The InnoClub Awards, now in its second year, has saluted three more ground-breaking start-ups from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Green biotech firm Zence Object Technology took home the InnoClub GBA Innovator Award. Smart catering solutions provider Wada Foodtech received the InnoClub Industry Impact Award. Digital marketing specialist GoGo Chart won the InnoClub Rising Star Award.
The awards ceremony was held during last week’s Entrepreneur Day, the annual start-up showcase organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
The HKTDC runs InnoClub – a community-based platform supporting start-ups and SMEs in the GBA – in collaboration with Hang Seng Bank.
The two organisations set up the InnoClub Awards last year to recognise exceptional achievements by InnoClub members.
Zence Object Technology, which was founded in 2020, converts organic waste into commercially viable biodegradable materials such as paper, boards and plastics. These can be used for consumer product packaging and in construction.
The start-up, which initially focused on tea leaves, is expanding the range of waste it can work with and has almost finished building its own R&D and production facility.
The company moved into mass production last year.
Founder and CEO Calvin Sio said: “We hope that with InnoClub’s continued support, we can broaden our reach within the GBA and expand to other regions, meeting global sustainability needs.”
Wada FoodTech helps optimise food management across the catering supply chain, from central processing and warehousing to end-point retail.
The start-up’s digitised approach, leveraging patented Artificial Intelligence Of Things technology, promises to strengthen food safety controls while boosting efficiency.
The company is currently focusing on Australia, Hong Kong and Japan.
Founder and CEO Jason Chen said: “We have launched a subscription-based catering service platform that only charges platform fees, empowering businesses to expand. Thanks to InnoClub’s support we plan to pursue other markets overseas.”
GoGo Chart, which was founded in 2016, has provided mobile and digital marketing solutions to over 2,000 mobile apps and brands across more than 60 countries and regions.
The company has developed its own campaign management platform and software as a service offerings, providing comprehensive solutions that allow clients to self-select services and reduce promotional costs.
The start-up’s clients mainly come from four sectors: finance, consumer brands, e-commerce and gaming.
Founder and CEO Daniel Lo said: “In addition to actively assisting Hong Kong SMEs with their digital transformation, we intend to leverage the advantages of the GBA to expand globally, connecting with more potential clients through the extensive member and client networks of InnoClub and Hang Seng Bank.”
InnoClub now has some 1,400 corporate members after being established in 2021.
Aside from business matching, InnoClub also organises gatherings, seminars and GBA delegations to facilitate the exchange of ideas and collaboration among its members.