Hong Kong’s vibrant innovation and technology sector has demonstrated its competitive edge at VivaTech in Paris – one of the world’s premier tech showcase events – while forging valuable connections and exploring a host of promising opportunities.
24 local innovation and technology enterprises and institutions took part in the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, jointly organised by seven organisations: the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Productivity Council, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Cyberport.
Held every June, VivaTech is one of the most important events in the global tech fair calendar and this year attracted over 15,000 global start-ups and 200,000 visitors from over 165 countries and regions.
During the event, the HKTDC hosted a series of seminars, start-up pitching sessions, and networking events to foster meaningful discussions between investors and start-ups. A highlight was a seminar headlined by the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic & Trade Affairs to the European Union Shirley Yung, who outlined the strengths of Hong Kong’s tech ecosystem.
Delegation member Formwork IO was selected by the event organisers as a Top 30 finalist in the ‘Tech for Change’ Award for its carbon-negative construction material solution. In addition, Hong Kong companies PointFit Technology and Robocore Technology were invited to give live demonstrations of their innovative health monitoring and service robotics solutions, respectively, to buyers and investors from around the world.
A participant in previous delegations to tech fairs in Europe, North America and the Middle East, Robocore reported that it was in discussion with global outdoor advertising agency JCDecaux to provide a thousand robots for marketing campaigns, building upon a partnership announced in Dubai last year. The company first connected with JCDecaux at the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech last year.
In addition, LeafIoT Technology signed an agreement with the Lecco Campus of Politecnico di Milano to jointly develop its smart tree monitoring solution and pursue new markets.
Summing up the achievements of this year’s delegation, HKTDC Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia & Israel Chris Lo said: “The HKTDC has been helping local start-ups build networks and increase their exposure in international markets, creating collaboration opportunities and supporting their expansion into global markets, thereby injecting momentum into Hong Kong's innovation and technology development."
This marked the third overseas delegation organised by the HKTDC to major international technology showcases this year, following its largest-ever tech delegation to CES Las Vegas in January and the promotion of 20 companies and organisations at MWC Barcelona in March.
The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion is part of Economic and Trade Express, a government initiative that helps SMEs and start-ups explore overseas market opportunities, while attracting more companies to establish operations in Hong Kong. Alongside the pavilion, the Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, HKTDC and InvestHK jointly organised a series of promotional and networking events to provide targeted support for Hong Kong tech start-ups exploring the local market, including pitching sessions, thematic seminars and networking activities.