Government Support for Innovation & Technology

The Innovation and Technology industry is one of the key economic areas that the Government seeks to further develop. Here you can learn about what initiatives the Government takes to promote and support the industry.

Establishment of Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau

Formally established on 20 Nov 2015, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), formerly known as Innovation and Technology Bureau, is responsible for formulating holistic policies relating to innovation and technology; strengthening the co-ordination among the Government, industry, academia and research sectors; expediting the development of innovation, technology and related industries in Hong Kong; and promoting the development of “new industrialisation” in Hong Kong. The Bureau comprises an Innovation,Technology and Industry Branch and oversees the operation of the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and the Digital Policy Office (DPO).

Other work priorities of the ITIB include collaborating with relevant policy bureaux and government departments, as well as the public and private sectors, in examining Smart City initiatives, facilitating further use of public sector information and big data applications, and developing Hong Kong into a connected Wi-Fi City.

The Innovation and Technology Fund

The Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), administered by the ITC, aims to assist local companies to upgrade their technological level and introduce innovative ideas to their businesses through 18 funding schemes. You can refer to the following site for the scheme’s details, application method and a list of funded projects.

Incubation Programmes

To assist local technology start-ups and entrepreneurs to get through the most vulnerable inception stage of their businesses, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) offer three incubation programmes to start-up tenants at the Science Park and Cyberport:

• HKSTP Incubation;
• Incu-Bio for those involved in biotechnology; and
• Cyberport Incubation Programme.

The incubation programmes provide subsidised office space, financial aid package as well as a comprehensive range of support services for the incubatees during the incubation period.

"New Industrialisation"

The Government has been actively promoting "new industrialisation" and developing advanced manufacturing, which is less land or labour-intensive, based on new technologies and smart production, with a view to creating quality employment opportunities for young people and driving the diversified development of the Hong Kong economy.  "New industrialisation" is promoted along five areas, namely infrastructure, talent, capital, technology and scientific research.

The Hong Kong ICT Awards

The Hong Kong ICT Awards aims at recognising and promoting outstanding information and communications technology (ICT) inventions and applications. It is organised by the Digital Policy Office, and led by Hong Kong ICT industry associations and professional bodies.

The ICT Industry Portal

The portal provides timely industry news, trade events information, easy sourcing, marketing tools and global business opportunities for the information and communications technology industry.

InnoEX

As the premier business platform for next-gen smart solutions, cutting-edge technologies and disruptive innovations, InnoEX is the go-to place for regional and cross-sector collaborations with a special focus on Asia.

InnoEX brings together influential tech experts, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and investors from the region to discuss collaborations, share upcoming trends and exchange insights into future opportunities.

Design Inspire

This is another event organised by the HKTDC which brings design, brand-management, marketing strategy and applied technology companies together to showcase practical technologies and commercial designs.