EPiC 2023 reinforces Hong Kong�s world-class I&T with entries from a record of 55 economies competing for USD 5 million investment prize pool
HONG KONG–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hong Kong is open to all and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is ramping up its seventh Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC 2023) by unveiling its 50 Grand Finale semi-finalists, selected from 618 entries and 55 economies across the world.
EPiC 2023 — backed by innovation-driven partners Cathay, HSBC, MTR Lab, plus world-leading accelerator Plug & Play — is the citys most eagerly anticipated pitch event each year and will take place on 28 April 2023 (Friday) at the summit of Hong Kongs tallest building, the International Commerce Centre. The annual event is a unique, worldwide competition for mid to late-stage startups in the FinTech and PropTech sectors who seek to expand their footprints into Asia and beyond, while leveraging Hong Kongs biggest innovation ecosystem at HKSTP.
EPiC provides the best available platform for startups to make real business impact through connections with the Science Park network of 1,000+ investors and 300+ corporate partners.
This year, three quarters of the entries are from overseas, with the proportion of overseas contestants and the number of economies participating hitting a record high since 2016. A total of 50 contestants representing 14 different economies entered the semi-final round.
All 50 semi-finalists have a golden opportunity to be considered for direct investment of up to US$5 million from the HKSTP Venture Fund, as well as market expansion support across Asia and beyond, plus the chance to win a cash prize of US$90,000 if crowned overall champion.
Albert Wong, CEO, HKSTP, said: EPiC is an iconic mega event that has hit global scale, as record turnout from international startups further demonstrates Hong Kongs advantages as an international I&T hub. Hong Kong is diversified, vibrant and attracts the very best entrepreneurs, investors and corporate innovators. Grow fast and go beyond is the theme for EPiC this year, and we welcome talents from around the world to explore Hong Kongs unlimited investment and innovation opportunities.
The EPiC Grand Finale on 28 April will be hosted at Hong Kongs iconic Sky 100 venue atop Hong Kongs tallest building, the International Commerce Centre. The 50 competing teams will pitch their world-changing ideas to a judging panel of renowned investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. The actual pitch will comprise of a 60-second elevator ride as participants compete for the title of overall EPiC Champion.
To propel EPiC to the broader public, HKSTP has launched for the first time, the “My Favourite Pitcher” public poll, which is open to all to vote for their favourite pitch video from the shortlisted 50 semi-finalists. The poll is now available at EPiC polling website (epic-voting.hkstp.org) and lasts until 28 April 2023 1pm (HKT). The semi-finalist with the highest number of votes will win the cash prize of US$10,000, plus 200,000 Asia Miles sponsored by Cathay.
HKSTP will also kick off the exclusive Immersion Programme for semi-finalists to experience Hong Kongs I&T ecosystem first-hand and unlock business opportunities through educational talks, business matching and networking with leading corporate partners and investors across the HKSTP ecosystem.
Contestants Breakdown:
Category | No. of applicants |
PropTech | 266 (43%) |
FinTech | 352 (57%) |
Headquarter | No. of applicants |
Overseas | 465 (75%) |
Hong Kong | 153 (25%) |
A record high proportion of overseas contestants and economies participation since 2016.
EPiC activities:
Now until 28 April 2023, 1pm (HKT)
“My Favourite Pitcher” Public Polling
25 26 April 2023
“Grow Beyond Hong Kong” Immersion Programme
28 April 2023
EPiC 2023 Grand Finale
For more information on EPiC 2023, please visit: https://epic.hkstp.org/
For full list of the 50 semi-finalists see appendix below.
About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has for over 20 years committed to building up Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub to propel success for local and global pioneers today and tomorrow. HKSTP has established a thriving I&T ecosystem that is home to two unicorns and Hong Kongs leading R&D hub with over 12,000 research professionals and over 1,200 technology companies focused on healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies.
Established in 2001, we attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation and technology for entrepreneurs on their journey of growth in Hong Kong, to the Greater Bay Area, Asia and beyond. Our growing innovation ecosystem is built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Shatin, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern INNOPARKs in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long. The three INNOPARKs are realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong. The goal is sectors like advanced manufacturing, electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined for a new generation of industry.
Through our infrastructure, services, expertise and network of partnerships, HKSTP will help establish innovation and technology as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong, while reinforcing Hong Kongs international I&T hub status as a launchpad for global growth at the heart of the GBA innovation powerhouse.
More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.
APPENDIX:
50 semi-finalists for the Grand Finale of EPiC 2023, with 26 from FinTech and 24 from PropTech:
FinTech
Company Name (in alphabetical order) | Headquarter | |
1 | AlgoBot Limited | Hong Kong SAR China |
2 | Amuro Limited | Hong Kong SAR China |
3 | Canvasland Limited | Hong Kong SAR China |
4 | Deland Labs | Singapore |
5 | Doconomy | Sweden |
6 | Dowsure | Mainland China |
7 | Endangered Wildlife OÜ | Estonia |
8 | FedML, Inc. | United States |
9 | FinCrime Dynamics | United Kingdom |
10 | Finema | Thailand |
11 | FINGREEN AI | France |
12 | PFY Healthcare Technology | Mainland China |
13 | Homebase | Vietnam |
14 | Leapstack | Vietnam |
15 | Miotech | Mainland China |
16 | Prometheus Technologies | United States |
17 | Redkik | United States |
18 | Revix | United Kingdom |
19 | Sensor data | Mainland China |
20 | Health Exchange Technology Service Group | Mainland China |
21 | Speedlegal | United States |
22 | Taos Technology LLC | United States |
23 | Ultipa | Mainland China |
24 | VoiceAI Technologies | Mainland China |
25 | Vymo | United States |
26 | Wequity | Belgium |
PropTech
Company Name (in alphabetical order) | Headquarter | |
1 | Archifiction | Mainland China |
2 | Bridge5 Asia | Singapore |
3 | Collov, Inc | United States |
4 | Dfocus | Mainland China |
5 | Doratoon | Singapore |
6 | EGG Lighting | United Kingdom |
7 | Firefly Dimension, Inc. | United States |
8 | FLX Solutions | United States |
9 | I2Cool Limited | Hong Kong SAR China |
10 | IronYun | United States |
11 | Kodifly Limited | Hong Kong SAR China |
12 | Layer Construction, Inc. | United States |
13 | Llewellyn and Partners Company Limited | Hong Kong SAR China |
14 | Mimicrete | United Kingdom |
15 | PassiveLogic | United States |
16 | Photinique Limited | Hong Kong SAR China |
17 | Rootie | Israel |
18 | SKYLAND INNOVATION COMPANY LIMITED | Hong Kong SAR China |
19 | Structure Pal | Israel |
20 | Swiss AI | Switzerland |
21 | Tensorflight, Inc. | United States |
22 | Umi Coating New Material Technology Co., Limited | Hong Kong SAR China |
23 | Visionaries 777 | Hong Kong SAR China |
24 | VoltSafe Inc. | Canada |
Contacts
Media:
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Betsy Leung
Tel: +852 2629 2300
Email: betsy.leung@hkstp.org
Edelman Public Relations
Sonia Leung
Tel: +852 2837 4775 / +852 9684 9460
Email: Sonia.Leung@edelman.com/ Edelmanhkstppr@edelman.com
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