繁體 简体
Alumni Current Students Staff
Start main content

PIIRS returns to PolyU campus in Hong Kong, showcasing 21 deep-tech innovations to accelerate research translation and connect capital with industry

Events Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office
Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) (2nd row, 8th from left); Prof. Zijian Zheng, Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) (2nd row, 8th from right); and Ms Amylia Chan, Interim Director of Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship (2nd row, 6th from right) joined the startup teams, as well as investment and industry partners in the PolyU Innovation Investment Roadshow Series in Hong Kong.
Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) (2nd row, 8th from left); Prof. Zijian Zheng, Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) (2nd row, 8th from right); and Ms Amylia Chan, Interim Director of Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship (2nd row, 6th from right) joined the startup teams, as well as investment and industry partners in the PolyU Innovation Investment Roadshow Series in Hong Kong.
Prof. Christopher Chao, remarked that the return of PIIRS to the University’s home campus was particularly meaningful. The platform brings together stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem to drive the translation of research outcomes into real-world impact and generate greater social and economic value.
Prof. Christopher Chao, remarked that the return of PIIRS to the University’s home campus was particularly meaningful. The platform brings together stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem to drive the translation of research outcomes into real-world impact and generate greater social and economic value.
Prof. Zijian Zheng, introduced the University’s PolyVentures startup ecosystem and the comprehensive support it provides to nurture and accelerate the growth of PolyU startups.
Prof. Zijian Zheng, introduced the University’s PolyVentures startup ecosystem and the comprehensive support it provides to nurture and accelerate the growth of PolyU startups.
During the thematic sharing session titled “From the VC Lens”, Mr Ernest Ma, Managing Director of Beyond Ventures, shared his insights and experience in investing in deep-tech ventures.
During the thematic sharing session titled “From the VC Lens”, Mr Ernest Ma, Managing Director of Beyond Ventures, shared his insights and experience in investing in deep-tech ventures.
During the same thematic sharing session, Dr Gordon Yen, Founding Managing Partner of Radiant Tech Ventures, shared his insights and experience in investing in deep-tech ventures.
During the same thematic sharing session, Dr Gordon Yen, Founding Managing Partner of Radiant Tech Ventures, shared his insights and experience in investing in deep-tech ventures.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today held the Hong Kong session of its flagship PolyU Innovation Investment Roadshow Series (PIIRS) on campus, bringing together 21 PolyU startup teams to showcase and pitch their deep-tech innovations. The event attracted over 200 guests, including over 100 representatives from investment institutions and industry partners. By connecting research breakthroughs with capital and industry applications, PIIRS provides an effective platform for translating innovation into real-world impact, injecting fresh momentum into the innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystems of Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), said, “Following the successful PIIRS events in Qianhai and Beijing, it is especially meaningful to bring the series back to the University’s home campus. The startup teams presenting today exemplify the PolyU spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Their projects are rooted in cutting-edge research, address industry needs, and demonstrate strong market and commercial potential. Through PIIRS, we bring together stakeholders from across the innovation ecosystem to accelerate the translation of research into impact and unlock greater social and economic value.” Prof. Chao encouraged participating teams to make full use of the opportunity to expand their networks, forge strategic partnerships and bring their innovations successfully to market.

The event featured 21 deep-tech projects spanning five key domains: “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy”, “Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Materials”, “Life Sciences and Healthcare”, “Smart City and Sustainable Development”, and “Aerospace and Aviation Technology”. Led by PolyU researchers, these projects highlight the University’s research excellence and innovation capabilities. In addition to the pitching sessions, a dedicated exhibition showcased research outcomes and product prototypes, enabling investors and industry partners to gain deeper insights into the teams’ technological strengths and commercialisation potential while also fostering collaboration opportunities.

During the event, Prof. Zijian ZHENG, PolyU Vice President (Knowledge Transfer), introduced the University’s PolyVentures startup ecosystem, which has successfully nurtured over 900 active startups. He remarked, “PolyU will continue to pursue excellence in talent cultivation, scientific research and knowledge transfer while expanding its cross-boundary collaboration network and building diverse innovation platforms. Through closer collaboration among the government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors, we will further strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems and contribute PolyU’s expertise and strengths to advancing innovation and technological development in Hong Kong, the Nation and beyond.”

Drawing on their experience as investors, in the thematic sharing session titled “From the VC Lens”, Mr Ernest MA, Managing Director of Beyond Ventures, and Dr Gordon YEN, Founding Managing Partner of Radiant Tech Ventures, shared their insights into investment opportunities in deep-tech ventures. Their perspectives helped inspire participating startups and guests, while also facilitating exchange between entrepreneurs and the investment community with a view to exploring potential partnerships and investment opportunities.

Committed to serving national development and advancing technological innovation, PolyU has established a robust translational research network in the Chinese Mainland, comprising 12 Mainland Translational Research Institutes in different cities, the PolyU-Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre, and two research institutes in Shenzhen. As an integrated platform for I&T investment and industry collaboration, PIIRS leverages PolyU’s extensive network and resources in the Chinese Mainland to organise regular events across the Nation’s four major innovation hubs: the GBA, the Yangtze River Delta, the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (Jing-Jin-Ji) region and Central China. Through project pitches, technology showcases and networking activities, the platform connects PolyU researchers and startup teams with investors and industry partners, fostering cross-sector collaboration between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, supporting industrial upgrading and driving socioeconomic development.

Startup teams engaged in in-depth discussions with investment professionals, exploring potential collaboration and investment opportunities.

***END***

We use Cookies to give you a better experience on our website. By continuing to browse the site without changing your privacy settings, you are consenting to our use of Cookies. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy Statement.

Your browser is not the latest version. If you continue to browse our website, Some pages may not function properly.

You are recommended to upgrade to a newer version or switch to a different browser. A list of the web browsers that we support can be found here