In celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition, the HKUST Entrepreneurship Center proudly facilitated the International Student Track, attracting 89 applications from 22 countries and regions across five continents. This global participation underscores the universal drive for innovation and the competition’s role as a premier platform for emerging entrepreneurial talent.

On the eve of the grand finals, five distinguished finalist teams from the United Kingdom, United States, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, and Singapore participated in a curated Entrepreneurs Exploration Tour of Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem. The itinerary commenced at HKUST, where the teams visited The BASE, our flagship co-working and incubation facility. Professor Carrie Hang-yin Ling, Director of the HKUST Entrepreneurship Center, delivered an overview of our comprehensive support framework, encompassing mentorship, seed funding, and community engagement. The group also toured the ISD Works! Lab, observing advanced prototyping capabilities in action. A working dim sum luncheon followed, featuring insights from Dr. Shin Cheul Kim and the Entrepreneurship Center team, alongside contributions from HKUST-affiliated founders, fostering substantive dialogue and international networking.

The afternoon session shifted to the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP) Experience Centre and Green Lab, where Howard Lee and Sharon Fong (MBA, CESGA®) presented cutting-edge advancements in sustainable technology. The tour exemplified Hong Kong’s position as a dynamic hub for technological innovation and cross-border collaboration. We extend our appreciation to all participants and partners for contributing to a day of meaningful exchange and mutual inspiration.