Pilot Innovation and Technology Accelerator Scheme (PITAS)

Objective

The PITAS aims to attract more professional start-up service providers with proven track records in and beyond Hong Kong to set up accelerator bases in Hong Kong and, through their business networks and experience, support the development and needs of start-ups in a more comprehensive and targeted manner.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. enterprises that are incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) or the predecessor Ordinance as defined in Cap. 622 (i.e. predecessor Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32));
2. the enterprises, their founders, or their organisations 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;
3. 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 submission¹; and
4. the operational bases in Hong Kong must employ at least three full-time staff members to implement the PITAS, and provide value-added services, such as venue and facilities, R&D support, mentorship, domain expert consultation and business networking, etc., to start-ups.

Key Features

• Maximum funding amount: Each applicant will only be allocated funding for one project. The total amount of approved funding is up to $30 million.
• Matching basis: The Government will provide up to a ceiling subsidy on a one‑to‑two matching basis between the Government and the applicant.
• Funding scope: Covers necessary expenditure for establishing and operating I&T accelerators.
• Project duration: A maximum of three years.

Assessment criteria

Applications are assessed based on their individual merits. The major assessment criteria cover the following five areas:

1. Experience of the start-up service provider (35%);
2. Operational model (25%);
3. Capital and resources (20%);
4. Quality of the management and project teams (10%); and
5. Benefits to the I&T start-ups ecosystem in Hong Kong (10%).

Application

Applications will be accepted from 29 January 2026 to 30 April 2026.

Please read the following documents before submitting an application:

• Application Guidelines (issued in January 2026)
• Application Form (issued in January 2026)
• Application Form (issued in January 2026)

Assessment

Upon receipt of applications, the Secretariat will check their eligibility and conduct preliminary assessments and select eligible applications for review by the Assessment Committee. Applications supported by the Assessment Committee will be submitted to the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology for approval of funding.