City University of Hong Kong has launched the first-ever HK Tech 300 Southeast Asia Start-up Competition (HK Tech 300 SEA Competition) in Kuala Lumpur.
The competition is part of the university’s flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme, HK Tech 300, which has a total commitment of up to HK$600 million (about MYR 340 million).
The HK Tech 300 SEA Competition is being held in partnership with universities and incubators in the region, including Universiti Malaya and Universiti Putra Malaysia from Malaysia, Universiti Brunei Darussalam from Brunei Darussalam, and Chulalongkorn University from Thailand, among others.
The competition aims to foster start-ups and innovation and technology development in Southeast Asia.
The top 10 winners will each be awarded Angel Fund investment of up to HK$1 million (about MYR 565,000), providing a significant boost for their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Datuk Seri Khaled Mohamed Nordin, Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia, welcomed the launch of the regional edition of HK Tech 300 in Malaysia, stating that a thriving small and medium enterprise (SME) and start-up ecosystem is essential for sustainable digital development.
Since its launch in March 2021, the HK Tech 300 programme has made significant strides towards its goal of creating 300 start-ups within three years.
With a total allocation of HK$500 million in 2021, the programme is a strategic move to translate City University of Hong Kong’s groundbreaking research results and intellectual property into practical applications, while simultaneously providing valuable opportunities for young talent and aspiring entrepreneurs to grow and learn.
To further support the programme, the university added an additional HK$100 million (about MYR 56.5 million) this year.
City University of Hong Kong has expanded the HK Tech 300 initiative to Southeast Asia, with Malaysia chosen as the location for the launch of the inaugural HK Tech 300 SEA Competition.
The expansion aims to promote technology transfer and commercialization in the region, showcasing the university’s commitment to support Southeast Asian start-ups in expanding their business to Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the whole region, leveraging the unique advantages and resources available in Hong Kong.
The competition presents a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs in the region to gain exposure and secure funding for their projects, and will help translate City University of Hong Kong’s outstanding research into applications that can have a transformative impact on the entrepreneurship landscape in Southeast Asia. – BusinessNewsAsia.com