HKSTP Crowns Overall Champion Skyland Innovation at EPiC 2023 Pitching Competition Beating Over 610 Global Startups
28.4.2023 18:11:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) today successfully held its 7th Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC), naming Hong Kong startup, Skyland Innovation, as the overall 2023 champion, beating over 610 startups from 55 economies around the world. The signature event has partnered with the city’s leading corporations: Cathay, HSBC, MTR Lab, plus global accelerator Plug & Play, to become a true iconic mega event that has hit a global scale.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230428005353/en/
Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP (Centre), alongside EPiC 2023 Top 10 overall finalists. (Photo: Business Wire)
As Hong Kong’s flagship and largest pitching contest, 50 Grand Finale semi-finalists joined the city’s most eagerly anticipated pitch event this year at sky100 at the top of the International Commerce Centre in West Kowloon to re-create a real-life 60-second elevator pitch experience.
The EPiC 2023 judging panel of the region’s top entrepreneurs, investors and innovation ecosystem leaders selected Skyland Innovation from Hong Kong, as this year’s overall champion. The winner of the grand prize of US$ 90,000, helps property owners and contractors to coordinate and communicate seamlessly on construction sites through the use of robotics and AI. The local proptech is also a spinoff from the Hong Kong Center for Construction Robotics (HKCRC) within the HKSAR Government backed AIR@InnoHK research cluster located at Hong Kong Science Park.
Along with all 50 semi-finalists, Skyland Innovation also qualifies to be considered by the HKSTP Venture Fund for additional investment deals. If selected, each company can potentially receive up to a maximum investment of US$5 million.
EPiC 2023 competitors were split across the two themes of FinTech and PropTech with FinCrime Dynamics from the UK named as the overall FinTech category winner, and Skyland Innovation Company Ltd named the overall PropTech winner from Hong Kong. This year, Canvasland, a FinTech startup from Hong Kong was also voted by the public as the “My Favourite Pitcher" winner, taking away US$10,000 and 200,000 Asia Miles. The top 10 overall finalists also won US$10,000 each (Full winners and finalists list below).
Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of Hong Kong SAR, said: “Hong Kong has a strong, thriving startup ecosystem with 4000 startups, up more than 50% from 2018. Hong Kong is also a natural gateway to the GBA, which offers tremendous growth opportunities. Successful products and services will surely have an edge in the GBA, the whole of the nation and around the world. I am truly excited to be here at EPiC 2023 where startups strive to make their 60-second pitch truly count. I congratulate all the EPiC 2023 winners and invite startups from all over the world to join us in Hong Kong where the future is built.”
Sunny Chai, Chairman, HKSTP, said: “EPiC 2023 showcases the most exciting innovations from the world’s star-studded next-generation global tech ventures. Together with the Hong Kong Government's solid commitment, as reinforced by the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint, our city provides the ideal platform to expand into the vast Asian market. Hong Kong is also Asia’s world city and a bridge between the mainland and the world, making us a magnet for global innovation talent and enterprises.”
Albert Wong, CEO, HKSTP, said: “This year’s EPiC competition features a record international turnout and shows Hong Kong is truly back with a strong show of unicorns and soonicorns from around the world among this year’s finalists. But EPiC is more than just a competition, it is a prime example of Hong Kong’s unique ability to help startups grow fast and go beyond by providing a network of global investment opportunities and innovation talent to turn cutting-edge science, technologies, and ideas into game-changing solutions."
A magnet for global investors and innovation talent
EPiC 2023 surpassed all expectations, attracting over 610 entries from 55 countries and cities across five continents. Over 75% of contestants come from overseas, a record high proportion of overseas contestants and economies participation since 2016. Startups joining EPiC 2023 can fully leverage the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong and HKSTP’s direct connections to over 1,000 investors and more than 300 corporate partners.
In addition to the EPiC final pitching contest, the 50 semi-finalists have also taken part in the "Grow Beyond Hong Kong" Immersion Programme. This exclusive 2-day programme ran from 25-26 April, immersed the EPiC 2023 semi-finalists directly into HKSTP’s innovation ecosystem. Participants will unlock growth opportunities through educational talks, business matching and networking with leading corporate partners and investors in our ecosystem.
Winners List:
|
Overall Champion |
Skyland Innovation Company Ltd. |
||
|
“My Favourite Pitcher” Winner |
Canvasland Limited |
||
|
FinTech Winner |
FinCrime Dynamics |
||
|
PropTech Winner |
Skyland Innovation Company Ltd. |
||
|
Top 10 Overall Finalists |
FinTech Finalists:
FinCrime Dynamics Homebase Ultipa VoiceAI Technologies
PropTech Finalists:
I2Cool Limited
Mimicrete VoltSafe, Inc. Skyland Innovation Company Ltd. |
Contestants Breakdown:
|
Category |
|
|
No. of applicants |
|
PropTech |
|
|
266 (43%) |
|
FinTech |
|
|
352 (57%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No. of applicants |
|
Overseas |
|
|
465 (75%) |
|
Hong Kong |
|
|
153 (25%) |
A record high proportion of overseas contestants and economies participation since 2016.
For more information on EPiC 2023, please visit: https://epic.hkstp.org/
About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has for over 20 years committed to building up Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub to propel success for local and global pioneers today and tomorrow. HKSTP has established a thriving I&T ecosystem that is home to two unicorns and Hong Kong’s leading R&D hub with over 13,000 research professionals and over 1,300 technology companies focused on healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies.
Established in 2001, we attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation and technology for entrepreneurs on their journey of growth in Hong Kong, to the Greater Bay Area, Asia and beyond. Our growing innovation ecosystem is built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Shatin, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern INNOPARKs in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long. The three INNOPARKs are realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong. The goal is sectors like advanced manufacturing, electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined for a new generation of industry.
Through our infrastructure, services, expertise and network of partnerships, HKSTP will help establish innovation and technology as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong, while reinforcing Hong Kong’s international I&T hub status as a launchpad for global growth at the heart of the GBA innovation powerhouse.
More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230428005353/en/
Contact information
Media Contact:
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Betsy Leung
Tel: +852 2629 2300
Email: betsy.leung@hkstp.org
Edelman Public Relations
Lisa Tse
Tel: +852 3756 8632 / 6347 2009
Email: Lisa.Tse@edelman.com / Edelmanhkstppr@edelman.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Japan's Cross-Border E-Commerce "WAFUU.COM" Unveils Official Mascot Character "Mochi"22.7.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
QRESTIA Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya, Tokyo; President & CEO: Hidemasa Fukada) is pleased to announce that WAFUU.COM, its cross-border e-commerce site, has unveiled its new official mascot character, Mochi. Mochi will represent WAFUU.COM's warmth and friendliness across its website, social media, campaigns, package inserts, and other creative materials, connecting with fans everywhere. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260721435469/en/ Mochi, WAFUU.COM's new official mascot character, embodies "A tiny happiness from Japan." (Photo: WAFUU.COM) The debut video is now live on Mochi's official website: https://mochi.wafuu.com/ 1. About Mochi Mochi was born to embody the simple joy of choosing Japanese products. Its soft, rounded silhouette, gentle expression, and distinctive, endearing details are designed to feel welcoming to first-time visitors and longtime fans of Japanese culture alike — a character people will w
New NEURA Gym with RWTH Aachen: NEURA Robotics Expands its Global Training Network for Physical AI22.7.2026 10:10:00 EEST | Press release
NEURA Robotics ("NEURA"), the pioneer in cognitive robotics and creator of the Neuraverse, today announces a new partnership with RWTH Aachen University for the establishment of NEURA Gym RWTH Aachen. This continues the global rollout of NEURA Gyms, a worldwide network of purpose-built Physical AI training facilities that address the most significant barrier to intelligent robotics: the scarcity of real-world training data. The global rollout is backed by NEURA's Series C financing of up to $1.4 billion, the largest ever raised by a full-stack robotics company. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260721136838/en/ New NEURA Gym with RWTH Aachen: NEURA Robotics Expands its Global Training Network for Physical AI While ten NEURA Gyms are currently under development, five locations across Europe, the United States and China will be operational by end of 2026. The network is anchored by the two European flagship Univer
Specright Launches Automated PPWR Declaration of Conformity Reporting22.7.2026 07:00:00 EEST | Press release
Specright™, the leader in AI-powered Specification Data Management™ (SDM) and modern Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), today announced a new Declaration of Conformity (DoC) reporting capability that automates a core requirement of the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260721689027/en/ Specright's new capability automates PPWR Declaration of Conformity reporting ahead of the EU's August 2026 deadline. Companies placing packaged goods on the EU market must produce a signed DoC starting August 12, 2026, covering PPWR Articles 5 through 12 — substance restrictions, recyclability, recycled content, minimization, reusability, and labeling. For most brands, that documentation is scattered across suppliers and spreadsheets, turning routine filings into monthslong searches. "This launch builds on our EMEA investments this past year — from the PPWR-ready packaging in
MediaCo Appoints Brian Fisher as President21.7.2026 23:15:00 EEST | Press release
MediaCo Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: MDIA) today announced executive leadership appointments that align the Company's leadership structure to support its long-term growth strategy. Effective immediately, Brian Fisher has been appointed President of MediaCo. Albert Rodriguez will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer, focusing on the Company's long-term strategy, growth initiatives and shareholder value, while Fisher assumes responsibility for leading the Company's day-to-day operations and execution. The Company also announced that Roberto Castro has been appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer and Interim Treasurer, overseeing the Finance organization while a search is conducted for a permanent Chief Financial Officer. "MediaCo has built tremendous momentum, and these leadership appointments position us well for our next phase of growth," said Albert Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer of MediaCo. "Brian is the right leader to serve as President, and Roberto's financial expertise wil
Footprint Expands Into PE-Free Cups, Bringing a Proven, Recyclable and Home-Compostable Alternative to Plastic-Lined Paper Cups Into Production21.7.2026 19:00:00 EEST | Press release
Footprint, a materials science and technology company focused on eliminating single-use plastics, today announced it has acquired a recyclable, home-compostable, polyethylene (PE)-free hot and cold cup platform from Transcend Packaging, along with next-generation paper lid and straw solutions. Transcend Packaging is a European company focused on innovation in sustainable packaging solutions. Together, the cup, lid, and straw expand Footprint’s portfolio with a proven solution for the global cup market. Footprint will begin scaling its new PE-free solution through its Poland facility as the company expands across Europe, with North America to follow. As operations ramp in Poland, Footprint will work with Transcend through a manufacturing partnership to support customer continuity across Europe and meet growing demand for practical alternatives to plastic-lined cups. Transcend will manufacture product from its Wales facility for Footprint customers, while continuing to serve customers in
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom