City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has made significant strides in innovation and entrepreneurship through its flagship HK Tech 300 programme. The large-scale initiative seeks to bridge research and real-world applications by fostering collaboration among government, industry, academia, research institutions and investors. Over the past three months, CityUHK has strengthened its partnerships with the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA), Hang Seng Bank, and MTR Corporation (MTRC). This collaboration has leveraged the HK Tech 300 ecosystem to drive innovation across diverse sectors, nurture young entrepreneurs, and support the growth of deep-tech start-ups.

To date, HK Tech 300 has incubated over 900 start-up teams, and more than 190 ventures have secured up to HK$1 million in angel investment. The initiative is supported by over 230 seasoned business leaders, who serve as entrepreneurial mentors, alongside 90 public and private sector organisations, acting as strategic and supporting partners. Through co-investment agreements with 15 venture capital funds and technology firms across Hong Kong and mainland China, HK Tech 300 facilitates vital funding for selected start-ups.

The CMA, Hang Seng Bank and MTRC serve as a strategic partner, supporting institution and professional services partner, respectively, of HK Tech 300. Through professional consultation, testing services and real-world application opportunities, they provide critical support in transforming innovative ideas into market-ready solutions, leveraging scientific research to drive industry advancement across various sectors.

Deepening Collaboration with the CMA to Expand Start-Up Networks

In November, CityUHK and the CMA formalised their collaboration through a donation and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). In addition to financial support, the CMA provides HK Tech 300 start-ups with access to its extensive industry network, technical expertise and certification resources through CMA Testing. This collaboration enhances opportunities for industry engagement and the commercialisation of innovations.

As a key partner of HK Tech 300, CMA Testing offers services such as professional consultation, prototype development, product testing and certification—all essential steps for start-ups taking their innovations to market. In a further commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs, CMA Testing recently contributed additional funding to CityUHK, including seed grants for selected start-up teams. In recognition of its support, CityUHK named a meeting space in the HK Tech 300 co-working hub the “CMA Testing and CMA+ Meeting Room”.

Reflecting on the significance of this collaboration, Ms Lilian Chiang Sui-fook, Deputy Chairman of the CityUHK Council, remarked, “This milestone underscores the longstanding partnership between CityUHK and the CMA and highlights CMA’s recognition of CityUHK’s commitment to fostering interactive, innovation-driven education.” As CityUHK celebrates its 30th anniversary and the CMA marks its 90th, Ms Chiang looked forward to continued collaboration between the two institutions to drive social, talent and economic development in Hong Kong and the rest of the Greater Bay Area.

Partnering with Hang Seng and MTRC to Propel Industry Innovation

In late November, CityUHK and Hang Seng Bank launched the “Hang Seng x CityUHK HK Tech 300 Innovation Programme”, a strategic initiative providing start-ups with commercial insights and real-world application opportunities. A series of market connectivity events, industry workshops and seminars will further enhance connections between start-ups, industry experts and investors, helping new ventures refine their market strategies and expand their business opportunities.

Building on this momentum, in January, CityUHK signed an MoU with MTRC and the MTR Academy, to launch a joint initiative to advance railway-related research, talent development and innovation, while fostering a railway-related innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem. This partnership will focus on developing high-potential railway-related solutions, including those from HK Tech 300 projects, to propel the industry-wide adoption of “smart mobility”.

The collaboration also extends to talent development, encompassing railway research projects and academic training programmes offered by CityUHK, including the PhD by Innovation research graduate programme under the CityUHK Academy of Innovation.

Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) of CityUHK, emphasised the transformative impact of these partnerships, stating, “CityUHK and HK Tech 300 are forging stronger collaboration with industry leaders across various sectors. This reflects the growing recognition of HK Tech 300’s role in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship. By bringing together expertise from the government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors, we are building a powerful innovation ecosystem that will drive technological progress, talent development and economic growth on a global scale.”