Hong Kong has a thriving start-up ecosystem with entrepreneurs innovating in a wide spectrum of sectors, including medicine, F&B and biotechnology.
InnoClub, a platform co-created by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Hang Seng Bank for start-ups and SMEs in Hong Kong and the wider Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), honoured three entrepreneurs in these sectors at the inaugural InnoClub Awards.
The Awards recognised Hong Kong's leading online medical platform iMeddy, F&B industry game changer DimOrder and fast-growing biotech start-up Decode Cure for their ground-breaking achievements in healthcare, F&B and biotech, respectively, with the awards given on 8 December, the final day of HKTDC’s annual Entrepreneur Day.
Established in 2021, InnoClub boosts the digital transformation and competitiveness of more than 1,000 start-ups while promoting Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovation and technology (I&T) development.
InnoClub organises business-matching, gatherings, seminars and innovation showcases to facilitate idea exchange and collaboration among members. Coinciding with the platform’s second anniversary, the Awards recognise InnoClub members’ achievements.
Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “The HKTDC provides comprehensive year-round support to SMEs and start-ups, helping them transform and grow and seize arising opportunities. InnoClub recognises the tremendous advances Hong Kong has been making in I&T and contributes to the sector’s continued growth.” Gilbert Lee, Head of Strategy & Planning of Hang Seng Bank, underlined support for entrepreneurs.
“With our long-standing presence in the local market and a strong network in the GBA, Hang Seng Bank is dedicated to supporting the growth of start-ups and SMEs. The award winners exemplify the ways in which InnoClub enables their growth. Together with HKTDC, we aspire to further enhance InnoClub and drive more success stories, similar to those of the award winners.”
InnoClub GBA Innovator Award laureate iMeddy noted the number of Hong Kong residents venturing into the GBA and seized the opportunity to address their medical needs, launching an online hospital in Nansha, Guangzhou, engaging Hong Kong doctors to serve via the online platform.
Stephen Tsoi, Co-Founder and Marketing Director of iMeddy was grateful for InnoClub support. “With InnoClub's sponsorship and network, iMeddy was able to provide online Chinese medicine consultations to assist the elderly through community organisations. In the coming years, we aspire to expand our services in the GBA and extend our reach to Southeast Asia, with the continued support of InnoClub.”
DimOrder received the InnoClub Industry Impact Award , which recognises significant industry contributions hrough their innovations, demonstrating leadership, creativity and expertise. DimOrder has developed a system that covers everything from meal ordering and check-out to restaurant management and ingredient procurement. The AI and big data solutions help restaurants realise business expansion plans.
DimOrder Co-Founder Tim Lee said: “As the F&B industry is indispensable to our daily lives, it is crucial for us to address persistent pain-points that are common among many restaurants, so that the F&B industry can level up collectively.””
The InnoClub Rising Star Award recognises an up-and-coming start-up showing exceptional promise and the makings of a future leader by demonstrating creativity, leadership and a commitment to innovation.
Recipient Decode Cure’s technology rapidly identifies pathogens, using bioinformatic and big data analytics. The biotech firm’s advanced technology detects pathogens causing complex diseases, such as pneumonia and Alzheimer’s, in less than 24 hours. During the pandemic, it contributed to the Hong Kong SAR Governments sewage surveillance programme to cost-effectively monitor variants of the virus.
Decode Cure Founder Dr Bin Ye noted that many InnoClub members included were in the early development stages and believed Decode could use some of the techniques of IT companies in its business.
“As we are pushing our product to the market, we can reach out directly to more potential customers thanks to InnoClub and Hang Seng’s large membership and clientele, which make this a great vehicle and opportunity.”