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May Dedicatoria - Philstar.com
December 16, 2025 | 4:00pm
MANILA, Philippines — Fintechs and tech startups naturally aim to scale, raise capital and expand globally, and Hong Kong has become a premier launchpad among Asian companies.
Aside from the city’s strategic location and robust financial ecosystem, its business-friendly policies make it a natural gateway to the Greater Bay Area, Chinese Mainland and global markets. It’s also the #1 IPO venue for Southeast Asian issuers.
Hong Kong’s world-class fintech and vibrant startup ecosystems—backed by initiatives from key government bodies and regulatory authorities, including Invest Hong Kong—offers fintech companies and startups tools and guidance to navigate cross-border expansion.
This is coupled with business-friendly tax rates (8.25% for profits from qualifying activities, 16.5% standard), so that tech ventures can thrive.
HK FinTech Week as a platform for scaling
The recent Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025 showed Hong Kong’s role as a global fintech and innovation hubs.
Panels spanned from AI and blockchain, to healthtech, digital assets and China-Global innovation—connecting startups to investors, policymakers and corporate partners. Over 45,000 participants from more than 120 economies attended, alongside 1,000 speakers and 800 exhibitors.
By participating in such platforms, Philippine startups can gain invaluable exposure to investors, regulators and international partners.
Additionally, the decision by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to establish an office in Hong Kong, as announced by President Jin Liqun during FinTech Week, underscores Hong Kong's prominent role as an international financial centre. This move not only reflects authoritative recognition of Hong Kong's financial leadership but also highlights its core functions in supporting regional investment, infrastructure financing, project management, and sustainable development. For Philippine fintech and tech companies, it signals long-term institutional support for innovation and cross-border growth from a Hong Kong base.
InvestHK as a partner in global expansion
From providing market-entry guidance and investor introductions to navigating regulatory frameworks, InvestHK is an official gateway for fintech companies and startups seeking to expand in Hong Kong.
It can connect Philippine fintechs and tech ventures with banks, accelerators and corporates, helping them scale efficiently, raise capital and pursue IPO opportunities.
Hong Kong offers the infrastructure, network and credibility that make international expansion not just possible, but highly effective—which makes it draw in foreign companies like HeyMax and XTransfer.
Launch in Hong Kong to build a regional rewards network
HeyMax, a Singapore-based travel and loyalty platform, chose Hong Kong as its first international expansion market.
The company recently announced a strategic partnership with Cathay Pacific, which enables users in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia to convert Max Miles into Asia Miles redeemable across flights, hotels and lifestyle rewards.
“As one of the world’s leading travel hubs, Hong Kong plays a pivotal role in connecting global travelers,” said Joe Lu, CEO and co-founder of HeyMax.
The company proves why Hong Kong is ideal for startups searching for regional reach and investor visibility, taking advantage of the city’s fintech and lifestyle ecosystem to grow quickly.
Build cross-border financial infrastructure
In another example of Hong Kong’s fintech appeal, XTransfer partnered with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co. Ltd., Hong Kong Branch to strengthen cross-border payment and collection solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“By combining SPD Bank's expertise and resource advantages in cross-border finance with XTransfer's global network and technological capabilities, we can further strengthen end-to-end transaction processing and compliance governance, providing SMEs with integrated cross-border financial infrastructure to support compliant operations and global expansion,” shared Bill Deng, founder and CEO of XTransfer.
This partnership highlights the potential for Philippine companies to utilize Hong Kong's vibrant fintech and financial ecosystem as a gateway to the Mainland market. By establishing a presence in Hong Kong, Philippine companies can support Chinese enterprises to enhance their cross-border financial services, boost their cross-border competitiveness, and help them to expand globally.
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Philippine fintechs and startups are not far from experiencing and maximizing these opportunities.
Access to capital is only part of the equation. Hong Kong can help companies create strategic partnerships, enhance cross-border capabilities and access the Greater Bay Area market.
Discover how InvestHK can support your expansion—visit investhk.gov.hk/en or email [email protected].
Editor's Note: This #Brandspace story is created with InvestHK. It is produced by the Advertising Content Team that is independent of our Editorial newsroom.
