The eighth Global Fast Track (GFT) 2025 has begun accepting applications from Monday. It will offer a wider range of competition categories this year, offering tech companies the chance to forge connections with global investors, industry leaders and potential clients.
The entrepreneurship competition — organized by InvestHK, a Hong Kong SAR government unit tasked with attracting investment — has broadened its scope beyond fintech to cover a diverse array of verticals, including artificial intelligence, greentech, blockchain and digital assets, insurtech and healthtech, innovation and technology, as well as a dedicated track for the Chinese mainland.
According to InvestHK, the year-long program will provide participants with one-on-one meetings, live pitching opportunities and mentorship through both online and offline channels. It will also build connections between participating startups and more than 120 investors, corporate titans and industry leaders.
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Companies selected as semifinalists within their respective verticals will have the chance to show their innovations at the city’s flagship event Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025 in November. Shortlisted companies will gain access to networking events during the week for potential partnerships.
Describing it as a “launchpad for transformative solutions”, Jayne Chan Kwok-ching, head of startups at InvestHK, said this competition opens its doors to high-caliber startups and scale-up applicants from around the globe.
“The GFT (so far) has supported over 1,000 fintech companies from more than 50 economies, helping them showcase cutting-edge innovations and expedite market entry into Hong Kong and beyond,” said King Leung Hong-king, global head of financial services, fintech and sustainability at InvestHK.
Datatist, a smart operation solutions provider that leverages AI and big data, was one of last year’s two winners. In a written response to China Daily, a spokesperson for the Shanghai-based company said the goal of participating in the program is to connect with more clients, investment institutions, and government funding.
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The spokesperson revealed that the company is preparing to expand its business in Hong Kong and Singapore, and is hoping the program will help them build more relationships with local banking clients and government agencies.
The competition is also backed by the Global Connect program of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corp (HKSTP) and the FinTech Innovation Lab Asia-Pacific (FILAP) that was co-established by professional services provider Accenture and local incubator Hong Kong Cyberport.
Pheona Kan, director of new ventures at the HKSTP, said such programs are nurturing the next generation of tech professionals for Hong Kong, which is good for the sustainable growth of the city’s innovation and technology sector and for positioning it as a magnet for global startups.
She said there is an increasing number of organizations in Hong Kong, like HKSTP, that are focusing more on the global market and a data-driven future.
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The Global Connect program offers a range of support for businesses planning to set up in Hong Kong or expand their operations in the city, such as grants of up to HK$100,000 ($12,890), access to shared offices, and tailored consultations.
Meanwhile, FILAP serves as a bridge for growth-stage fintech startups, connecting them with senior executives from leading financial institutions worldwide. Through the GFT, applicants could be fast-tracked to the FILAP 2026 Interview Day and benefit from its expert guidance.
