Sands China has selected 24 businesses for its latest program to revive Rua das Estalagens, a historic commercial street in Macau, with support for both new ventures and existing shops.
The Macau casino operator said Wednesday that it received 69 applications. Eleven of the selected projects involve new businesses, while 13 are plans by existing merchants to rebrand or upgrade their shops.
Applications were assessed in three rounds by a panel with representatives from government, banking, business and community groups, according to the company.
New ventures must invest at least MOP300,000 ($37,000) of their own capital. Sands China will provide grants equivalent to one to two times that investment, capped at MOP1 million ($124,000) for each selected venture.
Existing businesses must contribute at least MOP50,000 ($6,200). Their grants range from one to three times the amount invested, subject to a MOP500,000 ($62,000) cap. Sands China said it will pay 60 percent of approved funding before new ventures open or shop upgrades begin.
The selected proposals span food and beverage, retail, creative businesses, fashion, travel photography and pet grooming. For existing merchants, the program can support changes to storefronts, new products and services, and improvements to operating systems.
Sands China Executive Vice Chairman Wilfred Wong said the new scheme aimed to bring new ventures into the district while “supporting long-established local businesses in upgrading their operations and transforming their business models.”
Sands China launched the first round of its entrepreneurship program in 2024, selecting seven businesses to open on the street. The 2026 round, announced in April, expands the scheme to merchants already operating there.
The program is part of Sands China’s non-gaming commitments under its 10-year Macau casino concession. The government has enlisted operators to revitalize historic districts, support local small businesses and draw visitors to older neighborhoods. Sands China is responsible for Rua das Estalagens, and the Macau Chamber of Commerce co-organizes the program.
The company said it has held 15 free public events across the two rounds, bringing together officials, industry specialists and academics to advise prospective applicants on starting and running a business. Those events drew a combined 1,300 participants.
