HKSTP Demonstrated Hong Kong’s Vibrant Biotechnology and Fintech Ecosystem at Think Asia Think Hong Kong in Los Angeles

Speaking at HKMA’s thematic session, Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP shared the current fintech landscape and related R&D capabilities in Hong Kong, as well as startup case studies that HKSTP has supported.

In the panel discussion hosted by HKSTP, Prof. John Kao, Head of the Biomedical Technology Cluster of HKSTP, led the discussion with the six senior executives of biotech companies. They shared the latest developments and opportunities in Hong Kong’s biotechnology and healthcare industries.

Five biotech Science Park companies and another 11 ICT and fintech-related incubatees showcased their innovations at the InnoVenture Salon, exploring potential partnership and investment opportunities with other global entrepreneurs and the US business community.

Eleven ICT and fintech-related startups from HKSTP’s Incubation Programmes joined HKTDC’s delegation, “Hong Kong Tech and Startup Mission”, to San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles, in the same week of TATHK.

Hong Kong, 23 September 2019 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) announced its successful participation in the Think Asia Think Hong Kong (TATHK) event to promote Hong Kong’s ever-growing and vibrant biotechnology and fintech sectors to the US entrepreneurs and business community. TATHK, an international promotion event organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), was held in Los Angeles on 20 September 2019, to showcase Hong Kong’s attractive business environment and professional services for corporates and startups all over the world.

Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) sector has been growing in strength and becoming a key pillar of Hong Kong’s economy. At the event, HKSTP hosted a thematic session, “Riding the Wave of Health Innovations – Invest in Hong Kong Biotech”, to highlight the investment and development opportunities of Hong Kong’s biotechnology and healthcare industries, as well as the potential of the Greater Bay Area. Prof. John Kao, Head of the Biomedical Technology Cluster of HKSTP, led the panel discussion in the thematic session, together with the senior executives from biotech partner companies and incubatees to share the latest developments and insights in Hong Kong’s biotechnology and healthcare industries.

In a separate session, “Smart Banking empowering rapid fintech development in Hong Kong”, hosted by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, shared the current fintech landscape and related R&D capabilities in Hong Kong, as well as startup case studies that HKSTP has supported.

Albert said, “Biotech and fintech are two focus areas which Hong Kong enjoys competitive advantages. TATHK, as well as all of HKTDC’s other overseas events, has been a great platform for HKSTP to promote our startups of various technology focus areas to the global community. Hong Kong has been providing comprehensive value-added services and R&D infrastructure for technopreneurs and global enterprises that wish to thrive locally and expand into the Mainland and Asia. Today’s thematic sessions gave us the opportunity to share Hong Kong’s edge in I&T and our potential to turn into a regional I&T hub. Talent and investors should look to leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages as a springboard to tap into opportunities in China and Asia.”

The five biotech partner companies and incubatees - Arbele, Codex Genetics, Opharmic Technology (HK), RainsOptics and Sanomics – were also the representatives at the InnoVenture Salon at TATHK. The Innovation Salon served as a platform for HKSTP to reach out to US startups and talent, showcasing the various mentoring, acceleration and incubation programmes offered at Science Park.

As an initiative to continually promote Hong Kong’s high-potential and emerging information and communications technologies (ICT) and fintech startups to the global community, HKTDC’s “Hong Kong Tech & Startup Mission”, to San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles was held from 17 – 20 September and another 11 ICT and fintech-related incubatees from the Park were part of the delegation. They had the opportunity to have fruitful exchange with veterans in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics, blockchain and IoT, as well as academia and the investor community. They were also included in the InnoVenture Salon at TATHK.

“TATHK also allowed us to demonstrate the success of our Park companies to the business community in the US and share how our homegrown innovations leveraged Hong Kong to grow and expand into the Greater Bay Area market. With our comprehensive and professional support services, we hope to see more international startups and talent come to Hong Kong, so as to foster technological exchange and co-creation to further strengthen the city’s vibrant I&T ecosystem,” added Albert.