StartmeupHK Festival 2024 Wraps Up with Over 3,400 Attendees and Global Startup Insights

2024-11-05 21:00 Last Updated At：21:18

StartmeupHK Festival 2024 wraps up: championing technology across industries and empowering global start-ups for future of infinite opportunities

The StartmeupHK Festival 2024 concluded on October 25, following an exciting week filled with engaging events, networking opportunities, and pitch competitions.

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StartmeupHK Festival 2024 wraps up: championing technology across industries and empowering global start-ups for future of infinite opportunities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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StartmeupHK Festival 2024 wraps up: championing technology across industries and empowering global start-ups for future of infinite opportunities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The flagship startup event set the stage for over 200 visionary speakers and attracted over 3 400 participants, including industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, tech enthusiasts, and government officials from 49 territories. The Festival also welcomed six delegations from Canada, Mainland China, India, the Philippines, Thailand and the United Kingdom, highlighting the diversity of Hong Kong's international start-up ecosystem.

For the first time, a series of 15 roadshow events have been held across eight economies, successfully expanding the Festival's international influence. These events attracted over 1 400 participants, connecting them with Invest Hong Kong. These impressive figures once again augment the city's great potential and aspirations in becoming a global start-up and innovation and technology (I&T) hub.

Under the theme "A Future Unlimited", the Festival featured a range of hot topics in the tech sector in particular, including artificial intelligence (AI), web3, GameFi, responsible tech, healthtech, sustainability, and more.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly committed to nurturing vibrant startup ecosystem in Hong Kong

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said at LOUDER Connect that by connecting the dots for responsible tech the Hong Kong Government is dedicated to fostering a robust start-up ecosystem that promotes innovation while ensuring responsible technology use. He highlighted that a significant milestone was the establishment of the Digital Policy Office (DPO) in July, pivotal in advancing data-driven, user-centric, and outcome-oriented digital policies across government and various sectors.

During the Asia Health Innovation Summit, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong,emphasised that Hong Kong is well positioned to become an international I&T centre as well as a health and medical innovation hub. It is home to five of the world's top 100 universities, two world top 40 medical schools, eight state key laboratories and 16 InnoHK research centres which are life and health-related, offering world-class research and development (R&D) capabilities.

The Director-General of Investment Promotion for Invest Hong Kong, Ms Alpha Lau, spoke at the JUMPSTARTER Ignition Gala, stating that cross-sector government support, combined with a comprehensive stakeholder ecosystem, has made Hong Kong an ideal destination for start-ups to thrive. "There is a record high of over 4 200 startups operating in Hong Kong, employing over 16 000 staff. Twenty-six per cent of these start-ups have founders from outside of Hong Kong, demonstrating the dynamism of our startup ecosystem," she said.

AI and sustainability: driving innovation across industries

The JUMPSTARTER Ignition Gala kicked off the Festival with a dynamic showcase of cutting-edge ideas and technologies. Industry leaders and experts gathered for thought-provoking discussions focusing on AI's future and its impact on diverse markets. Sessions explored the challenges of adapting AI technologies to meet the needs of the Asia-Pacific region, as well as global trends and ethical considerations.

In a keynote session, the Founder and CEO of Redcoat AI, Mr John Whaley, said that humanity is currently at a pivotal moment in history with the rise of generative AI and foundational models. While their full potential remains largely unexplored, their significance is widely acknowledged and has the potential to change humanity for the better.

At Game On! 2024, a standout moment was the inspiring story of Cheng Yip-kai, the 16-year-old Pokémon GO world champion. His journey to the top demonstrated the dedication and quick decision-making needed in this fast-paced game, like speed chess, with only a few players able to consistently excel at the global level. Cheng sees Olympic gold medalist Cheung Ka-Long as his role model, as he aspires to become a world champion for the second time, just like him.

At LOUDER Connect, industry leaders and experts debated the importance of responsible tech and its role in shaping a sustainable future. The event also introduced for the first time pitch debates on the iconic Star Ferry, which challenged student founders by placing them in the dynamic and competitive context of pitching against their peers.

The 1.5°C Summit - The defining decade for impact with tech brought a sharp focus to climate change and technological solutions. This unique event gathered industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore how technology can revolutionise industries and foster a more sustainable future. Through keynotes and panel discussions, participants shared insights on critical actions needed to reduce emissions over the next decade.

Innovative pitching formats and an array of community events

The StartmeupHK Festival 2024 also showcased innovative pitching formats that connected startups with investors, and a wide range of community events that fostered meaningful discussions among investors and startup founders. Highlights included exclusive breakfast sessions organised by Hupo for business leaders, and dynamic events hosted by Rock & Run, which combined a hike to Victoria Peak with a jog along the Hong Kong Harbourfront, allowing investors and founders to connect in a relaxed, scenic setting.

"We are thrilled to celebrate another successful year of the StartmeupHK Festival, which has facilitated deeper engagement between start-ups and investors. Bringing overseas attendees to our festival not only enhances the vibrancy of our start-up ecosystem but also fosters invaluable connections that drive innovation and collaboration. As we continue to engage with the world, we unlock new opportunities that are essential for our growth as a leading innovation hub," said the Head of Startups, Invest Hong Kong, Ms Jayne Chan.

Hong Kong Enterprises Shine at China International Import Expo 2023 in Shanghai

2024-11-05 21:05 Last Updated At：21:18

Hong Kong proactively participates in seventh China International Import Expo and organises Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference

The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) is being held from today (November 5) to November 10 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. Over 300 Hong Kong enterprises participate in this year's CIIE to promote quality Hong Kong products and services, representing almost one-tenth of the total number of exhibitors at the Enterprise and Business Exhibition. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government delegation to attend the opening ceremony and relevant events today.

Mr Lee, together with the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, attended the opening ceremony of the CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum this morning.

Later, Mr Lee accompanied Premier Li Qiang in touring the Hong Kong Exhibition Area at the China Pavilion. Under the theme of "Connectivity and Opening up", the Hong Kong Exhibition Area showcased Hong Kong's top position in international rankings and leading performance reflected in indicators of various areas; the active efforts in attracting enterprises, investment and talents, and promoting Hong Kong's position as the "eight centres" including an international trade and financial centre, an international innovation and technology centre, and an international maritime centre; as well as the latest developments in new quality productive forces, with a view to promoting Hong Kong's strengths.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee, accompanied by Mr Chan, Mr Yau, and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr Peter Lam, visited the Hong Kong Product Pavilion and the Hong Kong Service Pavilion set up by the HKTDC at the Enterprise and Business Exhibition to show his support to Hong Kong enterprises. A total of 52 Hong Kong enterprises showcase quality products and services covering food, innovation and technology, professional services, logistics, information technologies, trade and finance at the two pavilions, which occupy an area of 1 500 square metres. A number of exhibitors participate in the CIIE for the first time to show that Hong Kong enterprises are keeping up with the times and actively developing new quality productive forces, such as using artificial intelligence to provide advanced services, combining traditional food with health concepts and building a modern brand image, and demonstrating Hong Kong as an ideal springboard for overseas brands to explore the Mainland market. They tell the good stories of Hong Kong at the CIIE through Hong Kong products and services.

The exhibition area of Invest Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Service Pavilion highlights Hong Kong's advantages, while that of the Hong Kong Tourism Board promotes Hong Kong's latest tourism appeal.

Later, Mr Lee and Mr Chan attended the high-level 2024 Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference - Shanghai Forum (Shanghai Forum) jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and the HKTDC, and delivered speeches to promote Hong Kong's advantages and its role as a connecting platform under the national dual circulation strategy to Mainland enterprises.

Following the successful Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference held in Beijing in September this year, a number of heavy-weight speakers gathered at the Shanghai Forum under the theme of "Hong Kong, joining hands with Shanghai, the channel for more opportunities", to share insights on Hong Kong's advantages and opportunities in different areas, attracting more than 500 participants.

Speaking at the Shanghai Forum, Mr Lee said, "Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world under 'one country, two systems', playing its roles as a 'super-connector' and 'super value-adder' while driving functions in going global and attracting foreign investment. Currently, there are over 2 100 enterprises from the Mainland based in Hong Kong, and more than 1 400 Mainland companies listed in Hong Kong, of which nearly 200 are from Shanghai, with a market value exceeding HK$2 trillion. This fully demonstrates that Hong Kong can become a financing and investment platform to serve the development of Shanghai and Mainland enterprises."

Mr Lee added that the new Policy Address has set out a number of reform initiatives aimed at exploring new growth areas for Hong Kong, creating new impetus for economic development. Hong Kong benefits from converging both the China advantage and the global advantage under "one country, two systems" and will leverage its strengths to achieve complementarity with Shanghai, fostering mutual benefits and synergistic development.

In addressing the topic "Hong Kong's Advantages" in his speech, Mr Chan highlighted that for Mainland enterprises, Hong Kong holds the unique advantages of being international and practising the common law. These advantages can facilitate the expansion of such enterprises' international business. Using the fundraising market as an example, in addition to its highly internationalised securities and bond markets, Hong Kong boasts a thriving venture capital ecosystem, a full spectrum of funding sources, a good variety of financial products, and a foreign exchange market in which currencies are freely convertible. These make Hong Kong an ideal location for Mainland enterprises to establish corporate treasury centres. He also emphasised that Hong Kong has a highly developed transport infrastructure that connects conveniently with the world, along with high-quality education and a great quality of life. He said that Hong Kong welcomes friends from the Mainland to come to Hong Kong to pursue their dreams.

Government delegation members including Mr Yau; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip; the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Ms Salina Yan; the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Ms Maggie Wong; and the Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology), Dr Ge Ming, also attended the Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference. Two thematic networking sessions were hosted by Ms Yan and Dr Ge to the senior managements of the Mainland's financial and innovation and technology enterprises intending to be listed or develop business in Hong Kong for in-depth promotion of the investment opportunities in Hong Kong.

The Executive Vice Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Ji; the Mayor of Shanghai, Mr Gong Zheng; the Vice Minister and Deputy China International Trade Representative of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr Ling Ji; Vice Minister of Science and Technology Mr Long Teng, as well as Dr Lam, also spoke at the event.

A number of Hong Kong's business leaders were invited to the Shanghai Forum to share their insights on the unique positions and advantages of Hong Kong and Shanghai in international finance, international technology and innovation, and professional services sectors, as well as to explore ways to promote complementarity and shared prosperity of the two places. They included the Group Chairman of Nan Fung Group and the Group Chairman and Co-Founder of New Frontier Group, Mr Anthony Leung; the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Ms Bonnie Chan; the Head of Des Voeux Chambers, Ms Winnie Tam, SC; and the Chairman of GT Healthcare Capital Partners, Professor Lo Yuk-lam. In addition, a Mainland representative shared the successful experience of Shanghai-Hong Kong co-operation and investing in Hong Kong. Invest Hong Kong also signed a number of key co-operation projects with Shanghai enterprises.

StartmeupHK Festival 2024 Wraps Up with Over 3,400 Attendees and Global Startup Insights

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