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Hong Kong, 9 June 2025 – The Techno-Entrepreneurship Core (TEC) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) celebrated the successful launch of the Tech-Up GBA Innovators Programme and co-hosted the HKU Demo Day with the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) Startup Council’s STARS Programme on 9 June 2025.

Empowering the Next Generation of Tech Entrepreneurs

The Tech-Up GBA Innovators Programme is designed to empower young tech entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The programme provides seed funding, mentorship, and access to essential resources, equipping participants with the tools needed to succeed in today’s competitive startup ecosystem.

Supported by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) through the Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Entrepreneurship Scheme), and administered under the Youth Development Fund (YDF) by the Youth Development Commission (YDC), Tech-Up is set to recruit a second cohort of emerging young tech entrepreneurs from HKU. This initiative builds on the legacy of HKU’s iDendron, which launched the ‘Gear-Up Incubation Programme’ in 2019—a three-year initiative that has already supported numerous young entrepreneurs and HKU startups in realizing their entrepreneurial dreams.

Officiating Guests and Keynote Speakers

The launch ceremony was graced by a distinguished lineup of officiating guests:

• Prof. Stephanie Ma, Associate Vice-President (Research and Innovation), HKU
• Mr. Clarence Leung, BBS, JP, Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, HKSAR Government
• Hon. Duncan Chiu, Legislative Councillor (Technology and Innovation)
• Dr. Steve Chuang, Chairman, Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI)
• Professor Jimmy Tao, Chairman, Hong Kong Startup Council
• Ms Chan Wing Man, MH, Convenor, Action Group on Youth Development Fund and Programmes, Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB)
• Mr. Jason Chiu, Chairman, Versitech
• Professor Dr. Winnie Tang (鄧淑明博士), Chief Convenor, HKU Super Angel Network
• Dr Paul Wang, Director of HKU TEC

The event featured inspiring keynote speeches from two prominent HKU alumni:

• Mr. Harris Sun, CEO & Founder of RaSpect.ai, shared his entrepreneurial journey and vision for leveraging AI and robotics in infrastructure inspection.
• Mr. Albert Lam, Founder & CEO of Novelte Robotics, provided valuable insights into scaling a tech startup in the Greater Bay Area.

HKU Demo Day x FHKI Startup Council’s STARS Programme

HKU Demo Day, co-organised with the FHKI Startup Council’s STARS Programme (Cohort 6 – Session 2), showcased a dynamic lineup of rapidly developing HKU startups engaged in fundraising for ESG & Advanced Tech, ICT, and AI sectors. This special edition event brought together innovative startups to pitch their business plans and latest progress to an audience of super angel network members, venture capital investors, and industry experts.

The event provided an exceptional networking opportunity, connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with industry leaders. FHKI Startup Council members also offered personalised one-on-one consultations, providing tailored guidance to help startups accelerate their journey to success.

Congratulations to DIAMNEX Limited for securing 1st Runner-Up and to Shenzhen Stellar Robot Technology Co., Limited for winning the Championship and the Outstanding Presentation Award at Demo Day!

STARS Programme Cohort 6 x HKU Demo Day: Schedule and Participating Startups

Team	Category	Company Name (English)	Company Name (Chinese)	Academic PIC
1	Robotics	Exynergy	类生科技	Prof. Xi Ning
2 (1st Runner Up)	Material Tech	DIAMNEX Limited	钻耐科思有限公司	Prof. CHU Zhiqin
3	ICT/AI & Big Data	Engram	忆生科技	Prof. Ma Yi
4	ICT/AI & Big Data	High Tech Technology Limited	芯高科技有限公司	Dr. David NG
5	Robotics	TreadCloud Tech	踏雲科技	Prof. LU Peng
6	ICT/AI & Big Data	SenseAI	山海科技	Prof. WU Chenshu
7	Robotics	Spatial Robotics	n/a	Prof. ZHANG Fu
8	Health Tech	E-Sense Innovation & Technology Limited	溢生創新科技有限公司	Prof. Desmond Yap
9	Fin Tech	FinSiliconX Limited	n/a	Dr. David NG
10 (Outstanding Presentation Award)	Robotics	Shenzhen Stellar Robot Technology Co.,Limited	星际光年	Prof. Luo Ping

Looking Forward

The successful launch of the Tech-Up GBA Innovators Programme and the HKU X Startup Council Demo Day marks a significant milestone in nurturing the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and innovators. These initiatives continue to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and government, driving technological innovation and entrepreneurial growth in the Greater Bay Area.

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Tech-up GBA Innovators Programme 

The Tech-Up GBA Innovators Programme (Tech-Up) aims to empower young tech entrepreneurs to transform their concepts into viable business ventures in Hong Kong and/or the Greater Bay Area by providing seed funding, mentorship, and access to key resources. 

Tech-up is organised by the Techno-Entrepreneurship Core (TEC) of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and supported by Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) through the Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Entrepreneurship Scheme), under the Youth Development Fund (YDF) administered by the Youth Development Commission (YDC). 

HKU Demo Day X FHKI Startup Council’s Star Programme 

HKU Demo Day, a dynamic showcase co-organised with FHKI Startup Council’s STARS Programme (Cohort 6 – Session 2). The pitching teams will mainly consist of rapidly developing HKU startups that are currently in fundraising activities in ESG & Advanced Tech plus ICT & AI sectors. This special edition event brings together innovative startups to pitch their business plans and latest progress to a distinguished audience of super angel network’s community, venture capital investors and industry experts.  

This event offers an exceptional networking opportunity, connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with industry leaders. Additionally, FHKI Startup Council members will provide personalised one-on-one consultations, offering tailored guidance to help startups accelerate their journey to success.  

Learn more about Tech-Up: https://tec.hku.hk/tech-up-gba-innovators-programme/

For media enquiries, please contact:
hkutec@hku.hk

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For Immediate Release
12 April, 2025

Geneva, Switzerland – The University of Hong Kong (HKU) announces its successful participation in the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, held from 9 to 13 April, 2025. HKU secured a total of 32 awards, which included one esteemed special grand prize, seven Gold with Jury Congratulations, eight Golds, nine Silvers and seven Bronze medals.  

The project Live-attenuated Influenza Vaccine with Alpha-1,3-Galactosyltransferase Expression to Enhance Immune Response won Special Grand Prize – Saudi Innovation Excellence Prize & Gold Medal with Jury Congratulations. It focuses on creating a live-attenuated influenza vaccine that expresses α-Gal epitopes on the surfaces of infected cells. By introducing a gene for alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase into the neuraminidase gene segment of the influenza virus, the vaccine promotes the opsonization of these infected cells by anti-α-Gal antibodies, thereby enhancing the immune response triggered by the vaccine. This innovative approach aims to improve the efficacy of influenza vaccination. The project is led by Prof Leo L.M. POON and Dr Alex W.H. CHIN from the School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine.  

The other six projects also won Gold Medal with Jury Congratulations, including:

1.  A Multimodal Medical Screening and Disease Monitoring Platform to Serve Healthcare Professionals, Patients, and Families in Primary Health Settings with Clinical Standard Readout, Environmental Versatility, and Accessibility  

The project aims to provide healthcare professionals, patients, and families with a portable Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) system for the early detection and monitoring of vital organs such as the lung, liver, kidney, heart, and brain. Designed for use in primary healthcare settings like clinics, community centers, and homes, this non-invasive technology utilizes advanced microelectronics to measure impedance distribution in organs and generates clinically standard readouts through AI-enabled processing. The EIT system is validated by clinical professionals, offering a unique solution for disease detection and monitoring in community, clinic, and home environments.  

It is led by Prof Desmond YAP from the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, Dr Russell W. CHAN and Dr Eddie C. WONG.  

2. AI-Powered Blood Pressure Monitoring for Everyone  

The project focuses on developing a non-invasive method for measuring blood pressure using AI and the built-in sensors of mobile devices, such as microphones, motion sensors, and cameras. This innovative approach allows for convenient home healthcare and continuous monitoring without the need for additional hardware. Key features include the ability to compute various vital signs, telemedicine integration, emergency care capabilities, personalized drug dosage optimization, cost-effectiveness, high scalability, and privacy protection, ensuring that no identifiable data is exposed.  

It is led by Mr Nicholas Tze Yin KWOK and Prof Joshua Wing Kei HO from the School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine.  

3. Circulating Thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) – A Novel Fibrosis Biomarker for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease  

The project focuses on using circulating thrombospondin-2 levels as a simple and non-invasive blood biomarker to predict the presence and progression of advanced liver fibrosis. This biomarker is significant for identifying critical stages of steatotic liver disease, which can influence disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders.  

It is led by Dr Chi-Ho LEE, Prof Karen Siu-Ling LAM and Prof Aimin XU from the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine.  

4. Compositions and Methods of Gamma-delta T Cell Extracellular Vesicle-based Tumor Vaccines  

The project focuses on utilizing extracellular vesicles derived from γδ-T cells as a versatile platform for cancer vaccine development. This approach enhances immune activation and exerts antitumor effects, offering a scalable and ready-to-use solution for various cancers. The technology highlights include the use of γδ-T-EVs to deliver tumor antigens, stimulate immune responses, and directly eliminate tumor cells, ensuring improved safety, effectiveness, and broad applicability in cancer treatment.  

It is led by Prof Wenwei TU, Dr Yinping LIU and Dr Xiwei WANG from the Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine.  

5. Hypoxia-Primed Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Their Derivatives Enhance Lung Injury Repair  

The project focuses on preconditioning mesenchymal stromal cells under hypoxic conditions, which simulates the oxygen deprivation seen in tissue damage. This process stimulates the secretion of therapeutic extracellular vesicles enriched with angiogenic factors that facilitate tissue regeneration following acute lung injury. These enhanced extracellular vesicles play a crucial role in promoting recovery from acute lung injuries associated with respiratory diseases.  

It is led by Prof Michael Chi Wai CHAN, Dr Angel Po Yee MA, and Dr Rachel Hiu Ha CHING from the School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine.    

6. Methods to Prepare Vdelta2-T Cells Derived Exosomes for Treatment of Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Cancers  

The project focuses on developing techniques to produce exosomes from Vdelta2-T cells (Vδ2-T-Exos) aimed at treating EBV-associated cancers. These exosomes selectively target and kill tumor cells while enhancing T-cell antitumor immunity, providing a stable, scalable, and safer cancer therapy option. The innovation introduces Vδ2-T-Exos, which not only induce apoptosis in EBV-related tumor cells but also bolster T cell-mediated immunity, offering high bioavailability and low side effects, thus presenting a promising cell-free immunotherapy for effective treatment of EBV-related cancer  

It is led by Prof Wenwei TU, Dr Yinping LIU and Dr Xiwei WANG from the Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine.  

HKU exhibited 32 groundbreaking projects addressing critical global challenges across various fields, including biomedicine, engineering, and advanced garment manufacturing technology. The innovations presented by HKU reflect the University’s dedication to translating research into practical applications that benefit society.  

Among the standout projects were advancements in health technology and novel therapeutic strategies, which garnered attention for their potential to improve health outcomes and enhance quality of life. These inventions exemplify HKU’s mission to foster innovation that address pressing societal needs.  

Professor Max Shen, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), expressed pride in the researchers’ accomplishments: “Our participation in the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva highlights HKU’s commitment in innovation. We are thrilled to have received 32 awards this year, underscoring the exceptional work of our researchers and their commitment to creating impactful solutions.”  

The International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva serves as a vital platform for inventors, researchers, and industry leaders from around the globe. HKU’s achievements at this event strengthen its role as a leader in innovation and research, contributing to the ongoing development of sustainable solutions and technological advancements.  

Please click here for a complete list of HKU’s inventions participated in the event and further details.    
Please click here to download high-res photos.

For media enquiries, please contact:  
Mr Antony KWONG
Knowledge Exchange Office  
Email: antonyak@hku.hk     

For Immediate Release
March 17, 2025

Hong Kong – On March 16, 2025, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) marked a historic milestone with the HKU Super Angel Symposium and the official launch of the HKU Super Angel Network (HKU SAN) during HKU Alumni Day. Held at the Rayson Huang Theatre, the event welcomed an enthusiastic gathering of alumni, entrepreneurs, and supporters, uniting them in a shared vision to advance HKU’s mission of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

The day commenced with inspiring opening remarks from Professor Stephanie Ma, Associate Vice-President (Research and Innovation) of HKU. She galvanized attendees with three key messages: HKU’s steadfast dedication to driving innovation, a bold call for alumni and supporters to rally through HKU SAN to empower the next generation of innovators, and an invitation for all to shape the future of HKU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The centerpiece of the event was the launch of the HKU Super Angel Network, heralded as the first initiative of its kind among Hong Kong universities. Led by Dr. Winnie Tang (鄧淑明博士), MH, JP, Chief Convenor of HKU SAN, the network unites alumni and supporters to bolster the startup ecosystem through donations, investments, and mentorship. In her visionary keynote, Dr. Tang emphasized, “This network is about creating a robust support system where experience and networks are shared, enriching the entrepreneurial journey for all.”

The launch was officiated by a distinguished lineup of guests, including:

• Prof. Stephanie Ma, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of The University of Hong Kong
• Ms. Clara Chan, CEO of Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited | HKIC
• Dr. Winnie Tang, MH, JP, Chief Convenor of HKU Super Angel Network
• Mr. Simon Chan, BBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited
• Mr. Hendrick Sin, MH, Founding Managing Director of China Prosperity Capital
• Mr. Jason Chiu, Chairman of Versitech Ltd
• Dr. Paul Wang, Director of HKU Techno-Entrepreneurship Core
• Ms. Monica Wong, Director of HKU Alumni Affairs

Their presence marked the celebrated kickoff of this momentous initiative.

The Symposium featured a dynamic program of keynote speeches and panel discussions spotlighting HKU’s trailblazing entrepreneurs. Highlights included a fireside chat between Mr. Ray Chan, CEO & Co-founder of 9GAG, and Dr. Paul Wang, Director of Techno-Entrepreneurship Core, delving into the journey of building a global brand, and a presentation by Mr. William Yeung, CEO & Co-founder of MediConCen, on leveraging AI and blockchain to transform insurance claims.

The event’s exceptional panel discussion brought together luminaries including Dr. Winnie Tang, MH, JP; Mr. Hendrick Sin, MH, Founding and Managing Partner at China Prosperity Capital Fund; Mr. Albert Wong, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP); Professor Teng Grace Zhang, Assistant Professor of HKU’s Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology; and Ms. Rebecca Leung, Co-founder of The Z Label and Former Regional Executive Director of KKday. Together, they offered sharp insights into the future of entrepreneurship, sparking lively debate and inspiration. 

The event concluded with a buzzing networking session, fostering connections and creativity. One attendee reflected, “The boldness of this idea is matched only by its potential to transform Hong Kong’s startups, with HKU lighting the way for future innovation.”

HKU extends heartfelt gratitude to the organizing committee and the inaugural supporters of HKU SAN for their invaluable contributions:

A special thank you to the first batch of supporters and the organizing committee of the HKU Super Angel Network for your invaluable contributions.

Organizing Committees:

• Prof. Stephanie Ma, HKU, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of HKU
• Dr. Winnie Tang, MH, JP, Chief Convenor of HKU Super Angel Network 
• Mr. Damien Wu, Smart City Consortium
• Mr.  Albert Leung, Chief Technology Officer of eBRAM
• Mr. Dennis Choi, Managing Director of CR Capital
• Mr. Sam Fan, Partner of Big Four Accounting Firm
• Mr. Fred LI , Managing Director of Gobi Partners
• Ms. Monica Wong , Director of HKU Alumni Affairs
• Dr. Paul Wang , HKU, Director of HKU TEC

1st Batch HKU SAN’s Supporters:

• Dr. George Liu
• Fortera Capital
• Dr. Fred Fei
• Mr. Ray Fung on behalf of Hang Seng Bank​
• Mr. Chibo Tang on behalf of Gobi Partners​
• Dr. Nung Chi Norman Sze
• Mr. Johnny Mok, SC，BBS，JP​
• Mr. Daniel Tam Yun Lam
• Dr. Joe Mak 
• Mr. Richard Mak​
• Mr. Harris Sun ​

The HKU Super Angel Symposium and the launch of HKU SAN underscore the university’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal impact. Thank you to all who joined us in making this milestone unforgettable.

For more information about the HKU Super Angel Network and how to get involved, visit www.tec.hku.hk/hkusan.

Media Contact: angelnetwork@hku.hk

Video Highlights:

Event Photos Download

The HKU Entrepreneurship Engine Fund (EEF) Partnership Agreement Signing Ceremony marked the start of the first round of partner funds under the EEF. Three notable partners— CASSTAR(中科创星), Inno Angels (英诺天使基金) and Beyond Ventures (海闊天空創投) —have collectively pledged HK$370 million to invest in HKU-affiliated start-ups.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Prof Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor; Mrs Margaret M.Y. Leung Ko, Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee, and Prof Max Shen, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), who witnessed this significant occasion.

The EEF partners are committed to actively supporting the university’s innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives through mentorship and financial backing. These early-stage investors will offer valuable expertise in commercialising academic research outcomes and fostering connections between entrepreneurs and industries, both locally and internationally.

The EEF is set to deliver key benefits to HKU, including:

Support for Start-ups: Providing vital financial backing to nurture seed and early-stage deep-tech start-ups

Access to Expertise: Enhancing mentorship and resource-sharing for emerging entrepreneurs through partnerships with leading investors

Fostering Innovation: Driving transformative solutions by connecting academic excellence with entrepreneurial vision.

香港大學（港大）今日成功舉行「創業引擎基金」（EEF）夥伴簽約儀式，為首批合作夥伴基金正式啓航。活動伊始，由港大校長張翔教授致開幕辭，他指出港大作為亞洲的國際化學府，正借助其世界級學者團隊與跨學科優勢，積極推動深科技（deep-tech）領域的創新創業生態。從去年開始將知識產權收益80%回饋予發明人、至在深港交界的河套合作區設立MILES研究院並支持高風險高回報的前沿科研，港大正努力將學術卓越轉換為切實的經濟與社會影響。張校長強調，EEF的設立將通過引入“耐心資本”及區域頂尖早期投資力量，為港大科研轉化提供強大的助推力。

隨後，港大司庫梁高美懿女士致賀詞，期許港大持續為區域乃至全球的科技創新發展注入新動力，並感謝創業引擎基金顧問委員會及各合作方的支持。

在簽約環節中，港大首先與中科創星簽訂投資意向協議，計劃打造首個專為創業引擎基金定制的聯合基金。此後，港大又與英諾天使基金及海闊天空創投達成協議，作為EEF首批領投基金。這三方合計承諾投資逾3.7億港元，助力港大相關初創企業加速成長。

其後，港大科創中心總監汪鵬博士及各合作方代表包括中科創星創始合伙人米磊博士，香港英諾天使基金創始合伙人譚偉豪博士，以及海闊天空創投副總裁陳珮珊女士都做了精彩發言，介紹了EEF的發展藍圖，及各自在科技創投領域的經驗與願景，共同推動前沿科研走向產業化。最後，港大副校長（研究）申作軍教授致閉幕辭，並鼓勵在場所有的投資人與創業者為香港、國家和世界創造變革性影響，為此次儀式划上圓滿句號。活動在午宴交流環節中落幕，為港大社群、投資機構及初創團隊創造進一步聯結、共建更具活力創業生態圈的契機。