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
Andersen Global Adds Collaborating Firm Pi Advisory12.2.2026 16:30:00 EET | Press release
Andersen Global strengthens its capabilities in Africa through a Collaboration Agreement with Pi Advisory, a financial advisory firm based in Angola with a presence in Mozambique and Portugal. Pi Advisory provides a comprehensive suite of services, including full-service tax services, business support and outsourcing, financial advisory, and a wide range of corporate services to support clients with everything from setting up a new business entity to navigating local tax regulations. The firm integrates Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) principles into its operations, reflecting its commitment to sustainable business practices. “This collaboration strengthens our ability to support clients with complex, multi-jurisdictional needs,” said António Amaral Correia, partner at Pi Advisory. “By collaborating with Andersen Global, we can provide solutions that meet the evolving demands of clients in Lusophone markets and beyond.” Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of
i2c Named Finalist for Best Security or Anti-Fraud Development at Card & Payments Awards Middle East 202612.2.2026 16:00:00 EET | Press release
i2c Inc., a global financial technology innovator, has been named a finalist in the Best Security or Anti-Fraud Development category at The Card & Payments Awards Middle East 2026. The region’s premier awards program recognizes organizations that deliver practical, high-impact innovations to strengthen payment security and protect customers in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital payments markets. i2c was recognized for its AI-driven Fraud Risk Management solution, embedded directly within its unified banking and payments platform and operating in real time at the point of transaction authorization—an increasingly critical capability as digital payments scale across Middle East markets. By evaluating risk at the moment a payment is initiated, rather than after funds are approved, the solution enables earlier detection of fraudulent activity while preserving approval rates and minimizing friction for legitimate customers. Designed for digital‑first economies where fraud evolves qu
SLB Awarded Multiple Offshore Drilling Contracts by Mubadala Energy for Tangkulo Deepwater Development in Indonesia12.2.2026 15:00:00 EET | Press release
Global energy technology company SLB (NYSE: SLB) has been awarded multiple offshore drilling services contracts by Mubadala Energy, the Abu Dhabi headquartered international energy company, for the Tangkulo natural gas deepwater development and associated exploration and appraisal drilling activities in the Andaman Sea, offshore Indonesia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260212809124/en/ The project will leverage SLB’s offshore and deepwater technologies, including real-time downhole monitoring, to reduce operational risk, improve well placement and strengthen project economics. Under the awards, SLB will work with Mubadala Energy to deliver integrated drilling and well services across the full well life cycle. The scope includes directional drilling, drilling fluids, cementing, wireline, slickline, coiled tubing, well testing, mud logging and upper and lower completions. The integrated model is designed to st
Align Partners Issues Formal Shareholder Proposals to Dentium12.2.2026 14:43:00 EET | Press release
Align Partners Capital Management Inc. (“Align Partners”), a shareholder of Dentium Co., Ltd. (“Dentium” or the “Company”), has submitted formal shareholder proposals for inclusion in the agenda of Dentium’s upcoming 26th Annual General Meeting (“AGM”), urging the Company to strengthen governance practices and improve capital allocation discipline. Align Partners noted that, given shareholder proposals will be presented at this year’s AGM, Dentium should follow the Korea Exchange (KRX) Corporate Governance Key Indicators by publishing the AGM convocation notice at least four weeks prior to the meeting date and adopting an electronic voting system to enhance shareholder participation. Dentium is widely recognized as a global leader in the dental implant industry, supported by superior technology and more than 23 years of long-term clinical data. Despite this strong positioning, Align Partners believes the Company continues to trade at a meaningful discount. As of February 11, 2026, Dent
Align Partners Issues Public Shareholder Letter and Submits Formal Shareholder Proposals to SoluM12.2.2026 14:42:00 EET | Press release
Align Partners Capital Management Inc. (“Align Partners”), a shareholder of SoluM Co., Ltd. (“SoluM” or the “Company”), has submitted formal shareholder proposals for inclusion in the agenda of SoluM’s 2026 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) and issued its first public shareholder letter to the Company’s Board of Directors. Align Partners requested that SoluM’s Board and management provide a public written response to the shareholder letter by the AGM convocation notice deadline ahead of the March 2026 meeting. The campaign reflects Align Partners’ view that meaningful governance reforms and strategic focus are urgently needed to unlock shareholder value. SoluM operates a high-growth Electronic Shelf Label (“ESL”) business with strong global positioning and attractive long-term market potential. Despite this, the Company’s share price has remained near historical lows since its listing. As of February 11, 2026, SoluM trades at a last-twelve-month EV/EBIT multiple of 28.9x, representing a s
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