Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has embarked on its Innovation Mixer US West Coast Tour to establish connections with prestigious universities in the United States. The aim of the tour is to nurture talent and explore potential collaborations in incubation, internship, and talent programs.
During the tour, the HKSTP delegation visited Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley). They held meetings with academic institutions and explored partnerships on talent initiatives, incubation programs, and internship opportunities. The delegation also met with market-leading tech enterprises, venture capital firms, accelerators, and research and development leaders.
The interest in collaborating with HKSTP and expanding to Hong Kong, Asia, and beyond was evident during the tour, as over 40 tech enterprises and more than 250 young entrepreneurs and innovators engaged in discussions about Hong Kong’s growing innovation and technology ecosystem.
Hong Kong’s status as an innovation hub is on the rise. It has climbed to the 9th position in the UN’s Global Frontiers Technology Readiness Index for 2023. Additionally, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen-Guangzhou science and technology cluster is now ranked as the second-best in the world according to the Global Innovation Index. These rankings highlight Hong Kong’s position at the center of a thriving innovation powerhouse in China and Asia.
Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, emphasized the importance of global innovation and Hong Kong’s potential for success in the Asian market. He stated that the talent and technology expertise on the US West Coast are unparalleled, while Hong Kong’s innovation communities are rapidly developing and eager to connect and collaborate with ambitious startups and tech talent.
During the visit to Stanford University, the HKSTP leadership team met with various departments to explore potential partnerships on talent initiatives. They also hosted a career session to showcase exciting innovation and technology career paths in Hong Kong. The delegation introduced internship and graduate opportunities offered by HKSTP to over 50 Stanford students.
To engage with influential alumni and innovative students, a networking session was held with the Business Association of Stanford Entrepreneurial Students (BASES). The session focused on highlighting the career journey and differences in multinational corporations operating in the US, Asia-Pacific, and China. The participants were encouraged to venture into Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem, recognizing the significant potential for global investors and talent through this gateway to China and Asian markets.
Collaborations on talent nurturing with UC Berkeley reached new heights during the tour. The HKSTP delegation met with the University’s Director of International Partnership to explore opportunities for startup partnerships and internship programs. They also visited UC Berkeley’s Mechanical Systems Control Lab, showing immense interest in the funding and support for research and development available in Hong Kong.
In addition to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, the HKSTP delegation also met with global tech leaders such as NVIDIA, Google, and LinkedIn. They engaged in extensive talks with companies in sectors such as life sciences, artificial intelligence, fintech, and cybersecurity, all expressing keen interest in expanding into Asia.
HKSTP collaborated with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) to organize a reception dinner, which attracted tech professionals from leading enterprises, universities, and venture capital firms. The dinner highlighted the investment and resources available in Hong Kong’s thriving innovation and technology sector.
The Innovation Mixer program, launched in 2023, aims to connect with enterprises and talent from around the world to foster the growth of Hong Kong and Asia’s innovation ecosystems. HKSTP showcased its comprehensive support system for technology ventures at all stages of their innovation journey. Previous tours have included visits to Singapore and Malaysia, with the US tour completing in January this year.
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation is dedicated to positioning Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub. It has developed a thriving ecosystem that supports over 10 unicorns and more than 13,000 research professionals and technology companies from 24 countries and regions. The focus is on sectors such as healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech, and smart city technologies.
HKSTP is actively connecting Hong Kong with Shenzhen to strengthen cross-border exchange and attract technology companies and talent from around the world. The recently opened Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch aims to facilitate global expansion and exploration of mainland China and overseas markets.
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation is determined to establish innovation and technology as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong while reinforcing the city’s international status as an innovation hub. The organization envisions a new industrialization for Hong Kong, where sectors like advanced manufacturing, microelectronics, and biotechnology are reimagined for a new generation of industry.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the press release from HKSTP and is not an endorsement or promotion of any company or organization mentioned in the article.
