Startupbusiness is launching a new strategic partnership with HKSTP, the Hong Kong Scientific and Technology Park, with the aim of actively contributing to building new opportunities both for Italian and European companies that may be interested in exploring what the Hong Kong ecosystem has to offer, which we have written about extensively here, and for providing a window of access to European markets for innovative companies emerging from the science and technology park. The partnership also aims to raise awareness of the success stories of international companies that are developing in Hong Kong through HKSTP programmes and Asian companies that have expanded from Hong Kong to Europe.
The first step in this collaboration is to bring the ‘soft landing’ programme to the attention of entrepreneurs who read Startupbusiness. HKSTP has been developing this programme for years and its next deadline, one of several throughout the year, is 23 March 2026.
The programme involves a series of steps and initially allows participants to learn about the opportunities offered by the Asian city’s ecosystem and the specific features of HKSTP’s offering. Participation in the programme does not entail any obligations but allows participants to decide at a certain point whether to take the next steps and establish a formal presence in Hong Kong, which is the first step to then access the grant that the programme includes for companies that choose to participate, which amounts to a total of HK$100,000, approximately €10,000, in addition to support for business development and, if necessary, the establishment of an initial physical location in the science park buildings. which has its main campus in the Hong Kong area known as Sha Tin, where the Chinese University of Hong Kong is also located, and an additional campus in the city of Shenzhen, on the Chinese mainland. It should be noted that Shenzhen is considered the most technologically advanced city in the country and is easily accessible from Hong Kong by train or underground.
To request further information about the programme, which will launch its first batch in 2026, you can register with HKSTP’s Global Connect community at this link, which also gives you access to the regular newsletter. If you would like to apply for the programme directly, you can do so by filling in the form on this page.
The soft-landing programme is an opportunity that allows you to explore the Asian market without any initial commitment and to do so by leveraging Hong Kong’s ecosystem, which acts as a gateway to China, the so-called Great Bay Area and Asia as a whole. In addition, the programme acts as a guide, accompanying entrepreneurs step by step throughout the process of approaching the market and helping them with various choices. It provides comprehensive support that includes the creation of business opportunities, financial contributions through grants that are paid out in stages, access to office space, promotion and development of the company in the region, technical support and training in terms of knowledge of the specific business dynamics of Asian markets, and, of course, plenty of networking with other entrepreneurs, investors, potential partners and customers. (photo taken from the HKSTP website)
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