Hong Kong Investment Promotion Agency: Global Fast Track Program 2026 now accepting applications from today.

On May 4th, the Hong Kong Investment Promotion Bureau announced that the 9th Global Fast Track Program 2026 is now accepting applications, with a deadline of September 25th. This flagship program covers eight major verticals for the first time and adds an online market lead program and a comprehensive upgrade to the roadshow competition, providing a platform for global innovative technology companies to showcase their solutions and offering more diverse and flexible pathways to expand into the Asian and international markets starting in Hong Kong. The program will revolve around the Hong Kong Fintech Week x StartmeupHK 2026, providing participating companies with tailored business matching, one-on-one meetings with enterprises, investors, and industry communities, on-site roadshows, mentorship, and market expansion support to help companies expand their innovative achievements. Leung Hon Jing, President of Financial Services and Technology and Sustainable Development Global at the Hong Kong Investment Promotion Bureau, stated that each edition of the Global Fast Track Program has brought together excellent innovative solutions from around the world, covering financial technology and various cutting-edge technology fields, leaving a deep impression in terms of quality and diversity. As Hong Kong continues to consolidate its position as an international financial and technology hub, this year's program fully embodies the government's long-term commitment to promoting cross-border cooperation and sustainable growth. By bringing together innovators, investors, companies, and industry partners from around the world, Mainland China, and locally, the program has developed into a mature and influential platform, assisting companies in validating solutions, establishing business collaborations, and expanding into Asia and beyond. Chen Yue Zhen, President of Startups at the Hong Kong Investment Promotion Bureau, said that with the program covering more verticals and introducing multiple new elements, the Global Fast Track Program provides more opportunities for startups and growth-stage companies, allowing creativity to be put into practice. We look forward to seeing innovative achievements from more technological domains and providing founders with a clear and comprehensive development path, enhancing their market readiness, exposure, and opportunities for substantial interaction with key decision-makers. Hong Kong provides a unique environment for ambitious companies to test, optimize, and expand innovative solutions for international development. The eight major verticals include: Fintech and Insurtech, the application of Artificial Intelligence in financial services, Green Tech, Sustainable Development and Green Investments, Blockchain and Digital Assets, Health Tech, Biotech and Life Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, Siasun Robot & Automation, Real Estate Tech and Transportation, and Consumer, Smart Culture and Creative Industries. As a newly added project for this edition, the Market Lead Program is an online support program conducted before companies come to Hong Kong, aimed at helping participants better prepare to enter the market through Hong Kong. The program content includes investor interactions, business collaboration models, an overview of the Hong Kong market, regulatory and licensing requirements, and roadshow optimization techniques. The program will feature closed-door exchanges, roundtable discussions, and expert-led guidance sessions, with support from several experienced ecosystem partners, including Accenture Asia Pacific FinTech Innovation Lab, Felix Strategic Investments, Orange Juice Ventures, AFG Partners, Shenzhen Forms Syntron Information (Hong Kong) Limited, and MilestoneThree, allowing participating companies to connect with the local startup ecosystem early on and build a solid foundation for subsequent stages and long-term development. The roadshow competition for this edition will be upgraded, providing companies with more roadshow opportunities and flexible pathways for advancement. The newly introduced online roadshow preliminaries will be held from April to September, allowing companies to showcase their solutions to potential investors and clients in Hong Kong without physically visiting, enhancing early exposure and ecosystem participation. In addition to the roadshow competition, successful companies that qualify will have the opportunity to conduct live product demonstrations (Live Demo) at the Hong Kong Fintech Week x StartmeupHK 2026, demonstrating their products to a global audience, companies, and investors. Since its launch, the program has supported over 1,000 companies from more than 70 economies, helping them establish connections with domestic companies, investors, professional services providers, and industry partners.