The HKTDC Entrepreneur Day 2019 (E-Day) was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 16 – 17 May 2019. 11 HKUST Start-ups joined the fair, showcasing their services and products at the Imaginarium zone. This zone features local start-ups that are developing real-life applications in the areas of healthtech, biotech, fintech, greentech, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI).
Under the theme of “The Start-up Living Lab”, aiming to address current social problems and showcase corporate social responsibility initiatives, over 280 exhibitors gathered in the exhibition to demonstrate how to use innovative ideas and research to develop new products and services for four different areas of everyday life: clothing, food, housing and transportation. The following three HKUST start-ups are featured at the press conference of the exhibition. iSTEM Limited (iSTEM) demonstrated how AI, VR and gamification can be used to enhance students’ engagement in learning. Roborn leveraged motion detection control technology to control humanoid robot. Without Limited combined theories of meditation, hypnosis and psychotherapy with Internet of Things (IoT) to provide mental health services.
Being another key initiative of this event, Start-up Express is a start-up development programme which assists local start-ups in building networks, marketing their business, seeking potential partners and enhancing brand awareness through exhibitions, study missions and other activities. Selected from over 160 start-ups, 20 start-up finalists proposed solutions to improve efficiency in daily life and promote smart city development through AI, big data, greentech, fintech, IoT, medical technology, tourism technology and so on. Three HKUST start-ups, iSTEM, GoByBus.hk and Incus Company Limited (Incus) participated in the pitching contest. Selected by the panel of judges to be one of the 10 winners of the competition, Incus, a healthcare company that provides smart hearing aids with in advanced technologies at an affordable price, will enjoy the opportunity to explore new businesses opportunities overseas by taking part in international events and exhibitions like “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong”. It is a large-scale business promotion event in Los Angeles in the United States, aiming to help start-ups break into new markets.
“We met potential clients from industries we have not yet encountered,” said the company delegate of Set Sail Venture Limited, one of the HKUST start-ups which participated in the events,” It also helped to expand our network and bring us insights by connecting with other start-ups and listening to talks in the events.” According to the Event Evaluation Survey collected from the participating start-ups, they agreed that the event helped them to line-up with potential collaborators. Cherishing this opportunity offered by HKUST, they would be eager to join the show next year.
About HKTDC Entrepreneur Day
Organised by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the HKTDC Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) offers a one-stop platform for start-ups to get inspired, seek funding, source talents and build connections, and for investors to discover innovative products and services.
Three HKUST start-ups are featured at the press conference of the exhibition
The HKUST booth at the HKTDC Entrepreneur Day 2019
The VIP tour visited the HKUST booth