The Hong Kong Techathon+ 2024 organized by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and ten partnering universities, including The City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Lingnan University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Education University of Hong Kong, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and The University of Hong Kong, has concluded.
The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was founded with the aim of positioning Hong Kong as a global innovation and technology hub. It has fostered an ecosystem supporting more than 10 unicorns and hosting over 13,000 research professionals alongside 1,700 technology companies from 24 different countries and regions. Concentrating on areas such as Healthtech, AI, robotics, fintech, and smart city technologies, HKSTP provides comprehensive support to attract and develop talent, expedite innovation, and commercialize technology ventures.
The organization’s primary locations include the Hong Kong Science Park in Shatin, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong, and three modern InnoParks situated in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O, and Yuen Long. These InnoParks are pivotal in reimagining sectors such as advanced manufacturing, microelectronics, and biotechnology for a new era of industry. HKSTP is actively forging connections with Shenzhen to enhance cross-border collaboration, attract tech companies, and global talent.
The establishment of the Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen, in September 2023, spanning an area of 31,000 square meters across two buildings, offers dry and wet laboratories, co-working spaces, conference facilities, and more, the branch aims to draw enterprises specializing in Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech, and sustainability.
HKSTP’s annual event, Hong Kong Techathon, this year has set a benchmark in terms of its sheer scale and diverse participation. It saw an unprecedented involvement from the International Group, with approximately 1,500 individuals from both local and international spheres, spanning from the United States to Malaysia, Taiwan, Macau, Thailand, and Singapore. This marks a surge of nearly fifty percent compared to the previous year.
During the closing ceremony of Hong Kong Techathon, Albert Wong, the CEO of HKSTP, reiterated the organization’s commitment to fostering innovation and technology in Hong Kong. He emphasized the significance of events like this in nurturing young talent and fostering cross-disciplinary exchange to bolster the city’s I&T ecosystem. Mr Wong extended his best wishes to all winning teams, urging them to pursue their visions and contribute to a brighter future through their innovative endeavors.
The HK Techathon+ 2024 aimed to spotlight young entrepreneurs in Hong Kong, attracting 92 startup teams from local and international tertiary institutions. These teams competed across various tracks, focusing on themes such as “Trusted AI & Data Science,” “Sustainability & ESG,” “Digital Economy,” and “Smart Cities” at Hong Kong Techathon.
The International Group drew entries from overseas universities including Stanford University, the National University of Singapore, and Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University. Winning teams across different tracks were awarded initial funding and gained access to over HK$3 million in seed funding, along with numerous incubation support programs to fuel their startup ambitions.
In addition to the main competition, all gold-winning teams had the opportunity to showcase their projects through a two-minute elevator pitch, vying for the coveted “Best Presentation Award.” Among the standout presentations was “InsectX,” from the Local Student Group, which clinched the award for its innovative proposal in the realm of “Sustainability & ESG,” “Pivot BME” in Sustainability & ESG, “AISight” in Digital Economy, “SAFERIN” in Smart Cities won the gold award.
Hong Kong Techathon also highlighted winners across different categories, including “CUROBIT” in the Trusted AI & Data Science category, “ProRuka” in Sustainability & ESG, “Project e-MUSE” in Digital Economy, “HYELE” in Smart Cities from the Local Open Group, and “Charco Science and Research Co., Ltd.”, “Tera Thinker” from the International Group, among others.