City University of Hong Kong recently launched the first ever HK Tech 300 Southeast Asia Start-up Competition (HK Tech 300 SEA Competition) in Kuala Lumpur on May, extending the highly anticipated innovation and entrepreneurship program to Southeast Asia in partnerships with organisations in the region.
A large-scale flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme by City University of Hong Kong, HK Tech 300 was launched in 2021 with a total commitment of HK$600 million (about MYR 340 million).
The programme is a strategic move to translate City University of Hong Kong’s ground-breaking research results and intellectual property into practical applications, while simultaneously providing valuable opportunities for young talent and aspiring entrepreneurs to grow and learn.
Professor Way Kuo, President and University Distinguished Professor of City University of Hong Kong said, “We are thrilled to expand this highly successful initiative to Southeast Asia as the Competition presents a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to gain exposure and secure funding for their projects.”
“It will help translate City University of Hong Kong's outstanding research into applications, which can have a transformative impact on the entrepreneurship landscape here. We are excited to witness the positive impact of HK Tech 300 on the region and are committed to supporting and empowering innovative ideas in this part of the world,” Kuo added.
The HK Tech 300 Programme has made impressive progress towards its target of creating 300 start-ups within three years. In fact, it has already cultivated over 560 start-up teams, providing a HK$100,000 Seed Fund (about MYR 56,500) to each. In addition, the Programme has also invested up to HK$1 million (about MYR 565,000) in Angel Fund investment to more than 110 start-up companies.
Riding on the success and positive impact of the Programme, City University of Hong Kong has expanded the initiative to Southeast Asia this year, demonstrating its vision and determination to make it the biggest innovation and entrepreneurship programme in Asia.
The expansion aims to promote technology transfer and commercialisation in the region, showcasing the University's commitment to support Southeast Asian start-ups in expanding their business to Hong Kong, Mainland China and beyond, leveraging the unique advantages and resources available in Hong Kong.
The HK Tech 300 SEA Competition is being held in partnership with universities and incubators in the region, including Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) from Malaysia, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) from Brunei Darussalam, Chulalongkorn University from Thailand, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC), and various chambers of commerce. Through these partners, the Competition will bring together the most promising start-ups in the region to join the competition.
The Top 10 winners will each be awarded Angel Fund investment of up to HK$1 million (about MYR 565,000), providing a significant boost for their entrepreneurial endeavours.
About City University of Hong Kong
As one of the fastest-growing universities in the world over the last decade, City University of Hong Kong is recognised as a hub for innovation in research and professional education. The University’s world-class faculty champion the integration of teaching and research and consistently excel across many key international indicators for research excellence. Focusing on the core mission, City University of Hong Kong is committed to promoting knowledge and contributing to society through outstanding teaching and research.
For more information about HK Tech 300 SEA Competition, visit https://www.cityu.edu.hk/hktech300/seasia
About City University of Hong Kong, please visit: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/