Pioneering the revolutionary innovation of electric outboard motors requires true visionary thinking. For Danny Tao, the Founder and CEO of ePropulsion, it all began with a leisurely sail to Sai Kung during his time at HKUST. He recalls, "At that time, I found that the boats around me were all using gasoline engines. They were highly polluting, the smell was terrible, and they weren't easy to use - that's why I got this idea. Why hadn't anyone made these boats electric?"

From then on, electrifying these boats became his mission. He reflects on the challenges that he and his friends (now company executives) faced in the beginning, "We had to use a small cart at that time to carry the batteries to the seaside, each weighing 100kg, four in total... Every time was a great physical challenge." Now, with worldwide expansion and a team of over 350 individuals, their commitment to ePropulsion has undoubtedly paid off.

By increasing the travelling range of boats without the need for recharging, ePropulsion's electric outboard motor marks a significant improvement in sailing technology. Looking ahead, Tao further expounds on the unique features of the device, "Inside every motor, there is an intelligent controller. All the information about the boat's speed, position, and power consumption will be stored in the cloud. In the future, it will become a gateway to boat intelligence."

Setting aside the novel technological advancements, the ultimate purpose of the electric motor is to serve the greater good. In the words of the company's founder, "From the ship's perspective, it's not just about addressing climate issues, it's also about tackling pollution problems in addition to adopting a carbon reduction perspective... We want to be a business that upholds multiple social values."

"In fact, neither theory nor practice alone is enough for innovation... The skills of problem-solving are all brought about by the education at HKUST," asserts Danny Tao. As an active member of the HKUST Founders Club, he hopes to repay HKUST for their role in supporting the establishment of ePropulsion. To aspiring innovators, Tao offers, "If the younger generation of entrepreneurs needs suggestions or any help in the future, I believe the members of the Founders Club would be very willing to help, repay, and contribute to the HKUST entrepreneurship family."