Two major events dedicated to strengthening innovation and technology commercialisation will be held in Hong Kong early next month, gathering entrepreneurs, investors, professionals and policymakers from around the world.
The Business of IP Asia Forum, co-organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held concurrently with HKTDC’s anchor start-up event, Entrepreneur Day (E-Day), at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on 4-5 December.
“The two events create strong synergy – from supporting start-ups to facilitating the commercialisation of IP – helping translate innovation into real-world applications,” noted Patrick Lau, HKTDC’s Deputy Executive Director.
This year’s BIP Asia Forum is themed ‘Leverage IP to Finance Business Growth’, reflecting how enterprises are using intellectual property as a strategic asset to help them scale up and expand.
Industry experts will share insights from multiple perspectives, including market developments, policy support, valuation practices and cross-sector collaboration, as well as strategies to integrate IP financing into the broader financial ecosystem.
Other sessions will examine trends and developments in a wide variety of areas, including sustainability, data licensing, brand transformation, cross-border technology transfers and much more.
John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, and Li Shengjun, Deputy Head of the Patent Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, will also deliver keynote remarks.
Start-up showcase
This year’s E-Day will present more than 350 start-ups, innovation projects and support organisations.
An Innovation Hong Kong Pavilion, set up the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Digital Policy Office, will feature 30 award-winning projects from the Hong Kong ICT Awards, while another pavilion, hosted by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, will feature over 40 start-ups showcasing youth entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The annual Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions, co-organised by the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association and Swiss exhibition centre Palexpo, is returning, featuring more than 130 projects from across Asia. Nine universities in Hong Kong will also exhibit their latest research outcomes and start-up ventures.
Seminars at E-Day will explore key topics such as AI, green energy, deeptech, sustainable fashion and youth entrepreneurship.
Winners from Start-up Express International – the international edition of the HKTDC’s long-standing Start-up Express support programme – will also share their entrepreneurial journeys at a special session.
In addition, DesignInspire, an annual creative showcase organised by the HKTDC, will be held at the HKCEC on 3-6 December, bringing together renowned designers from around the world to foster more cross-sector insights and business opportunities.