Hong Kong's Cyberport startups secure over HK$74.5 billion in funding

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Hong Kong's Cyberport startups have secured more than HK$74.5 billion in cumulative funding. The figure was highlighted at the Cyberport Venture & Capital Forum (CVCF 2026), which opened on November 4, 2026, according to official information from Cyberport. Over the past year, the technology ecosystem has welcomed 19 publicly listed companies and two unicorns, DKNews.kz reports.

The two-day forum, held under the theme "Scaling in a Changing World: Winning the Next Competitive Cycle," focuses on artificial intelligence, venture capital, digital assets and new opportunities for technology companies to expand internationally.

The event brings together more than 80 representatives of global venture capital firms, technology entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Organizers are positioning Hong Kong as a strategic hub connecting mainland China, ASEAN, the Middle East, Central Asia and international investment networks.

Cyberport's ecosystem exceeds 2,400 companies

Cyberport now supports more than 2,400 companies and startups. Together, businesses within its ecosystem have raised over HK$74.5 billion in cumulative funding, reflecting the scale of capital attracted throughout the community's development.

Over the past year, 19 publicly listed companies and two unicorns have joined the ecosystem. A unicorn is a privately held startup valued at $1 billion or more.

Among companies that have recently attracted significant investment, Cyberport highlighted Finloop, Qupital and Premialab, whose activities span financial technology, artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital assets.

Cyberport views investor interest in these sectors as evidence of continued demand for technologies with commercial applications in financial services and other industries.

Overall, the ecosystem includes 30 publicly listed companies and 10 unicorns, illustrating its growing role in Hong Kong's technology economy.

Cyberport Investors Network facilitates over HK$6 billion

One of the forum's major milestones was the ninth anniversary of the Cyberport Investors Network (CIN), which connects promising technology startups with international investors.

Over nine years, the network has facilitated more than HK$6 billion in cumulative financing.

The anniversary ceremony also marked a leadership transition. John Ng succeeded Hendrick Sin as chairman of CIN, while Hendrick Sin, Duncan Chiu and Cindy Chow were appointed honorary chairpersons in recognition of their contributions to the investment ecosystem.

Another important financing mechanism is the Cyberport Macro Fund (CMF).

As of September 2026, the fund had invested in 30 startup projects, generating more than HK$2.7 billion in total investment when co-investments are included.

For every Hong Kong dollar invested by the fund, more than HK$9.3 in additional co-investment was attracted.

Cyberport has also expanded its institutional investment partnerships. In May 2026, it established strategic cooperation with BOCHK Asset Management and BOC Group Investment, followed by an agreement with Taiping Financial Holdings in August.

These partnerships are intended to improve access to venture capital and support the development of promising Hong Kong technology businesses.

Hong Kong expands investment links across Asia and the Middle East

International cooperation was another major focus of CVCF 2026.

Cyberport signed two memoranda of understanding, one with global investment firm Gobi Partners and another with Thailand's National Innovation Agency (NIA).

The agreement with Gobi Partners aims to deepen cooperation in supporting innovative enterprises, facilitating international expansion and developing investment opportunities across Hong Kong, other Asian markets and the Middle East.

The partnership builds on existing investment relationships. Gobi Partners has invested in more than 24 Cyberport companies, including through co-investment arrangements involving the Cyberport Macro Fund.

The signing ceremony was attended by Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Lillian Cheong, Cyberport Chairman Simon Chan and Gobi Partners Managing Partner Chibo Tang.

The memorandum was signed by Cyberport CEO Dr. Rocky Cheng and Fred Li, Managing Director of Gobi Partners' Greater Bay Area team.

Thailand and Hong Kong strengthen AI cooperation

The second memorandum, signed with Thailand's National Innovation Agency, focuses on cross-border innovation, startup development and knowledge exchange in artificial intelligence, smart cities and other digital technologies.

The partnership includes support for international market entry, business networking, joint events, innovation programs and the development and testing of pilot technology solutions.

The agreement was signed by Cyberport CEO Dr. Rocky Cheng and NIA Executive Director Dr. Kritphaka Boonfueng.

Through these agreements, Cyberport is expanding not only access to financing but also the international networks that technology companies need to scale their operations.

Artificial intelligence reshapes the venture capital market

The CVCF 2026 program is organized around three main themes: global technology trends and new AI frontiers, regional markets and international growth corridors, and strategies for accessing capital.

One of the central discussions concerns how artificial intelligence is changing the economics of building and financing technology companies.

Participants are examining agentic AI, lean technology businesses, digital assets, tokenization and emerging models of startup financing.

The first day's keynote speaker was Mahesh Krishnaswamy, founder and CEO of Taara, who discussed accelerating innovation cycles and turning emerging technologies into commercially viable products.

He highlighted Taara's development of high-speed optical communication technology, tracing its progress from an experimental concept to a solution designed for practical deployment.

Representatives of Gobi Partners, Alumni Ventures, Rasmal Ventures, Primavera Capital, Draper Dragon, Pegasus Tech Ventures and Plug and Play are also participating in discussions.

Their conversations cover changing patterns of venture capital allocation, opportunities in the Middle East and ASEAN, and strategies for helping technology companies grow internationally.

From investor meetings to global expansion

Beyond keynote presentations and panel discussions, the first day's program includes individual meetings between startups and potential investors, technology demonstrations and practical consultations for founders.

Special attention is being given to Founder Pitch sessions, where early-stage and fast-growing companies present their products and business models to venture capital firms and ecosystem partners.

The format is designed to connect discussions about global technology trends with practical opportunities to secure financing, establish partnerships and enter new markets.

For founders, access to international investors and experienced industry partners can be as important as the availability of capital itself.

Agentic AI and digital assets take center stage on November 5

The forum's second day will feature the Agentic Economy Summit under the theme "Intelligent Frontiers, Tokenised Horizons."

The program includes an address by Joseph Chan, Hong Kong's Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury.

Participants are scheduled to explore the growing role of autonomous AI systems in business, digital identity, institutional tokenization, Hong Kong dollar-linked stablecoins, programmable payments and machine-to-machine commerce.

Another topic will be the emergence of businesses operated by a single founder using AI-powered tools to perform tasks traditionally handled by larger teams.

Practical workshops will also help startup founders improve investor presentations and develop strategies for scaling their businesses.

Why Cyberport's growth matters for Kazakhstan

For Kazakhstan, CVCF 2026 is particularly relevant to international technology cooperation, venture capital access and the development of cross-border startup partnerships.

Cyberport identifies Central Asia among the regions where Hong Kong can strengthen innovation and investment connections. This direction is relevant as Kazakhstan continues developing its startup ecosystem and expanding the international reach of Astana Hub.

In June 2026, a Cyberport delegation led by Simon Chan visited Astana Hub and explored Kazakhstan's artificial intelligence and supercomputing infrastructure.

Such exchanges could create opportunities for Kazakh technology companies to connect with Asian investors, establish business partnerships and explore new markets.

However, the information presented at CVCF 2026 does not announce any new investment agreements specifically involving Kazakhstan.

Cyberport's growth demonstrates the potential of combining venture financing, technology infrastructure and international partnerships within a single innovation ecosystem.

Today, more than 2,400 companies operate within its community, including 30 publicly listed businesses and 10 unicorns. Founders from 28 countries and regions account for 40% of the ecosystem's entrepreneurs, while participating companies have expanded into more than 36 overseas markets.

Earlier, we reported on how Hong Kong is turning artificial intelligence into a major industry and Cyberport's role in developing computing infrastructure, international partnerships and technology investment. These initiatives form part of a broader strategy to strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international innovation hub.

DKNews International News Agency is registered with the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Registration certificate No. 10484-AA issued on January 20, 2010.

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