With its glittering cities, palm-shaped islands and globe-spanning airlines, the United Arab Emirates has been a leading innovator in the Middle East for many years.

The oil-rich Middle Eastern state has become a cryptocurrency hub as part of its efforts to diversify its economy.

UAE takes lead on fintech

Intellectual property (IP) and innovation are joined at the hip and the Business of IP Asia Forum, themed IP & Innovation: Steering New Economic Growth, paired with Entrepreneur Day (E-Day), offered industry players a chance to explore both.

BIP Asia and E-Day show businesses how IP boosts start-up collaboration.

IP powers innovation

Hong Kong’s global trade hub status and cosmopolitan society have given it a well-earned reputation as a foodies’ paradise with restaurants and shops supplying cuisine from every part of the globe.

Hong Kong entrepreneurs use isotope profiles to trace origins of high-end cuisine.

Food forensics fight fraud

The first-ever InnoEX, jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), which is running in conjunction with the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition).

Global technology achievers converge at three tech fairs, unlocking trends and helping enterprises stay ahead of the curve.

Inaugural InnoEX launches

Every one of us is a mobile ecosystem, full of microbes such as bacteria, fungi and protozoa, most of which are beneficial and work to keep their host organism healthy.

A Hong Kong biotech start-up’s solutions rebalancing the microbiomes all of us carry can unlock regenerative superpowers.

Unleashing microbe power

Hong Kong start-up RaSpect specialises in remote building inspections using drones to gather the data and artificial intelligence technology to process it – faster, more accurate, more comprehensive and safer method than traditional manual building inspections.

A Start-up Express laureate speeds up building inspection.

AI spots flaws in floors

Incumbent banks are adopting fintech innovations and seeking to fill their talent pools with innovators, as they embrace this new wave of transformation.

Demand for innovative solutions and need for profitability and regulatory compliance are pushing fintech firms and incumbents together.

Closing the fintech gap

Digitalisation is transforming Hong Kong’s traditional pillar industries – such as finance, trade, professional services and property. At the same time the city is seeking to further diversify its economy and is placing innovation & technology (I&T) front-and-centre in its development plans.

As mainstream industries rapidly digitalise and the world looks to a hi-tech future, the Hong Kong Government sets out a blueprint to plot the city’s I&T course.

Blueprint for innovative future

Israeli start-ups and VCs are usually based around Tel Aviv area, but if you turn your look to the South you might be surprised to find a Maritime Hub in Ashdod.

The innovation solutions of Israel’s maritime start-ups from Ashdod Port were highlighted at ALMAC, with Hong Kong’s port appearing on their radar.

Innovation revolutionises port operations

Like many parents of young children, Australian expatriates Jade Poon and Natalie Chow found their Hong Kong homes were becoming cluttered with toys – many of which their toddlers no longer even played with. Friends since their schooldays and keen to live more sustainably, the pair decided this was wasteful. So in April 2019, Ms Poon, a human resources executive, and Ms Chow, a marketing executive-turned-entrepreneur, came up with the idea to establish Happy Baton, Hong Kong’s first toy rental subscription service.

Worries over wasted resources lead two expats to found a toy library for educational playthings.

Sharing economy in toy room

Seeking a balance between the youthful enthusiasm of start-ups and steady performance of established firms has become a key issue for Hong Kong, as its entrepreneur ecosystem matures.

Entrepreneur Day and Start-up Express help innovators adapt to the post-pandemic era, as the nascent technology community comes of age.

Navigating mature innovation ecosystem

Social-distancing rules led to many nail salons closing during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting two university classmates to step out of their comfort zones and invest a significant sum in starting up a home-based nail art business. The duo design and produce relatively environmentally friendly and easy-to-use nail art stickers that allow even novices to easily decorate their own nails.

A nail wrap designer has reaped rewards from the HKTDC’s T-box programme and has set its sights on regional expansion.

Cosmetics start-up hits sweet spot

In recent decades, Hong Kong has transformed from a manufacturing powerhouse into a trade and services centre. As the city seeks to diversify and re-industrialise, intellectual-property (IP) is bound to grow in importance.

Hybrid BIP Asia Forum looks at Hong Kong’s re-industrialisation drive.

IP key to industrial revival

Antibiotics are critical weapons against bacterial infections, but resistant pathogens have become a severe problem over the past four decades as few new drugs have been developed.

An innovative Hong Kong start-up develops antibiotics effective against drug-resistant pathogens.

Start-up battles resistant bugs

Learn about latest market updates and insights to empower your business.

Customise your news by registering online

Start ups