Cyberport Incubation Programme Eligibility: HK Company Under 7 Years, 51% Founder Control, a Product Within 12 to 18 Months
Cyberport's incubation programme requires a Hong Kong-incorporated digital tech company under 7 years old, founders holding at least 51%, and a product launchable within 12 to 18 months — plus how those tests differ from HKSTP's.
Cyberport's incubation programme accepts a digital tech company limited by shares that is incorporated in Hong Kong for less than 7 years (or is in the process of incorporating) at the application deadline, has a viable business plan with a product that can be launched within 12 to 18 months, and has founders who collectively hold at least 51% of the company's shares or have absolute control (Cyberport Incubation Programme page, no update date shown, checked 2026-10-01). The programme runs for 24 months and offers up to HK$500,000 in financial assistance plus HK$200,000 of on-site rental subsidy (same source). One caveat before you plan around those numbers: Cyberport says the programme "will be undergoing enhancements" and that details of the updated programme will be announced soon.
What exactly does Cyberport require at the application stage?
The eligibility tests published on the Cyberport Incubation Programme page are:
- Company form and age — a registered digital tech company limited by shares, incorporated in Hong Kong less than 7 years at the application deadline; companies in the process of incorporation can also apply.
- Business plan and product timing — a viable business plan with a product that can be launched to market within 12 to 18 months.
- Founder control — founders collectively must hold at least 51% of the company shares, or have absolute control.
- Local presence during incubation — all incubatees must maintain local presence with at least one local authorised representative (a founder or a local full-time employee) physically working in Hong Kong.
Cyberport's page does not show a publication or update date, so treat these as the terms currently displayed rather than as terms fixed for a future intake.
How do these tests differ from HKSTP's incubation programme?
The two programmes test similar things — company age, founder shareholding, local substance — but not with the same thresholds. HKSTP's requirements below come from the Incubation Programme Guide Version 13 (26 March 2026) and its programme page (checked 2026-10-01).
| Test | Cyberport CIP | HKSTP Incubation Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Company age | Incorporated in Hong Kong less than 7 years at the application deadline, or in progress of incorporation | Date of incorporation no more than 5 years before the date of submission |
| Company form | Digital tech company limited by shares | Technology start-up company limited by shares incorporated under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) |
| Technology scope | Digital tech | Activities related to Electronics, Information & Communications Technology, Material and Precision Engineering or Green Technology |
| Founder shareholding | At least 51% collectively, or absolute control | Founders collectively must directly hold at least 51% of the issued shares |
| Staffing at application | Not stated on the programme page | At least two full-time staff at the time of submission, all able to work in Hong Kong legally; at least 50% of full-time staff at recognised premises engaged in core R&D |
| Product timing | Product launchable within 12 to 18 months | Not stated in the guide as a 12–18 month test |
| Programme length | 24 months | 3 years |
| Concurrent incubation | Not stated on the programme page | Applicant must not currently be a participant of any incubation programme offered by HKSTP, Cyberport Management Company Limited or Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited |
The practical difference for an early team is the combination: Cyberport's gate is company age, product readiness and founder control, while HKSTP adds a headcount test at the moment you apply and a technology-area test.
What money does Cyberport's programme actually pay, and when?
Headline amounts: up to HK$500,000 in financial assistance and HK$200,000 on-site rental subsidy over the 24-month journey (Cyberport Incubation Programme page, checked 2026-10-01). The staged breakdown is published only in an image embedded on that page (funding-details_en.png, no date shown, checked 2026-10-01):
- Initial working capital grant: HK$100,000 on admission.
- Progress-review grants: up to HK$200,000 in total on completion of the six-month progress reviews — HK$50,000 at month 6, HK$50,000 at month 12, HK$100,000 at month 24.
- Performance-driven two-tiered assessment: up to HK$200,000.
On-site incubatees also get rent-free working space at Cyberport, plus free use of shared facilities such as meeting rooms, conference halls and shared workspaces (Cyberport Incubation Programme page).
What do you have to show when you graduate?
At graduation, incubatees must submit audited financial statements or an agreed-upon procedures report showing minimum expenses of HK$400,000 on eligible items during the incubation period (Cyberport Incubation Programme page, checked 2026-10-01).
When are the deadlines, and does the 2027 intake use these same terms?
The application timeline published on Cyberport's programme page (no update date shown, checked 2026-10-01):
| Intake | Online application deadline | Assessment and announcement |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | 1 April 2026 | — |
| Oct 2026 | 3 August 2026 | — |
| Feb 2027 | 1 December 2026 | Assessment December 2026 – January 2027; results announced February 2027 |
The page's current status reads "Applications for the next Intake will open soon." Because Cyberport has also said the programme is being enhanced with updated details to be announced, the official materials do not state whether the February 2027 intake will run on the funding amounts and eligibility criteria currently displayed. If you are timing an application around those figures, confirm them against the page when the next intake opens.
What if your company is not incorporated yet?
Cyberport points teams that are not yet incorporated to the Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF) as a starting point, before moving into the incubation programme (Cyberport Incubation Programme page).
How do HKSTP's funding amounts compare, if you are weighing both?
For reference, HKSTP's incubation programme caps funding at HK$1,290,000 per incubatee across its 3-year term, subject to change at HKSTP's sole discretion (Incubation Programme Guide Version 13, 26 March 2026, checked 2026-10-01). Under the revamped track that applies to incubatees whose second milestone assessment falls on or after 1 April 2026, cash subsidy is HK$140,000 in year 1, HK$420,000 in year 2 and HK$280,000 in year 3 — a total cap of HK$840,000 — with rental subsidy of HK$150,000 a year, HK$450,000 over three years. The legacy track, for second milestone assessments due before 1 April 2026, provides cash subsidy of HK$280,000 per year. Rental subsidy is HK$12,500 per month, with unspent balances from years 1 and 2 carried forward to year 3. Incubatees are also prohibited from seeking other Hong Kong Government funding for the same R&D project without HKSTP's written approval. HKSTP's separate Incu-Bio programme offers up to HK$6 million, made up of a HK$4 million financial subsidy and a HK$2 million upfront grant for regulatory activities such as clinical trials (HKSTP Incu-Bio page, no date shown, checked 2026-10-01).
FAQ
Can I apply if my company is still being incorporated?
Yes, according to Cyberport: the test is a registered digital tech company limited by shares incorporated in Hong Kong less than 7 years, "or in progress of incorporation," at the application deadline. Teams not yet incorporated are directed to CCMF first.
Can I join HKSTP's incubation programme and Cyberport's CIP at the same time?
HKSTP's guide states that the applicant "must not currently be a participant of any incubation programmes offered by either HKSTP, Cyberport Management Company Limited, or Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited." Check Cyberport's own current terms on concurrent participation before applying to both.
Does HKSTP require the same 7-year window as Cyberport?
No. HKSTP's guide requires the applicant's date of incorporation to be no more than five years before the date of submission, and additionally requires at least two full-time staff at the time of application, all legally able to work in Hong Kong.
Will the February 2027 intake use the HK$500,000 and HK$200,000 amounts?
Cyberport says the programme is being enhanced and that updated details will be announced soon; the official materials do not state whether the February 2027 intake will use the currently displayed amounts and eligibility criteria. The deadline listed for that intake is 1 December 2026.
How much do I need to have spent by the time I graduate from CIP?
Graduation requires audited financial statements or an agreed-upon procedures report showing minimum expenses of HK$400,000 on eligible items during the incubation period.
