Insights from InvestHK in London: Daisy Ip, Head of Investment Promotion for Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) in London, shares her experience at London Tech Week, in particular how local business conversations have evolved amid changing global dynamics.
British startups account for more than 10% of non-local startup founders in Hong Kong – second only to those from the Chinese mainland – demonstrating that UK startups continue to value Hong Kong as a springboard for expanding their businesses across Asia.
For UK-based fintech startups, Hong Kong’s compelling mix of regulatory clarity, a simple and low-rate tax system, global financial infrastructure, and access to fast-growing markets, is highly attractive, according to Daisy Ip, Head of Investment Promotion for Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) in London. She adds that Hong Kong government support – and funding – is also a draw.
The UK-Hong Kong Fintech Bridge plays a significant role. Established in September 2017, it fosters collaboration between the UK and Hong Kong’s financial technology sectors, facilitating investment, regulatory cooperation, and market access. It provides an effective framework for fintech firms in both regions to explore new business opportunities and expand internationally.
“We provide a gateway to mainland China and the Greater Bay Area. Our common law system, which mirrors the UK’s, along with a predominantly English-speaking business environment, makes Hong Kong a natural choice for international expansion,” said Ip, speaking at London Tech Week 2025. Ip also highlighted Hong Kong’s business-friendly tax system.
Daisy Ip in a red dress smiles while sitting at a booth during Hong Kong FinTech Week. Behind her is a purple screen displaying event details and statistics about attendees, speakers, and sponsors. | FintechZoom
Strong appetite for UK-Hong Kong bilateral collaboration
InvestHK offers comprehensive support to businesses moving to Hong Kong, assisting then with logistics, company registration, banking and professional services and more, including market exploration and post-launch scaling.
“We offer tailored services and free, confidential advice on business setup, regulatory consultation, and visa options to help firms attract and retain talent in Hong Kong,” said Ip.
With strong appetite for UK-Hong Kong bilateral collaboration, InvestHK works closely with both local regulators — including the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Insurance Authority, and Securities and Futures Commission — and international stakeholders to support fintech connections and bilateral engagement. These cross-departmental efforts are helping to strengthen regulatory dialogue and open new avenues for market access.
InvestHK also plays a leading role in hosting two of the city’s flagship innovation events: Hong Kong FinTech Week and the StartmeupHK Festival, both celebrating their 10th anniversaries in 2025. Over the past decade, these events have grown into internationally recognised platforms for showcasing financial innovation, supporting global startup exchange, and fostering industry collaboration across regions.
Hong Kong’s pro-growth environment is backed by ample funding. As a regional financial hub, it offers access to capital. As well, the city offers other financial incentives. The government has committed HK$200 billion (about £20 billion) to back startups with high-growth potential. This funding is allocated to fast-advancing sectors, such as fintech, artificial intelligence, and tech innovation. Typically, recipients will have operated in Hong Kong for 3-4 years and demonstrated commercial viability.
Fintech Expansion in AI, Innovation, and Sustainability
Fintech continues to lead the startup sector in Hong Kong, followed by ICT, e-commerce, education, and data analytics. “Green and sustainable finance is gaining momentum, with increasing demand for ESG data platforms, green bond issuance tools, and carbon market infrastructure,” said Ip.
AI-driven solutions are booming, particularly in Insurtech, by leveraging Hong Kong’s financial ecosystem to scale. Digital assets also remain one of the fastest-growing areas in the fintech landscape, with Hong Kong taking a lead in regulation. Meanwhile, cross-border payments remain a hotbed of innovation, particularly in technologies supporting trade and financial integration between mainland China, ASEAN, and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
These sectors reflect Hong Kong’s strong value proposition: regulatory maturity, access to capital, and a forward-thinking approach to fintech development – all underpinned by a favourable tax system. As a key regional trading hub, Hong Kong also handles large volumes of cross-border payments with China, ASEAN, and Southeast Asia, further strengthening its fintech advantage.
However, while the number of international startups (excluding those from mainland China) in Hong Kong declined slightly between 2023 and 2024, Ip offers a broader more positive perspective: “Startup activity in Hong Kong is still breaking records. Our survey shows we’re nearing 4,700 startups in 2024—a 40% jump since 2020. Momentum remains strong in fintech, ICT, and e-commerce, and we’ve seen notable growth in healthtech and greentech as demand for solutions in wellness and sustainability solutions rises.”.
International founders remain integral to the ecosystem, consistently accounting for nearly 30% of all startup founders in Hong Kong in recent years. Ip views this ongoing momentum as part of a strategic realignment of global capital: “We’re seeing capital flow into markets with solid fundamentals. Hong Kong continues to offer the right mix of regulatory clarity, market access, and cross-border connectivity.”
Looking Ahead: Long-Term Investment and Collaboration
InvestHK is focused on long-term strategic growth. Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem benefits from both international founder participation and strong education and incubation support. Hong Kong has some of the region’s leading incubators for fintech startups, including Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, and Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park – the latest cross-boundary flagship project set to commence operations later this year. It is expected to further strengthen Hong Kong’s integration with the Greater Bay Area’s innovation and technology ecosystem.
To attract skilled talent, the government has introduced initiatives such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), which fast-tracks visa applications for high-calibre international professionals and graduates to live and work in the city. The city is also expanding its global reach, building ties with emerging markets including ASEAN countries and the Middle East.
Ip sees strong potential for further UK-Hong Kong collaboration: “We see promise in joint research partnerships, talent exchange, and regulatory cooperation. These types of collaboration help both markets remain competitive and agile in a rapidly evolving digital economy.”
With robust infrastructure, financial backing, and international ties, Hong Kong continues to offer a fertile environment for fintech and tech firms looking to scale across Asia—and the UK-Hong Kong bridge is only growing stronger.
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