Congratulations to the three HKUST Startups having successfully got into the Top 15 in the JUMPSTARTER Global Pitch Competition 2020’s IdeaPOP* (https://www.jumpstarter.hk/en/top-student/15).
The three HKUST startups in the Top 15, composed of UG and PG members from different schools and cities/countries (HKSAR, Taiwan, Korea, French, USA, Germany etc.) are applying innovative solutions and alternatives to address issues and pain-points facing everyone in the society and business communities. These include helping the silver hair community with new job opportunities, adding value to space and facilities through revitalisation, changing user behaviour for eco-friendly consumption of water, revolutionizing business and social communication via electronic means etc.
- MUTO: a next generation of farming
- BLVCK: revolutionize the business card industry
- DRIZZLE: an eco-friendly and convenient alternative to bottled water
"It was really exciting to compete against many other university student startup teams that had all different backgrounds and different stages of their development. Although we did not made to the Final 4, we were still able to achieve TOP 15 list. We won HULT Prize HKUST round prior to this journey to Alibaba Jumpstarter IdeaPOP and HKUST Entrepreneurship Centre has supported us with both financial and non-financial aspects to make progress and build our milestones, which definitely had positive results on these competitions.” Said Junho William LEE (SBM, Year 2), team leader of MUTO.
“From just a casual conversation over dinner with friends, to a start up idea at HULT Prize HKUST, and then to the Final round of Alibaba JMPSTARTER competition. Our team is proud knowing that we punched above our weight as Year 1 and 2 students against much more experienced competition. Through this journey we have learnt a lot about the fantastic startup culture and entrepreneurial spirit here in Hong Kong. We are extremely grateful for this experience and we hope to elevate our ideas to greater heights in the near future.” Said Max Ka Him FUNG (SBM, Year 2), team leader of BLVCK.
"The growing number of students with different backgrounds, interests and expertise working together for entrepreneurship development brings along higher chance of success. We encourage students to share their ideas, interests and information with each other and try out every possibility that you believe in. Your little idea may make a big milestone in history.” Said Donny SIU, Head (Entrepreneurship Programs), Entrepreneurship Center.
We at HKUST Entrepreneurship Center are offering you with support and advice for your entrepreneurship development.
* Being the world’s largest online pitch contest, the JUMPSTARTER is a platform for all entrepreneurs and young people to jump start their dreams in Hong Kong. The JUMPSTARTER IdeaPOP! is a pitching competition for all university students in Hong Kong. It aims to nurture the next generation with an entrepreneurial mindset. Participants undergone pitch training to learn the best practices for jump-starting a business plan, network with industry leaders, and interact with other young entrepreneurs. It is a startup experience programme organized by Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, together with Hong Kong Federation of Business Students (HKFBS) and Social Ventures Hong Kong (SVhk). Startups from eleven universities in Hong Kong took part in the IdeaPOP* 2020.
Team BLVCK
Team MUTO
Team DIZZLE