Hong Kong PITAS: eligibility and milestones to check

What PITAS is and why it matters to Hong Kong's startup ecosystem

The Pilot Innovation and Technology Accelerator Scheme (PITAS) is a funding programme under the Innovation and Technology Fund that aims to attract professional I&T enterprise service providers with proven track records in and beyond Hong Kong to set up accelerator bases in the city. The Hong Kong Government launched PITAS on 29 January 2026. The Chief Executive announced the HK$180 million pilot scheme in the Policy Address. Through the business networks and experience of approved providers, the scheme is designed to support the development and needs of I&T enterprises in a more comprehensive and targeted manner. Approved accelerators receive government support on a one-to-two matching basis, to a ceiling subsidy of HK$30 million.

Who can apply: the eligibility rules

Applicants must be enterprises incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) or its predecessor, the predecessor Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32). The enterprise, its founders, or its organisations must have at least five years of experience in supporting the development of technology start-ups in or beyond Hong Kong, such as providing acceleration services to such start-ups. To provide more flexibility, start-up service providers that have just landed in Hong Kong within six months before the start of the application period are allowed to submit applications.

Approved operators must set up their physical operational bases in Hong Kong and commence operation and provide acceleration services not later than 12 months from the date of application submission. The operational bases in Hong Kong must employ at least three full-time staff members to implement PITAS. Those bases must also provide value-added services such as venue and facilities, R&D support, mentorship, domain expert consultation and business networking to start-ups.

Funding amount and how the 1:2 matching works

Each applicant is allocated funding for one project only, and the total amount of approved funding is up to HK$30 million. The Government provides the subsidy on a one-to-two matching basis between the Government and the applicant. Funding covers the necessary expenditure for establishing and operating I&T accelerators, and the work must be conducted within the territory of Hong Kong. Covered items include setting up accelerator bases in Hong Kong, with the subsidy covering up to 50% of the total amount of approved funding. The guidelines reference settings such as Hong Kong Science Park, Cyberport and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park as contexts for operating accelerator bases. Covered costs also extend to operating accelerator bases in Hong Kong, such as utility costs, and to production facilities in Hong Kong used to provide acceleration services. Expenses incurred by activities held outside Hong Kong are not covered. The maximum project duration is three years.

Milestone obligations and deadlines

An approved accelerator must set up its physical operational base in Hong Kong and commence operation and provide acceleration services not later than 12 months from the date of application submission. The funded project runs for a maximum of three years. The Assessment Committee's terms of reference include monitoring the implementation of PITAS, reviewing its effectiveness, and advising on the disbursement of funds, so milestone performance is formally tracked rather than left to self-reporting.

How applications are scored

Applications are assessed on individual merits against five weighted criteria. The experience of the applicant (or its founder or organisation) carries 35% weight. The operational model carries 25%. Capital and resources carry 20%. The quality of the management and project teams carries 10%. The benefits to the I&T start-ups ecosystem in Hong Kong carry 10%. The Assessment Committee, comprising members with extensive experience in technology and business development, evaluates the applications.

Application and approval process

The Application Guidelines and Application Form were issued in January 2026. An Online Briefing Session on PITAS was held on 26 February 2026. Upon receipt of applications, the Secretariat checks eligibility and conducts preliminary assessments, then selects eligible applications for review. Applications supported by the Assessment Committee are submitted to the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology for approval of funding. Applications closed as of 30 April 2026.

What founders and accelerator applicants should do next

Applications for PITAS closed as of 30 April 2026. Verifying each eligibility and milestone rule against the published guidelines remains the responsible first step before relying on the scheme.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to apply for PITAS?

Eligible applicants must be incorporated in Hong Kong under Cap. 622 or its predecessor Cap. 32, have at least five years of experience supporting technology start-ups, set up a physical operational base in Hong Kong within 12 months, and employ at least three full-time staff. Providers that just landed in Hong Kong within six months before the application period may also apply.

What is the maximum PITAS funding and how does the 1:2 match work?

The total approved funding is up to HK$30 million per applicant, with the Government providing subsidy on a one-to-two matching basis. Funding covers necessary expenditure for establishing and operating I&T accelerators in Hong Kong, over a maximum of three years.

What milestone deadlines must an approved accelerator meet?

An approved accelerator must commence operation and provide acceleration services not later than 12 months from the date of application submission, with the project running a maximum of three years.

What are the five assessment criteria and their weightings?

Experience of the applicant (35%), operational model (25%), capital and resources (20%), quality of management and project teams (10%), and benefits to the Hong Kong I&T start-ups ecosystem (10%).

What is the full application and approval process?

Guidelines and form issued in January 2026, an online briefing on 26 February 2026, Secretariat eligibility check and preliminary assessment, Assessment Committee review, then submission to the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology for approval. Applications closed on 30 April 2026.

Is PITAS still open, and what should applicants do now?

Applications closed as of 30 April 2026.

About the sources

This article draws on the Innovation and Technology Fund's PITAS programme page (9 September 2026), the Innovation and Technology Commission press release launching the scheme (29 January 2026), the PITAS Assessment Committee terms of reference (18 August 2026), the PITAS Application Guidelines (issued January 2026), and the Legislative Council funding paper FCR(2025-26)44 (12 September 2025). All eligibility and milestone statements reflect those official publications.