The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) announced the 10 winning start-ups of the ninth edition of Start-up Express at its Final Pitching Day on June 25. The winners span sectors including smart city solutions, green tech, and health tech, reflecting the increasing diversity and practical application of innovative technologies in Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem.
The ESG Award was presented to BioZein Technology Corporation Limited for its commitment to sustainability, while Homing Therapeutics Limited received the My Favourite Start-up Award. The 10 winning start-ups will participate in local and overseas business events organized by the HKTDC to build capabilities, explore markets, seek business and funding partners, and enhance brand awareness.
HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Anna Cheung said: “When we launched Start-up Express in 2018, we had one simple goal: to help Hong Kong start-ups grow and flourish. Since then, we have supported 80 start-ups in building capacity, enhancing their visibility, making connections, finding new partners and investors and seizing opportunities.”
The 10 winning start-ups are: Alpha AI Technology Limited, BioZein Technology Corporation Limited, GABES Limited, Hay-koze Limited, Homing Therapeutics Limited, Muuse Limited, O-Spheres Limited, PetWell HK Limited, PregnaSense Co. Limited, and Pyramid AI Limited. They were selected from 20 finalists who pitched to a judging panel and showcased their businesses at booths during the event, attracting over 200 industry participants including investors and business leaders.
Judge Jimmy Tao, Chairman of the Hong Kong Startup Council, commended the start-ups for integrating artificial intelligence and other technologies into practical applications with strong commercial potential. He noted that Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem continues to flourish, with the number of start-ups increasing 11% year-on-year to 5,221 in the previous year.
Taranjit Singh, Chief Technology Officer of Entoptica, a 2025 winning start-up, shared that Start-up Express provided valuable opportunities to connect with investors and mentors, helping secure funding for clinical trials and production expansion. He added that participation in CES 2026, led by the HKTDC, enabled the company to connect with potential partners and sell two prototype products at US$100,000 each.
The HKTDC also highlighted the Start-up Express International program, which supports overseas start-ups to establish a presence in Hong Kong. The fifth edition will be held during Entrepreneur Day in December, providing winning overseas start-ups with support to leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to the Greater Bay Area and international markets.
For more information, visit the Start-up Express page and the HKTDC Media Room.
