HKSTP Innovation Mixer Delegation Visits US Connecting with Over 10,000 Tech Innovators, Academics, Researchers and Enterprises Global Tech Innovation Tour Sets Sail from Hong Kong

(Hong Kong, 9 February 2024) – A delegation from Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) embarked on an Innovation Mixer US West Coast Tour in early January, organising a succession of events and engaging with over 10,000 local tech innovators and enterprises. This initiative served to strengthen the ties between the innovation ecosystems of Hong Kong and the US West Coast whilst showcasing the significant opportunities and resources available in Hong Kong for advancing tech innovation in Asia and globally.

The roadshow included leading a cohort of pioneering technology enterprises to participate in the globally celebrated Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2024) held in Las Vegas; hosting a reception in San Francisco; meeting with leading tech corporations such as NVIDIA, Google, and LinkedIn; and visiting prestigious academic institutions Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, to connect with local talents. The regional semi-finals of the 'Elevator Pitch Competition 2024' were also successfully concluded in Silicon Valley.

HKSTP led a contingent of 18 incubation enterprises to the CES 2024 in Las Vegas, US, achieving fruitful outcomes. The "Hong Kong Tech" pavilion drew more than 6,000 visitors from around the globe, with the exhibiting companies interacting with approximately 4,000 attendees, demonstrating their technologies and exchanging insights. High-profile visitors included CEO from Microsoft, key decision makers from Best Buy, L'Oréal, and Apple, among other internationally acclaimed brands. On average, each company secured approximately 40 promising business leads. Notably, AI Guided Limited and Sitan Semiconductor International Co Limited were respectively honoured with the CES Innovation Awards 2024, substantiating the excellence of Hong Kong's research and development capabilities.

The Innovation Mixer delegation also travelled to San Francisco and Silicon Valley, visiting world-class technology firms like NVIDIA and engaging in discussions with more than 40 leading enterprises, venture capital firms, accelerators, academia and R&D leaders to introduce Hong Kong's rapidly developing tech ecosystem to innovators and talent. A dinner reception, co-organised with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco and the Hong Kong Association of Northern California, attracted around 150 local technology professionals.

Furthermore, the delegation visited prestigious academic institutions such as Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley — renowned for fostering high-calibre talent — and met with representatives from various departments and research institutes to explore collaborative opportunities in nurturing talent. They also directly engaged with students on campus to promote internship and career development opportunities offered by HKSTP.

The Elevator Pitch Competition 2024 (EPiC), organised by HKSTP, serves as a global platform that connects innovators worldwide, using Hong Kong as a gateway to markets across Asia, the Greater Bay Area, and Mainland China. This year introduces the inaugural regional semi-finals, with the first event spanning two days in Silicon Valley, US, which attracted more than 300 participants. Over 127 US-based contestants competed for 20 coveted spots in the EPiC 2024 Grand Finale, set to take place on 26 April in Hong Kong. The competition was imbued with excitement as contestants vied for a share of the Hong Kong Science Park Venture Fund, offering investment funds of up to US$5 million, a cash prize of US$240,000, and additional opportunities for business collaboration. Further regional contests are planned for Stuttgart, Germany, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, "Talent is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's development into an International Innovation and Technology Hub. We will continue to organise exchange events such as the Innovation Mixer to showcase Hong Kong's opportunities for technological innovation to the world and to affirm its status as the optimal launchpad for ventures into Asia and global markets. Additionally, we are poised to expand our reach to another globally watched market in the Middle East this March, signalling further exciting developments to come."