Innovation and entrepreneurship competition launched for HK, Macao startups

The 15th China Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition – Qianhai, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Competition was officially launched in Shenzhen’s Qianhai special economic zone on Wednesday as part of the country’s push to boost innovation and youth exchanges.

The annual national-level competition, which is co-hosted by the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Qianhai Authority, opens applications for technology projects from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas.

This year’s competition, which continues through November, features five frontier technology tracks covering artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence, life and health, new energy and energy conservation and environmental protection, cultural creativity and sports technology, and new materials, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. A dedicated invitation channel for tech projects in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economies has also been introduced.

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According to the organizers, they are placing greater emphasis on connecting promising projects with capital and industrial resources. A new global investor network (GIN) was launched on Wednesday to serve as a platform for connecting Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas tech projects with global capital.

Each winning project could receive up to $1 million in potential investments from Qianhai Ehub-affiliated funds. Connection with GIN investors as well as entrepreneurial guidance and resource connections from GIN partners will also be offered to the winners.

Peter Mok Wai‑hin, general manager of Shenzhen Qianhai Ehub Operation Co Ltd, said organizers are focusing on attracting high-quality entrepreneurial projects rather than simply pursuing a vast number of entries.

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“We hope to empower participating startups so they can truly establish themselves in the (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) Greater Bay Area, secure investment and funding, and win business,” Mok said.

Samson Tam Wai‑ho, partner of Hong Kong Inno Angel Fund, said Hong Kong’s investment capital and international networks can complement application scenarios and supply-chain resources in mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area.

“Some of these startups originated in universities, and after establishing themselves in Qianhai, they have developed very quickly,” Tam said. “In Hong Kong, finding engineers and supply-chain support used to take more time. Qianhai and the Greater Bay Area can offer industrial connections and rapid supply-chain iteration, which gives these companies a strong advantage.”

Registration for the competition remains open until Sept 22.

Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com