HKSTP Crowns Overall Champion Skyland Innovation at EPiC 2023 Pitching Competition Beating Over 610 Global Startups
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
WattCycle Unveils 2025 Black Friday Battery Sales with Europe-Wide Savings on LiFePO4 Batteries27.11.2025 08:00:00 EET | Press release
WattCycle today announces the launch of its Europe-wide Black Friday battery deals 2025, offer up to 60% off for LiFePO4 batteries plus an additional 8% discount at checkout with no minimum order value. All EU users are covered by 30 days price protection policy to ensure they secure the best available price during the promotion. Get your Battery Coupon Code: BlackFriday8% Of particular note is the WattCycle 12V 314Ah battery, featured as the most heavily discounted product in the 2025 Black Friday sales. The battery is offered at €489,99 (was €1.299,99), representing a 60% discount. After using the "BlackFriday8%" battery coupon code only €450.79. This battery delivers 4.019Wh of usable energy and engineered with advanced 200A BMS and EV A+ Grade cells rated for 15.000+ cycles, offering a reliable long-term power solution for diverse applications. WattCycle Marine Solution The European boating season underscores the need for dependable, lightweight power. WattCycle 12V 100Ah TM Blueto
JPMorganChase Announces Intention to Build a New Three-Million Sq Ft Landmark Tower in London27.11.2025 08:00:00 EET | Press release
JPMorganChase is proud to announce its intention to build a new three-million square feet tower in London. This transformative project would enable additional capacity for the firm to grow by creating a world-class workplace for up to 12,000employees, further strengthening London’s position as a global financial hub. The plans are subject to a continuing positive business environment in the UK and the receipt of the necessary approvals and agreements at a national and local level. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126040802/en/ Artist's impression: The view from JPMorganChase's Riverside office Serving as the firm’s principal headquarters in the UK and its most significant presence in EMEA, the building would be situated on the Riverside development in Canary Wharf. The plans will provide employees and clients with a first-class working environment against a backdrop of uninterrupted views across the River Th
Vietnam’s C4IR and Ant International Partner to Accelerate Innovation as Ho Chi Minh City Eyes Becoming International Financial Centre27.11.2025 05:46:00 EET | Press release
The Vietnam Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Vietnam), established by the World Economic Forum and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, and Ant International today announced a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Vietnam’s digital economy, foster innovation, and support Ho Chi Minh City’s (HCMC) ambition to become an international financial centre and regional fintech hub. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126280083/en/ The partnership was announced at the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum 2025, officiated by Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc. As Vietnam emerges as one of Asia’s most dynamic engines of trade, travel, and inclusive digital finance, the collaboration between C4IR Vietnam and Ant International aims to accelerate the country’s Fourth Industrial Revolution ag
LambdaTest and SVAM International Inc. Announce Partnership to Transform Quality Engineering for Businesses26.11.2025 19:00:00 EET | Press release
LambdaTest, a Gen-AI native quality engineering platform, announced a partnership with SVAM International, Inc., a global leader in digital transformation services. This strategic alliance marks a significant step forward in their mission to transform quality engineering for businesses worldwide. The partnership allows LambdaTest to extend its AI-native quality engineering capabilities into SVAM’s extensive digital transformation ecosystem. By integrating with SVAM’s experience in large-scale application development, testing, and delivery across major New York State and City agencies, as well as their platform expertise across Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Dynamics365, LambdaTest will empower more enterprises to modernize their software delivery pipelines. With LambdaTest’s intelligent test orchestration and execution engine at the core, teams can test smarter, accelerate release cycles, and achieve faster time-to-market at scale. Founded in 2017, LambdaTest is headquartered in San Franc
GLORY Acquires Remaining Equity Shares in Acrelec Group26.11.2025 17:11:00 EET | Press release
Glory Global Solutions (International) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GLORY Ltd. [TYO:6457], has announced the acquisition of the remaining equity shares in Acrelec Group SAS. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251126039437/en/ Acrelec is a global technology company focused on reinventing the customer experience for restaurant and retail brands. Leveraging decades of software, hardware and service expertise, the company develops and integrates new platforms that increase customer engagement, optimize efficiency and improve operations. With over 120,000 installations across more than 70 countries, Acrelec counts many of the world’s best-known restaurant mega-brands among its customers. We announce that Jalel Souissi has left the Acrelec Group following the completion of the recent share acquisition. Jalel Souissi has played a pivotal role in the development and success of Acrelec, serving as Co-Founder and Co-C
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