Hong Kong Unveils FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 Lineup

Big News for Global Fintech and Tech Leaders

Hong Kong is getting ready for one of the largest technology and financial gatherings in the region.

On October 23, government officials unveiled full details for Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 during an official press conference.

The week-long event takes place from November 2 to November 6, 2026. Organizers expect more than 45,000 participants from over 120 economies.

Three government bodies are organizing the event. These are the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, and Invest Hong Kong.

Aligning with National Development Plans

This upcoming event carries strong strategic importance for the region.

The 2026 gathering marks the launch of China's National 15th Five-Year Plan. It also aligns with Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan spanning 2026 through 2030.

Organizers noted that the conference will spotlight three primary goals. These include financial empowerment, technological innovation, and cross-border expansion.

Global Participation from Over 120 Economies

The conference will bring together global investors, regulatory leaders, and startup founders.

More than 30 official delegations are attending from mainland China alone. Key cities represented include Beijing and Shenzhen.

International delegations are also coming from North America, Europe, the Gulf Cooperation Council region, and Central Asia.

This broad turnout reflects Hong Kong's role as a primary gateway connecting global markets.

The Three Growth Engines: Finance+, AI+, and Expansion

Alpha Lau, Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, outlined the strategy behind the event.

She explained that three key engines drive the city's strategy: Finance+, AI+, and global expansion.

According to Lau, these priorities drive innovation, transform traditional industries, and support multi-market growth.

Unpacking the Finance+ Concept

The Finance+ vision pairs traditional financial capital with high-tech solutions to help innovative projects scale.

Hong Kong recently ranked first for fintech in the latest Global Financial Centres Index, according to organizers.

Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, announced the theme for 2026.

"Fintech Nexus: Bridging the World, Building the Future."

Hui noted that local fintech capabilities will also help drive development in traditional gold and commodity markets.

Advancing the AI+ Agenda and Startup Growth

Artificial intelligence forms a core pillar of the upcoming gathering.

Hong Kong is pushing an AI+ initiative focused on integrating AI technology across multiple business sectors.

The region's startup scene continues to expand rapidly. Hong Kong is now home to more than 5,200 startups.

To support these companies, the Global Fast Track program acts as a launchpad for scale-ups.

The program has already received over 700 applications from Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania.

Main Conference Agenda and 10 Specialized Forums

The main conference runs on November 2 and November 3 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Attendees can participate in 10 specialized forums covering specific tech topics.

• AI & DeepTech Forum: Examining breakthrough machine learning developments.
• Digital Assets and Web3 Forum: Exploring blockchain technology, Web3 innovation, and digital finance.
• AI in Finance Forum: Discussing practical AI applications within financial services.

Prominent Keynote Speaker Lineup Announced

The event features leading regulatory figures, government officials, and enterprise executives.

Confirmed speakers include:

• John Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong
• Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
• Julia Leung, CEO of the Securities and Futures Commission
• Ashley Alder, Chair of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority
• Bilal Bin Saqib, Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
• Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton

Networking and Greater Bay Area Exploration

Beyond mainstage presentations, attendees can access extensive business matching and community events.

Activities span across Hong Kong and the wider Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Executives can also join a dedicated two-day tour to Shenzhen to connect directly with mainland tech hubs.

A Brief History of the Event

Hong Kong FinTech Week first launched in 2016.

Over the past decade, it has grown into a cornerstone conference for the international financial sector.

By combining forces with StartmeupHK, the 2026 event aims to offer comprehensive access to finance, AI, and digital assets.