Shortlisted HKUST Track Teams for Final Round

 

Team Name Team Description
Alpha Energy IoT Limited The world’s first one-time and auto-adjustable solar beacons for smart sustainable cities and global Net-Zero

Alpha Energy IoT Limited utilizes renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, big data, blockchain, quantum computing and nanotechnology to deliver the world’s first one-time and auto-adjustable solar beacons, enabling a better customer experience, business analytics, and security for green, sustainable and high-performance Internet of Things (IoT)/ Internet of Everything (IoE), the metaverse and smart cities. It maximizes light energy harvesting under multiple light sources and light-changing environments, up to 570% more compared to standard solar beacons. Alpha Energy IoT Limited is one of the awardees of the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU) 2023/2024 and completed the ideation program from Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) in 2022/2023. In 2024 - 2027, we have joined the AWS-HKSTP Co-incubation Program: The AI Cohort. Currently, we have 300+ research publications in IoT, big data, AI, robotics, renewable energy and metaverse and 20+ patents."
ATEC ATEC focuses on new applications of multifunctional thin film. Its two core technologies are: (1) a High-throughput Simulation Calculation Model, which significantly reduces time and material costs by simplifying the design of optical thin film structures; and (2) Advanced Thin Film Deposition Technology for the production of film with customized optical, mechanical, electronic and barrier properties. These technologies enable it to provide high-performance films for a wide range of applications, including energy-efficient windows, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV), conductive film for automotive sensors, and encapsulation/transparent electrode film for flexible optoelectronic devices, such as flexible solar cells, flexible OLEDs and LEDs.
EC Innovation Limited EC Innovation Limited aims to solve environmental problems through innovative electrocatalytic technology. Our flagship product “EC Flow System” is a small-scale device which can be conveniently installed in different planting sites, such as hydroponics, fish ponds, greenhouses, urban farms, etc., converting agricultural/planting wastewater to nutrient solution and clean water on a real-time basis. The breakthrough conversion process turns waste into treasure, reduces significant carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, and saves a lot of cost for planting sites with EC Flow System installed.
Hyele Limited

Hyele Limited is dedicated to accelerating the development of smart cities by introducing an innovative technology to save water and energy and assist in rendering urban water infrastructures sustainable, resilient and adaptive. Hyele recognizes that water supply infrastructure is a fundamental component of cities. Any faults or defects such as leaks and bursts can potentially paralyze a large portion of a city's operations. For example, leaks and bursts have resulted in floods, business and water supply disruptions, financial, water and energy losses, and traffic paralysis.

Hyele's innovative technology effectively addresses such inefficiencies, deficiencies and threats through the use of time reversal (TR) techniques for defect detection and condition assessment. Hyele's innovative technology for urban water pipeline systems (UWPS) enables real-time and effective detection of various UWPS issues, including leaks, bursts, blockages, faulty equipment, pipe wall integrity, and harmful transients. Hyele technology is reliable while being non-intrusive and non-disruptive, and able to diagnose kilometers of pipelines in a matter of seconds. Hyele’s technology supports timely maintenance and mitigation measures that result in enormous water and energy savings, reduction in UWPS-costs and urban carbon footprints, and prevent major failures and catastrophic events. It contributes significantly to establish sustainable and carbon-neutral cities. 

 

InsectX InsectX's initiative focuses on producing Black Soldier Fly (BSF)-based biodiesel, with product options in B5 and B100 specifications tailored for construction, aviation, and transportation sectors. The company’s primary sales channels are B2B, with plans to expand consumer outreach. InsectX is actively developing GM production pipelines to increase biodiesel output and sustainability. Their approach addresses significant environmental issues, such as waste management and greenhouse gas emissions in Hong Kong, by utilizing BSF to digest organic waste, converting it into biodiesel. This solution not only reduces landfill use but also aids businesses in achieving lower carbon emissions. By incorporating this biodiesel, InsectX contributes to a cleaner energy landscape, differentiating itself from competitors by offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional and other biofuels.
Libpet

As modern technology has advanced rapidly and people's pace of life has quickened, the pursuit of quality of life has also steadily increased. However, individuals with mobility challenges still face many obstacles in their daily routines. As one of their primary means of transportation, the design of electric wheelchairs, including their rationality, comfort, and functionality, directly impacts their quality of life. Therefore, in-depth exploration and innovation in electric wheelchair design are deemed necessary.

Our stair-climbing wheelchair is primarily designed with three key aspects in mind:

Functional Design:

1. Stair-Climbing Capability: Through a bionic track design structure combined with multi-sensor fusion technology, the safety of users during use is enhanced.
2. Collision Prevention System: Multiple ultrasonic sensors detect obstacles around the wheelchair and provide audible warnings with varying frequencies based on the distance between the wheelchair and the obstacles.
3. GPS Function: If a wheelchair user experiences an unfortunate incident on the road, their family or friends can track their current location through the real-time GPS positioning system.

User-Centric Design:
When designing, we fully consider the physical characteristics and needs of users, and we design ergonomic seats and simple operating systems, allowing users to get started easily and operate comfortably.

Modular Design:
To meet the needs of diverse user groups, our wheelchairs are designed in a modular form, providing users with different functional accessories so that they can flexibly combine various components according to their personal requirements.

 

Novasdyne

Chopstick is a fully autonomous human-centric robot that combines advanced robotics engineering and artificial intelligence. The project leverages advanced robotics and AI smart management for optimal and intelligent human-robot collaboration in manufacturing and logistic fields facing labor shortages. 

Chopstick will be deployed in structured and unstructured environments, such as warehouses, assembly lines, and fulfillment centers. Transportation of items with complex forms and heavy cargo is made easy with an effective wheel setup. Occupational hazards related to musculoskeletal injuries in human staff will be reduced as Chopstick provides high-payload item transportation. A series of Chopsticks form an interconnected network and share vision, allowing efficient navigation and task completion across the entire premise.

The design architecture features ultrasound, RGBD, optical sensors, and more. Units navigate and analyze the contexts with computer vision, and object recognition in real-time and share findings through an interconnected network. 24/7 operation is possible as high-speed wireless chargers and battery hot-swap stations are integrated into the infrastructure. Multimodal AI fleet management is at the core of the system, it intelligently tasks each robot for diversified applications and charging, to ensure the fleet of robots is always ready.

 

Pest0

The ScentedGuard Pellet

Our patented, lab-tested pellet freshens the air and releases a scent that rodents hate. It lasts for at least a month, providing peace of mind indoors. The pellet can be placed in a container wherever protection is needed, making it a convenient and portable solution for keeping rodents away. The pellets are made from recycled base material mixed with nanoparticles, allowing them to be used both indoors and outdoors. They are refillable every month without the need for disposal, further enhancing their sustainability.

In the current market, there is a shortage of sustainable pest control products. Most available solutions are single-use and require power. Our eco-friendly, pleasant-smelling solution aims to build a defensive line in urban areas. By cutting off pests' access to water, food, and shelter, we create a zone they dislike, which leads to cannibalism without using poisons or glue traps that result in unpleasant carcass odors in human areas.

Additionally, our pellets come in different flavors and can be targeted to various pests, including mosquitoes. This versatility makes our product a comprehensive solution for multiple pest control needs.

 

TerraGreen Limited TerraGreen Limited is founded by scientists and elites from civil engineering and property development, aiming to develop low-carbon and even carbon-negative materials for sustainable construction. Production of conventional construction materials, especially cement and concrete, leads to 10% of global carbon emissions which aggravate global warming. Our society is also facing environmental problems due to generation of municipal solid wastes. Construction waste accounts for 15-70% of the total waste in various countries while plastic waste and food waste account for nearly half of the global waste. We are devoted to developing innovative technologies of producing cementless construction materials from construction waste, plastic waste and food waste. These technologies can reduce carbon emissions and store carbon during material production. The materials produced can be adopted for a variety of structural and non-structural constructions (e.g., pavement, partition walls, etc.) according to international standards (i.e., ASTM and BS). All these would advance the incorporation of sustainability and carbon neutrality into urban development. Our contributions have been recognised locally and internationally by receiving funds, awards as well as industrial and government support. In the future, we will develop a production line to upcycle wastes for materials to echo climate action plans for net-zero carbon locally and globally.
VisionDrop AI Given the pressing global issue of contaminated drinking water, the VisionDrop AI team is stepping up to revolutionize the way we test water quality. Current options are limited when it comes to drinking water testing: people can either use cheap but wildly inaccurate DIY kits or accurate but prohibitively expensive lab tests. Imagine a world where everyone has access to their own personal laboratory right at home – that's the future we're working towards. 
Our cutting-edge water testing product combines the convenience of home testing with the accuracy of lab tests. By utilizing a state-of-the-art microfluidic chip capable of conducting 15 simultaneous chemical tests, coupled with an AI-powered app for precise quantitative analyses, our product empowers consumers to detect a wide range of pollutants in their drinking water. Our innovative solution provides comprehensive insights to safeguard consumer's health from heavy metals to microplastics.
Compact, portable, and user-friendly, our device offers hands-free smartphone support and detailed user reports for ease of use. With VisionDrop AI, consumers worldwide can now take charge of their water quality, ensuring a safe and healthy drinking experience. Join us in the fight against contaminants and let's create a world where clean water is accessible to all.

 

 

 

Shortlisted International Student Track Teams for Final Round

 

Team Name Team Description
Empathera Empathera is a company formed with the mission of improving patient care and safety. Our primary project is the development of an integrated sensor and auto-intervention system for pressure ulcer prevention. Pressure ulcers are wounds formed from prolonged pressure and depletion of oxygen in regions of the skin. This is a huge issue in hospitals across the world, as not only is it a high and consistent care burden, but also expensive to treat once formed. Our product, the StimSense system, would prevent the development of pressure ulcers through strategic data collection and auto-intervention before the risk levels become too high. By leveraging electrical muscle stimulation and pneumatic actuators, the StimSense system can decrease the relative risk of developing pressure ulcers and decrease the burden on caretakers.
HydroTech Solutions The world today relies heavily on finite fossil fuels which are expected to deplete in about 60 years. Green hydrogen has emerged as a potential sustainable alternative to fossil fuels where pure hydrogen can be split from water using electricity in devices known as electrolyzers and collected for use in various applications, such as fuel cells and in hydrogen-powered vehicles. However, in electrolyzers, the electrodes, the core component in these devices, are generally too expensive because of rare earth metals used while not being able to achieve ideal hydrogen production rates. These electrodes are also less sustainable since less hydrogen is produced using electricity, plus the inclusion of scarcer materials. In HydroTech Solutions, we have engineered proprietary electrodes using a special blend of sustainable, abundant materials that achieve both 70% cost-effectiveness while producing 15% more hydrogen than commercial electrodes. These factors were identified as the main pain points for customers after extensive interviews we conducted with key players in the industry. Our product has also garnered interest from several companies who are interested in collaborations and prototyping. Overall, we believe our product has a good market fit and is viable for scaling up in the near future.
InnerSteps

InnerSteps is an innovative mental health platform dedicated to supporting children's mental well-being through personalized, story-driven interventions. Our app leverages Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) strategies, transforming them into engaging, tailored stories that help children understand and manage their emotions. Each story features a hero navigating magical adventures, equipped with superpowers derived from proven clinical techniques, making mental health support accessible and relatable.

Our mission is to address the global mental health crisis by providing scalable, stigma-free support to children and their families. By collaborating with over 30 leading child psychologists and utilizing advanced AI, InnerSteps ensures each story is both clinically effective and captivating. Our approach not only aids in emotional regulation but also fosters resilience, reducing the burden on traditional mental health systems.

In partnership with schools and parents, InnerSteps is running a pilot program to validate the app's impact on reducing the severity of children's mental health challenges. 

InnerSteps has made significant strides in the startup ecosystem, receiving a $50,000 grant from the Australian Government, secured a place in the $110,000 UNSW 10X Accelerator and is a finalist/winner in multiple prestigious competitions, including the University of Sydney's Genesis program, the Startup World Championship Summit, JCA Sharktank, iAwards, UNSW Pre-X Accelerator, Greenfluence Social Impact, USYD Startup Awards, the UNSW Peter Farrell Cup and more! 

Our ultimate goal is to create a world where every child has the tools to navigate their emotions, empowering them to thrive in all aspects of their lives. With InnerSteps, we are revolutionizing the way mental health support is delivered to children, making it fun, engaging, and effective.

 

Pawsible Foods

By 2050, the global demand for protein is expected to more than double, creating significant challenges for food security as our current food systems struggle to meet this burgeoning need. The animal food industry exemplifies this issue by heavily relying on meat, which constitutes 22% of global meat consumption. This meat is often sourced from "4D" animals—those that are dead, dying, diseased, or disabled—resulting in serious health risks to animals due to residues and antibiotics, while placing immense strain on our planet's resources. Moreover, the environmental impact of meat production, including deforestation, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, further highlights the unsustainability of current practices.

Compounding these challenges, over 931 million tons of food side streams are discarded annually in Asia alone, including 28 tons of potatoes rejected due to aesthetic flaws. These inefficiencies not only waste valuable resources but also contribute to the environmental burden, exacerbating the pressure on our already strained food systems. Addressing these inefficiencies is thus  crucial for enhancing food security and sustainability.

At Pawsible Foods, we tackle these challenges by using advanced fermentation technology to convert food side streams, including unwanted potatoes, into sustainable Kavaka™ Mycoprotein. This process upcycles food waste into a high-quality protein source that is optimized for animal nutrition. Our method reduces food waste and offers a cleaner, smarter, and healthier alternative to traditional meat-based diets. By utilizing food side streams, we significantly lower the environmental footprint of food production and make the current food system more productive. Pawsible Foods is thus providing a viable alternative to traditional meat-based animal foods, promoting a healthier future for both our animals and the planet, and is ensuring that our food systems can meet future demands!

 

SOPet Co., Ltd.

Pet owners face significant challenges in accessing reliable, timely, and comprehensive pet information. To address this market need, our team of business expert, pet lover, Large Language Model (LLM) researcher, and veterinary lecturer developed SOPet, a freemium website offering advice on pet questions.

SOPet's core technology, VetAI-1, integrates proprietary veterinary algorithms with LLM to simulate real veterinary consultations. This model can perform symptom detection, triage, ask follow-up questions, summarize answers, conduct aftercare monitoring, and provide targeted product and service recommendations.
For cases requiring specialized attention, SOPet facilitates connections to a network of qualified veterinarians from prestigious institutions for premium, in-depth consultations.

Since its launch, SOPet has rapidly established itself as a market leader in pet telemedicine. Our platform currently serves over 100,000 users, with 20,000 premium subscribers. By partnering with 25 leading veterinary professionals, we've achieved a 95% customer satisfaction rate. Notably, SOPet has secured the top position in Thailand's online veterinary market without allocation of advertising spend, demonstrated by our #1 Google ranking for "สัตวแพทย์ออนไลน์" (Thai for "online veterinarian").