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    Asia Smart Innovation Awards 2025 Winners Announced Hong ...

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    # Search Results: What opportunities are there for a smart app company to gain recognition across Asia in hong kong?

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### Result 1
Open for Applications - Asia Smart Innovation Awards 2025 (Deadline
https://kto.cuhk.edu.hk/en/news-events/events/others/open-for-applications-asia-smart-innovation-awards-2025-deadline-11-july-2025

# Events
### Open for Applications - Asia Smart Innovation Awards 2025 (Deadline: 11 July 2025)
**Coordinator:**
The Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA), proudly presents The Asia Smart Innovation Awards 2025 (formerly known as the Asia Smart App Awards).
This year marks a significant transformation, expanding its scope to celebrate not only smart apps but also innovative smart solutions across industries such as media, digital art, and entertainment.
The awards unite 17 regional co-organisers from across Asia, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, the Mainland, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan (NEW), the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
This collaborative effort highlights Hong Kong’s pivotal role as a key connector in the region’s tech ecosystem, fostering technological advancement and showcasing transformative innovations.
...
Outstanding contestants will receive qualified comments from a panel of professional assessors during the assessment; and gain invaluable experience through participating in the ASIA.
Every entry gets a fair chance to be awarded with the Asian-wide recognition and extensive regional media exposure.
1. Gain Asia-wide recognition
2. Benefit from advanced mentorship programme (for finalists only) to improve company performance with professional comments
3. Enjoy extensive media exposure
4. Receive a free round-trip economy class air ticket and accommodation in Hong Kong to attend the Asia Smart App Summit cum Awards Presentation Ceremony (for finalists located outside Hong Kong)
5. Join a curated delegation to Shanghai, featuring tech tours at TusStar Innovation Hub and global exposure at China International Import Expo (CIIE), with sponsored flights and accommodation to unlock mainland market opportunities.
(for Hong Kong finalists and merit winners only)
6. Each region will have an opportunity for post-competition consultations, welcoming companies from various areas to explore business development in Hong Kong (for finalists located outside Hong Kong)
7. To be featured in the WTIA’s email newsletter and social media posts; and
8. To be featured on the ASA website for years
...
Project agreement/ event photos) during the application and assessment periods.
...
- Deadline for Submission of Entries– 11 July 2025
...
- Assessment & Adjudication (Final Round): October 2025
- Asia Smart Innovation Summit cum Awards Presentation Ceremony: October 2025
- Hong Kong Delegation to attend Shanghai China International Import Expo: November 2025

### Result 2
Asia Smart App Awards (ASA) 2022/2023
https://www.investhk.gov.hk/en/events/asia-smart-app-awards-asa-20222023/

# Asia Smart App Awards (ASA) 2022/2023
...
## Overview
The Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA), follows the success of the past years, organises the Asia Smart App Awards (ASA) 2022/2023, the 9th edition of the award scheme, with funding support from Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
By uniting 16 co-organisers from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Israel, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Mainland, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, in addition to Hong Kong, the ASA carries this auspicious occasion to further encourage the development of the expanding smart application industry.
Last call!
Asia Smart App Awards (ASA) 2022/2023 is now Open for Applications!
Web App, Hybrid App and Native App, ALL APPs are welcomed!
Special Mention Award on VR/AR – Best Augmented and Virtual Reality App is newly added to ASA this year!
To everyone who is planning to apply for ASA 2022/2023, all you need to do is to follow three simple steps on ASA’s website:
1. Submit your application online
2. Provide a one-minute introductory video about your applying app(s); and
3. Submit a copy of your company’s valid business certificate.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to be recognised!

### Result 3
#startup #talents #apps #asiasmartappawards #smartapps #technology #asa… | GS1 Hong Kong
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gs1-hong-kong_startup-talents-apps-activity-7187015371126706176-LaaE

【📱 Asia Smart App Awards 2024 Now Open for Applications!
】 🏆 Organized by the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA), the Asia Smart App Awards (ASA) enters its 10th edition!
GS1 HK is calling for participation of the Awards as one the supporting organisations: https://bestasiaapp.hk/.
As a leading event in the Asian smart app industry, ASA not only recognizes outstanding and innovative smart apps but also provides a platform for developers across Asia to showcase their talents, network with industry professionals, and learn from each other.
🌟 If you believe your app deserves to be seen by a wider audience, don’t miss this opportunity to shine on the international stage!
✨Benefits of Participating in ASA: 👨🏻💼 Gain recognition from industry experts and boost your personal or team profile 🌏 Network and learn from top developers across Asia 🔥 Showcase your app on a global platform 🛫 Be subsidized for a visit to Hong Kong if you enter the found round Whether you've developed a web app, hybrid app, or native app, ALL APPS are welcome!
📄Apply online now for ASA 2024 in 3 simple steps: 1️⃣ Submit your application through online system; 2️⃣ Provide a one-minute introductory video about your app(one for each app); and 3️⃣ Upload a copy of your company’s valid Certificate of Incorporation to the online application system 🤳🏻 Apply Now: https://bestasiaapp.hk/ ⚠️Deadline: April 30, 2024, 11:59 PM (GMT+8) GS1 HK is the supporting organisation of the event.

### Result 4
Pursuing Your Entrepreneurial Ambitions in Hong Kong
https://www.hkengage.gov.hk/en/essentials/career-business/pursuing-your-entrepreneurial-ambitions-in-hong-kong

# Pursuing Your Entrepreneurial Ambitions in Hong Kong
** Hong Kong has always been an entrepreneur’s haven, facilitated by a strongly ingrained startup culture, business-friendly policies and supporting measures.
...
Quick to gain traction in emerging technologies, the Hong Kong government has been stepping up in 8 major areas: increasing resources for R&D, pooling together technology talent, providing investment funding, providing technological research infrastructure, reviewing existing legislations and regulations, opening up government data, enhancing procurement arrangements, and strengthening popular science education.
The results are significant: These initiatives not only expedite the development of digital economy, but also transform Hong Kong as the hub for AI, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), green technology and FinTech startups in recent years.
Additionally, along with the rising global demand in new technologies and revolutionary business models, where e-commerce, supply chain management, logistics, information/computer technology, and education/learning startups are prospering closely behind the leading sectors in Hong Kong, traditional enterprises are also undertaking digital transformation.
Aside from the outward-looking ecosystem, businesses in Innovation & Technology industry operating in Hong Kong can also look inward and benefit from local opportunities and government-led digital transformation incentives, while contributing to the digital economy and the development of the smart city vision at the same time.
...
The startup community in Hong Kong is more than just physical coworking spaces and online forums, and Hong Kong has an enormous community thriving on a vibrant ecosystem enabled by infrastructure.
Ambitious and young entrepreneurs like you can network, exchange ideas, or even seek mentorship with little resistance, largely owing to close physical proximity of talents in the city’s key technology and Research &Development (R&D) hubs.
This includes** Cyberport, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation** and the upcoming **Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park**.
Each innovation & technology hub has its own specialties and advantages when it comes to setting up your first business base in the region — let’s take a look:
...
|Cyberport|One of the region's largest business parks and Hong Kong’s digital tech hub, that is home to one incubate-turned listed company and eight unicorn companies, including Animoca Brands, KLOOK and WeLab, amongst over 2,000 tech startups and companies specialising in AI and Data Science, Web3.0, Blockchain, FinTech, SmartLiving/Smart City, Digital Entertainment and more.|- Serial entrepreneurial programmes with funding of up to HK$1.1million and two years’ free working space to support startups in different developmental stages, especially Cyberport Incubation Programme and Cyberport Creative Micro Fund for early startups or innovators.
- Extensive networks of over 350 partnering entities connect startups to highly sought-after business opportunities and venture capital, privileged access to forefront technologies and professional services for scale-up and expansion into overseas and GBA markets - Smart-Space: One of the largest co-working spaces modernly equipped with state-of-art facilities and technology infrastructure for tech startups|
|Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)|Major business park comprising Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long,to support the R&D efforts of over 2,400 innovation & technology companies from 25 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.|- Ideation, Incubation, Acceleration and Elite startup programmes: Cater to startups across different technology development phases - Institute for Translational Research for biomedical innovations: Collaborate with over 1,000 partners in government, academia, investment stakeholders who are leading transformations in healthcare today.|
|Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP)|A massive business park infrastructure project aiming to provide extensive open spaces that connect technology innovation with the regional ecology and natural habitat.|- Opportunity for cross-border collaborations and knowledge exchange with institutions and startups in the Mainland|
Operating with the full support from the government and established enterprises, these business parks boast a proven track record of launching startups from the ground up to international stardom.
Cyberport alone has incubated and supported a sensational portfolio of highly successful local startups, including a home-grown listed company and the first app-based logistics platform in Asia, and 8 unicorns in crypto, e-payment, finance retail, travel and Web3 industry.
In particular, high-potential startups have also had a history of making their way to Cyberport for further development in recent years, as demonstrated by a virtual bank for example, a virtual bank that has broken through to the mainstream public with online banking and financial services, and has since earned government licenses to run virtual banking and virtual insurance, and become a leading player in fintech and online insurance.
...
The abundance of angel investors and private venture funds aside, a catalogue of government-backed investment funds is readily available for budding startups to make their first steps, and for mid-transition companies to accelerate to the next stage.
Cyberport’s investment arm, Cyberport Macro Fund with an investment fund of HK$ 400 million (US$ 52 million) and Cyberport Investors Network of over 210 global investors are ready to hand to drive co-investments for startups and enhance their dealmaking capabilities through targeted investment matching, coupled with the annual Cyberport Venture Capital Forum to gather venture capitalists and entrepreneurs from home and abroad to explore investment collaborations.
The HKSTP Venture Fund, for another example, is a highly efficient combination of HKSTP resources and private sector investor funds — HKSTP Ventures would invest in early-to-growth stage startups, while making direct co-investments with private investors into seed-to-Series A stage startups.
For startups still in their inception stage, Cyberport Creative Micro Fund and HKSTP Ideation Programme can be a great option, providing diversified financial, technical and networking support, and even mentorship programmes for young entrepreneurs.
...
On top of direct funding and an array of vital business support, the government has shown immense interest and eagerness in promoting entrepreneurship, the startup culture and technology innovation.
Multiple government-led Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) supporting programs are in place to share invaluable knowledge and resources with entrepreneurs, and help startups gain their footing in Hong Kong:
- Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS), for example, is the government information and advisory centre for SMEs, including startups.
If you’re running, or considering to launch a startup in Hong Kong, SUCCESS is your first stop to look for free business information and practical consultation services;
- Similarly, SME One is a one-stop platform run by HKPC to help local SMEs and startups by providing timely assistance and comprehensive information on market insights, technology transformation and government funding schemes through its InnoPreneur Network, which provides unparalleled sources and expertise to support the technology transformation and commercialisation efforts of SMEs and startups.
- There’s also SME Centre by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), a centralised resource and interactive service hub that provides free consultation support for businesses looking to find a footing in the Hong Kong market.
Whether you’re looking for funding resources or business opportunities, there are ample resources to help you get started with your big plans in hand.
...
As decades of success have demonstrated, Hong Kong infrastructure and policies are extra accommodating to entrepreneurs from around the world, well equipped to be the incubator for your next big idea.

### Result 5
Asia Smart Innovation Awards 2025 Winners Announced Hong ...
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6222873

The Awards aim to recognize outstanding achievements in smart technology and innovative applications across Asia, provide a platform for local and overseas developers to network, promote industry development, assist enterprises in business expansion, and encourage the wider adoption of smart technology and creative solutions throughout Hong Kong and Asia.
**Grand Award Winner: RIFFAI from Thailand**
RIFFAI from Thailand won the Asia Smart Innovation Grand Award 2025 with its project "Shorten Site Search & Selection in Energy Industry with Satellite & AI," which also claimed the Gold Award in the Business and Commercial category.
RIFFAI's platform integrates high-resolution satellite imagery with proprietary neural networks to revolutionize site selection processes in the energy sector.
By analyzing multispectral data to detect land use patterns, climate risks, and energy asset distribution with precision, the technology dramatically reduces the time and cost required for energy infrastructure planning while enabling real-time monitoring and predictive analytics.
...
Hong Kong participants occupied two finalist positions in the Lifestyle and Culture category.
The Silver Award went to
**417 Technology Limited**, a previous Asia Smart App Awards winner, for its project **Wonderland**.
Wonderland transforms STEM education by turning students into active creators through game design and AI-assisted learning.
The platform enables students to design their own digital experiences while developing coding, design thinking, collaboration, and creativity skills.
Wonderland features AI Buddies that provide personalized guidance adapted to individual learning styles, making STEM education accessible and engaging for students from all backgrounds.
...
Since its debut in 2013, the Asia Smart App Awards (predecessor to the current Awards) have received over 1,400 entries from across Asia and have become a highly recognized authority and annual highlight for the regional smart technology sector.
This year, the Awards were officially upgraded and renamed as the "Asia Smart Innovation Awards," expanding its scope beyond mobile applications to include IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, big data, cloud computing, AR/VR, and other emerging smart technologies.
This expansion reflects the diverse development of smart solutions in the region, keeps pace with global trends, and cements Hong Kong's leadership position within Asia's technology ecosystem.
...
Through this platform, Hong Kong developers compete alongside the world's top teams, not only showcasing exceptional creativity and capabilities but also further cementing Hong Kong's leadership as an international innovation and technology hub.
With the rise of artificial intelligence, IoT, and other emerging technologies, we will continue to create more cross-regional collaboration opportunities for the industry and drive Hong Kong's development as Asia's smart innovation nexus."
The Asia Smart Innovation Awards 2025 featured three award categories:
**Public Sector and Social Innovation**, **Business and Commercial**, and **Lifestyle and Culture**.
Among the nine finalists, three were from Hong Kong, with the remainder from Israel, Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Bangladesh, competing for Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards in each category.
The Grand Award winner was selected from among the Gold Award recipients across all three categories.
Additionally, this year's awards introduced two special mention categories—the Special Mention Award for Best Startup and the Special Mention Award for Best User Experience—open to teams from Hong Kong and other participating Asian countries or regions.
The "Best Startup" award was won by SMART IGNITE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED for its CenWatch, while the "Best User Experience" award went to Mocart, developed by an Israeli enterprise.
...
The Asia Smart Innovation Awards have long been a milestone for Hong Kong's innovation and technology sector.
To date, Hong Kong participants have won over 130 awards, including Grand, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit Awards, demonstrating the city's innovative prowess.
The widespread adoption of app stores and technology platforms has significantly encouraged young creative talents to join the industry, providing opportunities for the new generation of developers to innovate and compete on a global stage.
The Awards aim to drive creativity in application design and development, foster cross-sector and cross-regional collaboration, and accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions.
...
WTIA remains committed to enhancing the reach of these awards across Asia, bolstering the development of the local smart innovation industry, and facilitating local smart technology talent in business expansion.
The awards have drawn participants from an increasing number of Asian countries and regions, including Hong Kong, China, Chinese mainland, Taiwan, China, Israel, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India, Cambodia, and Bangladesh, providing an excellent platform for exchange within Asia's innovation and technology sector.

### Result 6
Start-ups | Brand Hong Kong - Asia's World City
https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/en/doing-business/start-ups

Looking for investment opportunities?
As a leading international financial centre, Hong Kong is a meeting place for investors and entrepreneurs to connect and do deals.
Hong Kong is a leading Asian hub for asset management, banking, insurance and fund-raising.
...
## Start-up Ecosystem
Hong Kong’s business-friendly environment and free and open economy make it an ideal testing ground for companies to explore new opportunities and scale up for a regional or global marketplace.
- StartmeupHK provides information about the start-up ecosystem, hosts networking and pitching events and fosters a positive entrepreneurial environment.
- Supported by various public and private initiatives, there is a growing network of incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces across the city.
- The number of start-ups in Hong Kong reached a record high of 5,221 in 2025, highlighting Hong Kong's favourable environment for companies to set up or expand their business.
...
## Success Stories
Hong Kong’s attractive lifestyle, global outlook and strategic location has attracted a diverse range of international companies to establish a base here.
- Swiss-based multinational technology company Logitech expands Hong Kong operations, establishing AI-powered and green office showcase.
- Mainland professional AI technology product and service enterprise PCI Technology Group Co.
Ltd.
(PCITECH) opens R&D centre in Hong Kong as regional headquarters.
- Leading Mainland smart electric vehicle brand Li Auto establishes overseas headquarters in Hong Kong to enhance research and development, intellectual property, and supply chain hub functions.
- Middle Eastern jewellery brand Amaar Jewels opens new Hong Kong store to further expand its presence in Asia.
- Korean premium hair brand LEEKAJA arrives in Central, establishing Hong Kong regional headquarters for Asian expansion.

### Result 7
Smarter Digital City 2.0
https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/google_smarter_digital_city_2_whitepaper.pdf

Hong Kong appears well positioned to be a future 
digital leader due to its diverse talent pool, 
geographical location within the Greater Bay Area, 
and open internet infrastructure.
...
infrastructure largely meets expectations, especially when it comes to Internet provision, consumers and corporates both consider there to be major gaps in R&D, technology hubs, app development, and tech talent.
...
Like ‘Smart City’, the Greater Bay Area Initiative, which aims to link 
Hong Kong and several Chinese cities including Guangzhou, 
Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macau to form an integrated economic hub, also offers a potential rallying cry and catalyst for innovation.
...
Top 6 Attributes Associated with “Smart City”
Consumers’ POV
Fast and reliable internet
Possess hubs for technology businesses
Strong Research and Development
Strong technological talent development
Strong app development
Cashless society
Associated with
“Smart City”
Strength
of HK
39%
30%
30%
26%
24%
24%
40%
19%
9%
14%
14%
7%
Corporates’ POV
Cashless society
Strong technological talent development
Fast and reliable internet
Technological innovation in Retail and e-commerce
Possess hubs for technology businesses
Strong Research and Development
Associated with
“Smart City”
Strength
...
Improved cyber-security
App development
Big data / data analytics
Augmented reality / virtual reality
Cloud computing
...
The Greater Bay Area Initiative
“The Greater Bay [Area] is a vision.
It expands the market opportunity beyond Hong Kong and positions
our nearby cities clearly, focusing on their strengths.
It makes this region stronger.
It will help Hong Kong and the region as a whole, in terms of business opportunities, talent availability, and exchange.”
Janis Tam, Swire Resources Limited
...
Although relatively slow and siloed, clear progress is being made to facilitate Smarter Retail in Hong Kong.
For instance, Circle K is now using artificial intelligence for product recognition, making self-checkout easier and reducing the time customers spend queuing.
...
Building the foundation
To entice Hong Kong consumers, SMBs must be present where their customers are (offline and online).
Boasting a digital presence - simply having a website or an app that is easily located through search - is key before discussing the utilisation of more advanced technologies.
As more and more corporates and SMBs successfully build their online presence, a more thorough and complete retail ecosystem will follow.
...
As in other sectors, Hong Kong’s internationalism is a core strength - collaborating with partners across the Greater Bay Area and beyond offers the potential for smart healthcare to compete with finance or tourism as a key growth driver.
...
Reflecting on this year’s research findings, here we offer recommendations for policymakers, corporates, and SMBs to help progress Hong Kong toward becoming a Smarter Digital City through three pillars: (1)
“Economy” boosted by technology adoption and open platforms; (2) 
“Ecosystem” powered by technology; and (3) “Education” in nurturing 
the next generation of talent.
...
Policymakers should maintain a free and open internet while incubating innovation by actively supporting entrepreneurs, corporates and startups looking to implement new technology and solutions that readily benefit the public.
The maintenance and expansion of infrastructure, with particular attention to a free and open internet, should be seen as a foundation for a Smart City, including the city’s desire to be an international data hub.
...
Investing in deriving data-led insights into consumer needs and behaviours is critical for corporates to grow revenues and expand their offerings.
With readily available technology, corporates have a tremendous opportunity to leverage data and derive insights that can guide the way forward for their business.
In order to build a database, corporates must first address security concerns expressed by consumers by investing in data protection to assure the safety of data they are entrusted with.
This customer-centric approach enables corporates to identify the best methodologies in which to conduct their business and deliver what their customer needs.
...
Before a customer sets foot in-store, a corporate digital presence and online service tools like chatbots and customer reviews can help define their expectations and provide them with the necessary information needed to make an informed and quick purchase.
The efficiency and time-saving gained from a smart and clear online offering can also help lessen the burden on in-store staff, thus improving the in-store experience for everyone.
3.  Delivering and Evaluating Digital Transformation
...
Investing in technology and encouraging digital interaction can help companies to better connect online and offline, creating a seamless experience for their customers.
...
A basic digital presence is a must to ensure a business can easily be found by key audiences, from customers to potential collaborators.
Registering the business location on digital maps, creating a mobile-friendly websites or apps, and informing business decisions with data analytics.

### Result 8
Empowering digital entrepreneurship | Initiative
https://forhongkong.withgoogle.com/intl/en/fostering-digital-entrepreneurship/

In a fast-evolving digital economy, Hong Kong’s talent needs to keep innovating
with the latest technology and resources to succeed on the global stage.
Google
has been supporting developers and entrepreneurs with digital marketing insights,
tools, and mentorship to help expand their skills and reach new markets.
Google also continues to provide video creators with top-notch production facilities while connecting them to a supportive community of like-minded digital talent.
...
With a fast-growing pool of independent talented game developers in Hong Kong, Google is committed to them grow.
The Google Play store provides a platform to showcase apps made by local developers while featuring the latest and most innovative apps to a global audience.
Google also works closely with Hong Kong’s game developers, providing training and tools to help them compete in a digital world.
...
Slowly, an app designed by Hong Kong developers Kevin Wong and JoJo Chan won the Google Play Award 2019 - “Best Breakthrough App” during Google I/O 2019—a first nomination and win for Hong Kong.
...
With Google Play’s support and strategic consumer insights, Skytree went global with the musical game ‘Hachi Hachi’ on the Google Play Store which was downloaded over 20 more times than its previous launches, while the recent launch of ‘Trillionia’ also won the HK ICT Awards 2019: Digital Entertainment Award.
...
To fuel Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial spirit, Google stays committed to empowering more startups and entrepreneurs through strategic support across consumer insights, marketing opportunities, data analytics, as well as overall guidance and mentorship.
Google also continues to provide video creators with global platform to showcase their creativity, while connecting them to a supportive community of like-minded creators.
...
Klook, a world-leading travel activities and services booking platform originated in Hong Kong, empowers travelers to discover and book over 100,000 offerings in more than 350 destinations around the world.
It provides a seamless way for travelers to explore popular attractions, tours, local transportation, food and beverage, and unique experiences on its website and award-winning app.
Google provided insightful advertising strategies and platform audits to improve the booking experience, expanding its user base globally.
The successful mobile-first platform attracts over 30 million visits monthly, and is consistently one of the most popular Google Play Store apps in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Klook has also raised over US$520 million in funding from world-renowned investors such as Sequoia Capital, Softbank Vision Fund, Matrix Partners, Goldman Sachs, and TCV.
The company is expanding globally to Europe and the US while maintaining its strong momentum in Asia Pacific.
...
SHOPLINE powers online retail for local entrepreneurs and over 120,000 brands across Asia.
Besides helping businesses establish their online shops, the homegrown startup also supports their growth with tailored marketing and advertising features to optimise their reach.
To offer a seamless merchant experience, SHOPLINE integrated its offerings with Google APIs, making it easy to promote inventories, reach relevant consumers, and increase sales globally.
...
The Creator Spotlight Program was also launched to feature up-and-rising YouTube creators to help them reach a more diverse audience.
It aims to accelerate their growth as successful entrepreneurs while encouraging quality content for the community to keep doing what they love.

### Result 9
Smarter Digital City - Rocketing to new heights
https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/smarter_digital_city_rocketing_to_new_heights_2023.pdf

Startups are playing a key role in Hong Kong's digital transformation.
They are developing innovative new products and services that are helping businesses and consumers alike to benefit from digital technologies.
...
●   Corporates and the public sector can help startups adopt advanced technologies by providing startup exclusive 
     Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) subsidies, and application and development infrastructure programmes
●   Startup should explore third-party solutions in infrastructure or application development to overcome 
     cost-related challenges
●   FinTechs should enhance their AI/ML capabilities by working with corporates that can provide better access to data
sources and talents; identifying when to leverage the technology of third-party providers is the key to success
●   Startups need to look beyond the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Southeast Asia when expanding into new markets 
     and start considering emerging opportunities in regions such as the Middle East
...
Pilot testing is a key area to support the 
growth of startups.
While corporates and the 
public sector are receptive to collaboration, 
identifying and securing opportunities 
remain challenging
45
...
It allows for pilot testing of innovative solutions in a safe environment 
FinTech startups can collaborate with banks and other financial institutions to test their solutions, enabling them to access the expertise, resources and customer base of established players in the industry.
...
Peter Yan, CEO, Cyberport
Build use cases: Adopt more technologies by startups as a pioneer, providing a confidence boost to both the public and private sectors.
The organisations can develop and demonstrate use cases of startup technologies, showcasing their potential applications and benefits to potential customers and investors
Marketing: Collectively promoting and marketing use cases that were adopted by public bodies with proven success stories.
This will give confidence to other public bodies to adopt startup technologies.
...
RegTech would allow a wider range of 
applications, such as mobile app 
enhancements, APIs and DLT, to be tested.
...
Web3 and AI are emerging technologies
with numerous applications in the market
Startups are leveraging these emerging technologies to meet increasing demand for digitalisation across various sectors
...
Risk management and fraud detection
Patient electronic health records
Medical imaging and diagnosis
AR/VR store for customer experience 
(omnichannel experience) 
Personalised (product) recommendations 
Supply chain traceability 
Route optimisation
...
69
66
Automation of business operations: Improve operational efficiencies by helping BU’s streamline operations.
Reduces both front-end and back-end costs and workload in areas such as administration, allowing companies to focus on more complex issues
Informed decision-making: AI can help in the analysis of large amounts of data, providing accurate forecasting on how to best target customer segments
Customer-centricity: Generative AI can create hyper-personalised experiences for customers through one-on-one humanised responses and highly relevant recommendations, building greater trust and engagement with customers
AI/ML is the top investment area for startups, with applications in multiple areas
...
68
Leveraging AI technology in operations and in the solution
CASE STUDY
SleekFlow is an omni-channel platform that helps companies and users manage communication channels.
It is using AI to improve customer experience, the efficiency of sales and marketing and to streamline its operations – all in a cost-effective manner
…
...
To sustain growth, startups should leverage 
Hong Kong’s position as a springboard into 
new markets
75
76
In addition to being a good testing ground, Hong Kong has a unique positioning as a connector to the GBA and SEA
>51%of respondents have used Hong Kong as a springboard to expand 
into new markets, particularly the GBA and SEA
Source: (1)  Google's 'Smarter Digital City' survey of Hong Kong's startup ecosystem / Question: In which markets is your company currently operating in?
(Select all that apply)
Base: n = 258 Hong Kong startup founders and executives
Hong Kong is a unique gateway to and from the Mainland 
China market:
▪Hong Kong is part of the Greater Bay Area, providing foreign 
startups with a gateway to a market with a GDP of US$ 1.7tn
• Hong Kong's integration with international markets also
enables advanced Chinese startups to access global markets and resources
Hong Kong also has strong established relationships with SEA countries (more than 30% of HK startups has expanded into SEA)
% of startups that has expanded into the market 
% of startups that plans to expand into the market, including those 
that want to expand their existing presence in that market
21%
21%
7%
14%
12%
Greater Bay Area 
(excluding HK,  ▲ 29%)
10%
Europe & Middle East
( ▲ 16%)
Southeast Asia
( ▲ 28%)
Other Asia Pacific
( ▲ 19%)
12%
Other cities in China 
(▲ 22%)
East Asia
(▲ 25%)
Americas
(▲ 15%)
Hong Kong has a role to connect China with 
the rest of the world and the rest of the world with China.
Albert Wong, CEO, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks 
International capital in Hong Kong makes it 
a good market to test models that could be 
scaled in Southeast Asia and China.
David Chang, Partner, MindWorks Capital
...
As long as you have an office in Singapore, people respect you as a large SEA company.
Henson Tsai, Founder & CEO, SleekFlow
HQ
...
Singapore
GBA
HK
SEA
South America
Brazil
3
2
1
4
5
...
GBA
HK
2
3
1
Key takeaways
Setting up a regional headquarter enhances the understanding of local markets
Establish local sales and marketing presences to penetrate the market and outsource the development process to reduce costs
78
Difficulty in sourcing partnerships and understanding market landscape are among challenges when entering new markets
Source: (1)  Google's 'Smarter Digital City' survey of Hong Kong's startup ecosystem / Question: What are the biggest cross-border challenges for your startup to operate outside of Hong Kong ?

### Result 10
[PDF] LAUNCHPAD TO THE FUTURE - InvestHK
https://www.investhk.gov.hk/media/mibdnels/202402-investhk_ai-big-data_en.pdf

For AI and big data companies and their partners, the future is bright.
Thriving as Part of Hong Kong’s 
AI and Big Data Revolution
On the Cusp of Explosive Growth
As one of the world’s most digitalised economies and an international hub of innovation and technology, Hong
Kong is an emerging epicentre of the global AI and big data industry.
The city is well positioned for explosive growth as a business-friendly economy with outstanding research and commercialisation capabilities, a well-educated and diverse talent pool, and world-leading digital infrastructure.
Hong Kong’s unrivalled access to Mainland 
China’s manufacturing heartland and its status within the
booming Greater Bay Area (GBA) further make it the  
ideal launchpad for AI and big data businesses building the future.
...
Hong Kong is a vibrant city with a large pool of skilled  
multi-lingual professionals that bring broad perspectives.
Digital Infrastructure
With outstanding infrastructure and digital readiness,
Hong Kong presents huge local demand for AI and big  
data analytics and is a launchpad to the GBA.
R&D Strength
Home to world-class universities and labs, Hong Kong  
is a focus of international research collaboration.
Business Environment
Ideal for high-tech businesses, Hong Kong is one of the  
world’s freest economies, with a sound legal system, simple tax regime, and strong IP rights protection.
...
 ▪47 percent increase in AI /ML use by 2025
Outlook
Global and local companies are propelling the development of smart logistics powered by AI and robotics technologies, with ubiquitous 5G coverage offering opportunities for new and improved solutions to the sector with its low latency and high speed.
...
Local shopping malls, retailers, and hotels are increasingly looking for AI- and big data-driven solutions to gain a competitive edge.
▪Growing use of e-commerce and mobile technology will 
further drive AI adoption in retail and hospitality
▪Increasing focus on sustainability and environmental 
protection will see AI used to optimise operations and reduce carbon footprint
Manufacturing
Retail and Hospitality
...
“Hong Kong has a simple tax system, 
a robust legal system, and a world-
class business environment.
Its people’s skills, work ethic, can-do spirit, and
regional knowledge further make 
this an appealing place for overseas 
companies to set up operations and 
expand into Mainland China.
We 
suggest newcomers take the time to
learn how to do business in Mainland 
China and leverage major plans like 
Belt and Road and Greater Bay Area.”
Specialising in speech recognition and 
analytics, Fano Labs was spun off from 
the University of Hong Kong (HKU) in 
2015 and funded by the government-
backed HKU Technology Startup Support
Scheme.
The company joined the HKSTP 
incubation programme and received 
support from InvestHK to expand to the 
GBA and beyond.
Fano Labs solutions 
are now widely used, particularly in 
financial services, helping enterprises 
to analyse customer service recordings 
to extract business insights and ensure 
compliance.
“Hong Kong’s biggest advantage is its 
unique role as a gateway: both to the 
GBA and Greater China market and, 
for Chinese companies, from these 
markets to the world.
But beyond 
proximity and relationships, we also 
have strong capital markets to support 
overseas expansion.
Hong Kong is a
rising market and well-positioned to 
become a leading AI and big data hub 
in the region.”
Financial and infrastructure 
support from the Hong Kong 
SAR Government and HKSTP 
helped us quickly gain a 
firm foothold in the market 
and is proving crucial to our 
continued expansion.
...
Hong Kong’s status as an 
international financial 
centre and a smart city is 
triggering new demand for 
AI and big data solutions
across industries and on 
varied technologies.
This will 
only grow as sustainability, 
Web 3.0, and Trustworthy AI 
initiatives gather pace.
...
Making Hong Kong its headquarters 
and R&D base, Neuron Digital Group 
is building a full stack open digital 
platform for next-generation smart 
buildings that unlocks the potential 
of AI and big data for smart and 
sustainable buildings.
...
Enterprises in  
Hong Kong and the GBA 
are very open to using AI
and analytics to improve 
their offerings and business 
efficiency, and solutions 
proven here are likely to find 
a ready market across the 
rest of Mainland China.
...
Launchpad to the Future
Hong Kong is fast becoming an epicentre of the global AI and big data industry.
With a cluster of AI enterprises, startups, and unicorns powered by a rich talent pool and world-class digital and business infrastructure, it is an ideal location for
AI research and commercialisation.
It presents outstanding opportunities in its highly digitalised financial services, trade and logistics, and retail and hospitality industries, and through its unique access to Mainland China’s manufacturing and biotechnology sectors and the Greater Bay Area.
Hong Kong is an ideal launchpad for Mainland AI and big data enterprises looking for international success and for overseas enterprises eyeing the booming Chinese market.

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