Global Fast Track 2026

Launch and Scale Your Tech Future in Hong Kong - Asia’s Innovation Hub
Apply below to connect with 120+ Corporates, Investors, Service Providers and Community Builders

Scale Your Startup with GFT 2026

Join the year-long, hybrid Global Fast Track (GFT) programme to expand your business into Hong Kong and Asia, with:

  • Access to one-on-one meetings with 120+ investors and corporates.
  • Opportunities to pitch live on stage and connect with 45,000+ global leaders at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026.
  • Access to the new features of GFT 2026, as listed below.

Be among the 1,000+ companies from over 70 economies that have successfully scaled with us!

Organisers
Partnering Regulators
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New Features for GFT 2026

Online Market Readiness Programme
Pitching Competition: Virtual Pitch
Qualifier Rounds
Pitching Competition: Quick-Fire Pitches for Startup Exhibitors
at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
Startup Live Demos
at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026

Unlock Your Startup's Growth
with Our Scaling Resources

Connect with the regional
startup ecosystem
Join our community alongside previous GFT alumni
AI-Powered Matchmaking with Corporates & Investor Champions
Complimentary Pass for Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
Opportunity to run Live Demo onsite at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
Invitation to virtual pitching qualifier rounds
Invitation to online Market Readiness sessions
Invitation to targeted networking events
Complimentary Physical Booth at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
Flight Reimbursement to Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 (Please see FAQs for further details)
Live pitch opportunity
Feature in Branding, Press Releases, and Promotion
Complimentary exhibition booth at Hong Kong FinTech Week 2027
All
Applicants
Shortlisted Applicants
Semi-

Finalists
Winner
Phase 1:
Open to All Participants
  • Connect with the regionalstartup ecosystem
  • Join our community alongside previous GFT alumni
  • AI-Powered Matchmaking with Corporates & Investor Champions
  • Complimentary Pass for Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
Phase 2:
Shortlisted Applicants
  • Connect with the regionalstartup ecosystem
  • Join our community alongside previous GFT alumni
  • AI-Powered Matchmaking with Corporates & Investor Champions
  • Complimentary Pass for Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
  • Opportunity to run Live Demo onsite at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
  • Invitation to virtual pitching qualifier rounds
  • Invitation to online Market Readiness sessions
  • Invitation to targeted networking events
Semi-Finalists
  • Connect with the regionalstartup ecosystem
  • Join our community alongside previous GFT alumni
  • AI-Powered Matchmaking with Corporates & Investor Champions
  • Complimentary Pass for Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
  • Opportunity to run Live Demo onsite at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
  • Invitation to virtual pitching qualifier rounds
  • Invitation to online Market Readiness sessions
  • Invitation to targeted networking events
  • Complimentary Physical Booth at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
  • Flight Reimbursement to Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 (Please see FAQs for further details)
  • Live pitch opportunity
  • Feature in Branding, Press Releases, and Promotion
Winner
  • Connect with the regionalstartup ecosystem
  • Join our community alongside previous GFT alumni
  • AI-Powered Matchmaking with Corporates & Investor Champions
  • Complimentary Pass for Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
  • Opportunity to run Live Demo onsite at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
  • Invitation to virtual pitching qualifier rounds
  • Invitation to online Market Readiness sessions
  • Invitation to targeted networking events
  • Complimentary Physical Booth at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026
  • Flight Reimbursement to Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 (Please see FAQs for further details)
  • Live pitch opportunity
  • Feature in Branding, Press Releases, and Promotion
  • Complimentary exhibition booth at Hong Kong FinTech Week 2027

Explore the biggest lineup of GFT verticals ever!

FinTech & InsurTech
  • Payments and Digital Finance
  • InsurTech
  • Embedded Finance
  • RegTech and SupTech
  • WealthTech and Capital Markets
  • Cyber Security & Fraud Detection
Applied AI
for Financial Services
  • AI-Driven Industry Change
  • AI for Risk, Credit & Underwriting
  • AI for Fraud, Financial Crime & AML
  • AI for Wealth, Advisory & Personal Finance
  • AI for Capital Markets & TradingAI for Insurance & Risk Transfer (InsurAI)
Green FinTech, Sustainability & GreenTech
  • Sustainability and Carbon Investing
  • Carbon Capture and Offsetting
  • ClimateTech and Conservation
  • CleanTech
  • Food & Nutrition
Blockchain & Digital Assets
  • Real-World Asset Tokenization
  • Institutional and Enterprise Blockchain
  • Decentralised Finance and DAOs
  • Web3 and Gaming
  • Central Bank Digital Currencies and Stablecoins
  • Art and Technology
HealthTech &
Life Sciences
  • Healthcare and Wellness
  • FemTech & Elderly Health
  • Digital Health
  • Lifestyle and Longevity
  • Diagnostics and Data
AI & Robotics
  • Generative AI and LLMs
  • Agentic AI and Intelligent Systems
  • Machine Learning and Analytic AI
  • Responsible AI Governance
  • Robotics
  • Manufacturing
PropTech & Transport
  • Construction Innovation
  • Sustainable Buildings
  • Liveable Cities
  • Mobility
  • Advanced Materials
  • Autonomous Vehicles
Consumer, Hospitality Tech & Creative Industries
  • Consumer, HospitalityTech & Digital Experiences
  • AR and VR Experiences
  • Enriching Consumer Experiences
  • Customer Loyalty
  • Consumer Tech and Apps
  • Marketing and Advertising Tech
  • App Development

All verticals this year will be bilingual - pitch in English or Putonghua.

New for 2026 - Startup Exhibitors at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 will have the opportunity to compete in the GFT Pitching Competition in a mixed vertical onsite, with the winner advancing to the Grand Finale.

Guarantee your pitching spot by purchasing a Startup Exhibition Booth today! For more information on Startup Exhibition Booths contact megan@finoverse.com today!

Who is Eligible?

GFT is seeking startups and scaleups with operational products in technologies, digital assets, AI, and other featured verticals (see full list above) and plans for expansion into Asia within 24 months.
For more information check out our FAQs:

2026 Pitching Competition Semi-Finalists

Blockchain & Digital Assets

HealthTech & Life Sciences

Green FinTech, Sustainability & GreenTech

Applied AI for Financial Services

Consumer, HospitalityTech & Creative Industries

Fintech & Insurtech

AI & Robotics

PropTech & Transport

2026 Programme Timeline

April to September
  • Applications are Open
  • Market Readiness Programme
  • Virtual Qualifier Pitch Rounds
25 September
Deadline for Pitching Competition Applications
Early October
Announcement of Semi-Finalists
2-3 November
  • Semi-Finals
  • Grand Finale
  • Live Demos
  • AI-powered Matchmaking
at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 Main Conference

Meet Our 2026 Champions

Our champion community is growing with more joining every week, keep an eye on new logos appearing here between now and November!

Corporate Champions

Over 80% of our Champions are the drivers of major tech innovations in Hong Kong. They cover a wide range of sectors that go from banking to logistics. These Corporate Champions seek direct and valuable solutions, co-creation opportunities, and may also have investment interests.

Investor Champions

Investor Champions are mainly angels, VCs, PE funds, accelerators and family offices. They share interest in startups at different stages of growth, from early-stage companies to Series D and onwards. Note that investment is not guaranteed as part of this Programme.

Service & Community Champions

Our Service & Community Champions span a broad range of sectors such as cloud computing, legal services, and marketing, and offer access to supportive networks. They are experts of the region’s landscape and can provide advice along with on-the-ground partnerships for growth in Hong Kong and Asia.

HeyMax

GFT 2026 Featured Partners

FinTech Innovation Lab Asia-Pacific

Co-founded by Accenture and Hong Kong Cyberport, FILAP connects growth-stage fintech startups with senior executives from world-leading financial institutions.

Since its inception, FILAP alumni have raised over US$1.1 billion in funding and developed 552 Proof of Concepts across nearly 90 companies.

Join GFT for a chance to fast-track to the FILAP Interview Day, unlocking expert mentorship and exclusive access to global financial leaders.

HKSTP Global Connect

HKSTP Global Connect acts as a strategic gateway for international tech companies to scale across Asia. Managed by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, it bridges the gap between global innovators and regional industry leaders.

This one-year Soft Landing Programme is made for international companies aiming to grow in this fast-moving business environment.

Key benefits include:

  • Up to HK $100,000 financial grant
  • Online matching opportunities
  • 1-on-1 consultation for business set up in HK
  • Networking opportunities
  • Access to co-working space
  • Online Training Programmes

Testimonials:

Champion
“Thank you again for inviting me to participate as a speaker and judge for the GFT. This year's event was a truly magical experience.”
OJ Ventures
Investor Champion
Startup
“We thoroughly enjoyed participating in the event, and especially valued the opportunity to connect with investors, corporates and fellow innovators.”
Agrud Technologies
2025 GFT Semi-Finalist
Startup
“Thank you for orchestrating such a well-run programme. The experience was exceptional, from the energy in the room to the quality of founders, corporates, and ecosystem players involved.”
Looyal
2025 GFT Semi-Finalist
Contact Us
Have any questions regarding the programme?
Check our FAQs, or submit your inquiry using the form below, and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.