The recent HK Tech 300 Southeast Asia Start-up Competition, hosted by the City University of Hong Kong, has successfully recognised and awarded 10 start-ups from five countries across the Southeast Asia region and Hong Kong. These victorious start-ups emerged from a pool of over 100 teams, with each receiving an investment of up to HK$1 million from the University’s flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme, HK Tech 300.
The competition, which commenced in Kuala Lumpur in May 2023, was designed to provide support for Southeast Asian start-ups seeking to expand their business to Hong Kong and mainland China. It also served as a platform for Hong Kong start-ups to explore opportunities in the Southeast Asia region, while also attracting tech talent from overseas to the city.
The Award Ceremony was attended by distinguished figures including Professor Sun Dong, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government; Mr Lester Garson Huang, CityUHK Council Chairman; and Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President. The presence of Mr. Chen Yulin, Director of the Department of Educational, Scientific, and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, and Mr. Victor Hui, Acting Consul General of Singapore in the HKSAR, added to the significance of the event.
Professor Sun Dong underscored the thriving innovation and technology ecosystem in Hong Kong, underpinned by collaborative efforts between the government, industry, academic, and research sectors. Mr. Lester Garson Huang extended his congratulations to the winning start-ups, emphasising the vision of cultivating talent and driving technological advancement beyond boundaries. President Boey expressed his delight in witnessing the winning start-ups harnessing CityUHK’s technology to advance their products and services, underscoring the university’s commitment to fostering inspirational and innovative education.
The 10 winning start-ups specialise in various advanced technology fields, including fintech, deep tech, biotech & health, and ICT & AI. Their solutions span across digital healthcare, energy sustainability, green materials, digital assets, and real estate. In addition to the angel funding, they will receive extensive support, including professional services, business matching opportunities, and access to CityUHK’s research achievements and intellectual property.
In collaboration with universities and incubators in the region, the HK Tech 300 SEA Competition aimed to facilitate start-ups’ entry into the Hong Kong and mainland China markets. The competition also focused on promoting technology transfer and commercialisation, fostering closer ties between the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
The HK Tech 300 programme offers comprehensive support for entrepreneurship training, seed funding, an angel fund, co-working space, and networking opportunities in the industrial and commercial communities. Since its launch in March 2021, the programme has seen significant participation, with over 1,700 individuals enrolling in entrepreneurship training and more than 700 teams being nurtured. With over 140 start-ups receiving angel fund investments and the recruitment of over 180 experienced industrialists and successful entrepreneurs as mentors, the programme has made a substantial impact.
For further information regarding the winning start-ups and the HK Tech 300 programme, please visit the official website of the City University of Hong Kong. This competition has played a pivotal role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, transcending boundaries, and contributing to the growth of the vibrant start-up ecosystem in the region.