The 2018 HKUST One Million Dollar International Entrepreneurship Competition Grand Final was held in Nansha, Guangzhou, on Monday, 8th October 2018.

Initiated by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology since 2011, the competition aims at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship and it has been expanded to Mainland China since 2016.

This year’s competition attracted 934 startup teams/companies from seven cities, including Hong Kong, Macao, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhongshan and Foshan, competing in the regional competition. A wide range of areas were included such as AI, big data, biomedicine, advanced manufacturing and Internet of Things (IoT). Eventually 35 brilliant teams have come together in Nansha for the Grand Final to further compete and to engage with invited VCs and angels.

2018 HKUST One Million Dollar International Entrepreneurship Competition Grand Final Judges

Startup teams/companies competed for awards in a total of 3.08 million dollars. “Red Bird Cup” was one of the highlights of the Grand Final. The 10 most popular teams received an additional 3 minutes of pitching opportunity to win up to 50 thousand dollars.

I-Square Technology (left), the Third Prize winner of the Grand Final

Hercules, Founder of Void, Third Prize winner of Red Bird Cup

Eventually, 5 teams from Hong Kong Region won seven awards, including the Third Prize, the Outstanding Prize, the Outstanding Team Prize, the Student Team Prize and a third prize in Red Bird Cup.