The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) hosted a press conference on October 23 and unveiled details of Hong Kong Fintech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 (HKFW x SMUHK), which will take place from November 2 to 6.

The event is expected to welcome more than 45 000 participants from over 120 economies, alongside more than 1 000 speakers, 800 exhibitors and start-ups, as well as over 30 Chinese Mainland and international delegations.

Marking the launch of both the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan), HKFW x SMUHK 2026 will highlight financial empowerment, tech innovation, and global expansion as key engines of sustainable business growth.

HKFW x SMUHK is organised by the FSTB, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and InvestHK, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and the Insurance Authority (IA).

A global innovation platform powered by Finance+

As the Asia-Pacific region’s leading financial centre and the world’s top-ranked fintech hub in the latest Global Financial Centres Index, Hong Kong provides a strong foundation for advancing the “Finance+” vision.

Backed by deep capital markets and global connectivity, the city is powered by a dual financial and technological engine: a robust financial ecosystem provides the capital needed to scale innovation, while technological advancement continues to transform financial services and unlock new sources of growth.

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui, said,

“In tandem with Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address, which set out the blueprint for our city’s future development, this year’s Hong Kong FinTech Week carries the forward-looking theme ‘Fintech Nexus: Bridging the World, Building the Future’. Our position at the forefront of global fintech is not merely rhetorical, but a proven reality on the world stage. As one of the top international financial centres globally and a leading force in Asia, Hong Kong continues to make confident strides in expanding its fintech capability.”

He added that the event will showcase how Hong Kong’s fintech capability is boosting the city’s development in gold and commodity markets, thus linking the international markets with Asia’s liquidity.

AI+ and a thriving start-up ecosystem empowering innovation

As Hong Kong advances its “AI+” agenda for cross‑industry AI deep integration, it stands as a global launch pad for innovators to commercialise and scale technology.

Supported by a thriving ecosystem of over 5 200 startups and ongoing development of the Northern Metropolis, Hong Kong opens new global growth pathways, while the world‑topping Shenzhen‑Hong Kong‑Guangzhou innovation cluster demonstrates how aligned research, talent, capital and industry drive innovation and business expansion.

Complementing HKFW x SMUHK 2026, the Global Fast Track programme will once again serve as a launch pad for high-growth start-ups and scale-ups seeking to accelerate commercialisation and international expansion.

This year’s programme has already attracted more than 700 applications from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, wider Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania.

Going global driven by financial empowerment and tech innovation

As businesses increasingly look beyond their home markets for growth, Hong Kong serves as a trusted launch pad for international expansion. Retaining first place in the Asian Cities Internationality Index 2026, the city combines global connectivity, international business networks and market access, enabling companies to forge global partnerships and expand internationally.

The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Alpha Lau, said,

“As HKFW x SMUHK enters its second decade, Hong Kong begins a new chapter with its First Five-Year Plan, unveiled alongside the 2026 Policy Address. This year’s three engines – “Finance+”, “AI+” and global expansion – reflect the city’s strategic priorities: driving innovation and economic development, transforming industries, and enabling multi-market growth. Hong Kong connects these forces, and this year’s event will bring together global innovators, investors and enterprises to scale internationally and seize new opportunities through our city.”

As Hong Kong cements its status as Asia’s premier hub for two-way investment, this year’s event will welcome over 30 delegations from the Chinese Mainland, including those from Beijing, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, alongside delegations from North America, Europe, the Gulf Cooperation Council regions, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Central Asia, and other emerging markets.

Their vote of confidence reinforces Hong Kong’s standing as Asia’s premier platform for companies seeking global expansion.

Global visionaries set to take the stage

The HKFW x SMUHK 2026 main conference will specifically take place on November 2 and 3 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

It will feature 10 dedicated forums, including the Policy and Visionary Forum, AI & Deeptech Forum, Digital Assets and Web3 Forum, AI in Finance Forum, China-Global Innovation Forum, Insurtech and Healthtech Forum, Greentech Forum, Founder and Startup Venture Forum, Tech Builder Forum, and Creator Forum. Esteemed speakers at the main conference include:

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and regulators:

• The Chief Executive, John Lee;
• The Financial Secretary, Paul Chan;
• The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui;
• The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Algernon Yau;
• The Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Joseph Chan;
• The Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Lillian Cheong;
• The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Diane Wong;
• The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Eddie Yue;
• The Chief Executive Officer of the SFC, Julia Leung;
• The Chief Executive Officer of the IA, Clement Cheung; and
• The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Alpha Lau.

Global policy leaders:

• The Former General Manager of Bank for International Settlements, Agustín Carstens;
• The Chair of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, Ashley Alder;
• The Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic; Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations; First Deputy Chairman of the Management Council of the Tamchy Special Financial and Investment Territory, Ayaz Baetov;
• The Minister of State and Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, Bilal Bin Saqib;
• The First Deputy Governor of the Banque de France, Denis Beau; and
• The Ambassador of Monaco to China, Marie-Pascale Boisson.

Industry leaders:

• The Chief Executive Officer of AIA Hong Kong and Macau, Alger Fung;
• The Founding and Managing Partner of BAI Capital, Annabelle Long;
• The Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered, Bill Winters;
• The Chair Professor of Artificial Intelligence Systems of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Cao Liangliang;
• The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Onafriq, Daré Okoudjou;
• The Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Primavera Capital Group, Dr Fred Hu;
• The Group Chief Executive of HSBC, Georges Elhedery;
• The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pony.ai, James Peng;
• The Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Templeton, Jenny Johnson;
• The Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Hong Kong, Lawrence Lam;
• The Professor of Southern University of Science and Technology, Professor Ma Zhaoyuan;
• The Chief Operating Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Vanessa Lau; and
• The Vice Chairman and President of the Bank of China, Zhang Hui.

Extending beyond the conference, participants will also have opportunities to take part in networking, business matching and community events across Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

A key highlight of this year’s programme is the two-day GBA Immersive Executive Tour to Shenzhen, offering first-hand access to one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems.

Visit the official event website for more information about Hong Kong Fintech Week x StartmeupHK 2026.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Hong Kong, based on image by InvestHK