Hong Kong, as a bridge for innovation and collaboration, will better leverage its strengths. He said, "Hong Kong is committed to collaboration, striving for innovation, and dedicated to enabling businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals to unleash their potential." The Financial Secretary of Hong Kong, Paul Chan Mo-po, discussed Hong Kong's strategic vision for financial technology, highlighting the enormous potential of digital transformation, with regulatory agencies in Hong Kong also playing an important role in fostering innovation. He said, "Over the past ten years, events like Hong Kong FinTech Week and StartmeupHK Entrepreneurship Festival have showcased influence, ambition, and creativity. They bring together entrepreneurs, global investors, policy makers, and industry pioneers from around the world, all sharing the common belief that technology can make finance more inclusive, efficient, and human-centered." It is reported that this year's main forum will feature 11 thematic forums, carefully planned to cover various key areas, including the Artificial Intelligence and Frontier Technology Forum, Digital Finance Forum, Health Technology Forum, and Global Innovation and Intelligence China Forum. Keynote speakers include leaders in the fields of technology and finance: - Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters - World Economic Forum Head of Financial Services Technology and Innovation, Drew Propson - Ant Group Chairman Eric Jing - 3C AGI Partners Founder and CEO Wang Kangman - Tencent Vice President and Head of Tencent Financial Technology Business, Lin Haifeng - Nobel Prize in Physics laureate and retired professor at the University of Toronto, Geoffrey Hinton - HSBC Group CEO Noel Quinn - Franklin Templeton President and CEO Jenny Johnson - President and Chairman of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Jin Liqun - Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China Lu Lei Their participation highlights Hong Kong's unique role as a global convergence point for technology, finance, and entrepreneurship.