HKSTP bets on one-campus model to boost startups

The integrated approach contrasts with Singapore's decentralised support system.

Singapore's startup ecosystem may span multiple agencies, but Hong Kong is betting that putting funding, laboratories, investors, business partners, and startup support services on a single campus can speed up the journey from research to commercialisation.

The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) offers startups office space, laboratories, funding, investor access, marketing support, and dedicated account managers within its science park, Eric Or, chief ecosystem development officer at HKSTP, told reporters on 2 July.

“We have something end-to-end,” Or said. “That’s our differentiation, because everything that I talked about is happening within the science park.”

Successful applicants receive seed funding of about $16,500 (HK$100,000), followed by grants of up to $214,000 (HK$1.3m). Startups that meet growth targets can access as much as $3.5m (HK$21m) in combined funding and support.

HKSTP also offers office space at heavily subsidised rents, whilst the campus has spent about $33m (HK$200m) over the past four years building research labs that startups can use at minimal cost.

“We charge them almost nothing because some of these startups can't afford expensive labs,” Or said.

He added that account managers help founders recruit staff, connect with banks and investors, find customers, and market their products.

The ecosystem includes delivery platform Lalamove, operated by Easy Mobile Logistics Hong Kong Ltd. and artificial intelligence company SmartMore Corporation Ltd. HKSTP said it has supported 13 unicorns, including five founded in Hong Kong.

Singapore also offers grants, funding, and business support through organisations such as Enterprise Singapore and StageOne, but Or said those services are spread across multiple agencies and locations rather than a single integrated campus.

HKSTP spans 22 hectares and houses about 360 biotechnology companies, more than 17,000 research and development professionals, and about 26,000 workers.

Or said the park is reserved for research activities rather than sales operations. He noted that one company was asked to leave after converting its office into a sales centre.

HKSTP has not received government funding since 2018, Or said. It operates its own investment fund with portfolio assets of about $296m (HK$1.8b) across 117 companies.

The programme is open to founders of any nationality, provided their businesses are registered in Hong Kong.

($1 = HK$6.06 as of 2 July 2026)