Hong Kong Techathon+ 2025 Breaks Records with Global Tech Talent Participation
The Hong Kong Techathon+ 2025, a flagship event in the innovation and technology (I&T) sector, has concluded successfully on January 19, 2025. Co-organized by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and local higher education institutions, the event reached a new record in participation, attracting over 1,800 local and international talents in I&T, forming over 380 teams.
The participants included more than 100 non-local innovators and 40 teams from mainland China, the US, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Macao, Australia, Portugal, and Brazil, who traveled to Hong Kong to compete for 10 Gold Awards and the New Innovation Award under four themes: Trusted AI & Data Science, Sustainability & Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), Digital Economy, and Smart Cities.
The team ‘Eleuto’ from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology won the Gold Award in the category of Sustainability and ESG under the Local University Student Group, as well as the New Innovation Award, by creating a communication solution for paralyzed individuals who cannot speak or type.
Expanded Global Reach and Opportunities
Now in its ninth year, the Hong Kong Techathon+ aims to build a global intercollegiate platform connecting I&T talents and startups from local and international backgrounds. The event promotes mutual learning and exchange among these talents, deepens their understanding of Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem, and provides opportunities for international innovators and teams to develop their projects in Hong Kong.
This year’s event featured participation from 13 local tertiary institutions and 18 overseas partnering institutions. HKSTP arranged a five-day immersive program for non-local tech startups, including visits to the Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch and meetings with investors.
Industry Impact and Future Prospects
Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, emphasized the organization’s commitment to promoting I&T development in Hong Kong. ‘Through this competition, participants can learn from one another and inspire each other’s creativity,’ he stated during the opening ceremony.
The competition offered HK$10 million in seed funding across four major themes. Gold medal winners received initial startup capital and eligibility for various incubation support programs, including direct admission into HKSTP’s Ideation Programme.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) served as the exclusive tech enabler for Hong Kong Techathon+ 2025. Robert Wang, Managing Director of Hong Kong & Taiwan at AWS, highlighted their long-term collaboration with HKSTP in nurturing startups through cutting-edge cloud and AI technologies.
Award-Winning Innovations
The winning teams showcased innovative solutions across various categories. Notable projects included AI-assisted health monitoring systems, intelligent synthesis platforms, and environmental monitoring technologies using eDNA analysis.
These award-winning projects demonstrate the potential for Hong Kong to become a global hub for I&T innovation, providing a platform for young talents to develop their ideas into successful startups.
