Innovations from PolyU startups shine at global entrepreneurship competitions HICOOL and GITEX
To empower PolyU startups to become entrepreneurial leaders, the University provides international exposure and networking opportunities through global entrepreneurship events. Notably, at recent events such as HICOOL in Beijing and GITEX in Dubai, PolyU startups leveraged these premier platforms to exhibit their impactful innovations and connect with industry leaders worldwide.
Four awards won at HICOOL’s competition
PolyU showcased its research excellence and vibrant startup ecosystem at the HICOOL 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Summit and Competition in Beijing. This year’s event attracted more than 13,000 entrepreneurs from 139 countries and regions, and over 10,000 startup projects were presented. Among the twelve innovative PolyU projects presented at the event, four secured awards including a Second Prize, two Third Prizes and a Merit Award, making PolyU receive the highest number of awards among all Hong Kong universities. The winning teams, listed below received cash prizes and entrepreneurship support:
Award received | Project title | Inventor |
|---|---|---|
Second Prize | Bluetooth Direct-to-Satellite Technology and Low - Earth Orbit (LEO) Bluetooth Satellite Constellation System | BlueLink SatCom |
Third Prize | A pioneering therapy for treating obesity via lowering arginine levels | ABRAM Therapeutics Limited |
Third Prize | Evolutionary AI+ High Performance Computational Fluid Dynamics Solution | Mainflow Technology |
Merit Award | Innovation and Application of Microwave-responsive NanoCarbon-coated Functional Aggregates in Smart Cities | Professor Leng Zhen, Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Mr Zhang Shaowei, PhD candidate of the same department |
Four PolyU projects received awards at the HICOOL 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Competition. Prof. Christopher Chao (9th from right) and staff from PolyU’s Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office celebrated the achievements with the award-winning teams. |
Mr Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Government of the HKSAR (centre) visited PolyU’s booth. |
During the event, PolyU hosted its first “PolyU Projects Roadshow” – the only university-organised roadshow this year – where research teams and startups connected with potential investors and industry leaders across sectors such as healthcare, artificial intelligence, food science, and supply chain management. The roadshow generated strong interest, with many investors seeking further collaboration to accelerate the commercialisation of PolyU’s research.
Mr Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China, visited PolyU’s booth and was welcomed by Professor Christopher Chao, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation). They toured the award-winning projects and exchanged views on innovation and entrepreneurship. At the summit, Professor Chao spoke at the keynote forum titled “Global Technology Trends and Innovation Vision”, highlighting the pivotal roles of Hong Kong and PolyU in driving high-quality economic development.
Expanding international collaboration at GITEX Dubai
PolyU was the only university from Hong Kong to participate in GITEX Expand North Star (GITEX) held in Dubai, one of the world’s largest and most influential technology and startup events. The PolyU Pavilion featured nine startups, bringing Hong Kong’s technological advancements to the global stage and strengthening ties with Middle Eastern markets. The startups presented a range of innovations, including an algae photobioreactor system, intelligent smart hotel solutions, advanced medical ultrasound technology, and an artificial intelligence-powered digital health platform.
The PolyU startup Blue Pin was shortlisted for the prestigious Supernova Challenge, GITEX’s flagship pitch competition and the world’s largest startup pitch event.
Notably, the startup Blue Pin was shortlisted for the prestigious Supernova Challenge, GITEX’s flagship pitch competition and the world’s largest startup pitch event. Blue Pin presented its innovative solutions to top investors, global judges and tech media, competing for significant funding to power its future growth. From over 1,000 applications across 77 countries, it was selected as one of the 26 exceptional startups for the renowned TASMU Accelerator programme, opening doors for further collaboration with other enterprises.
Professor Christopher Chao remarked, “By guiding PolyU startups to international platforms like GITEX, we empower them to explore new markets, connect with global investors and establish impactful partnerships. This marks another milestone in PolyU’s efforts to drive innovation and foster the growth of Hong Kong’s technology industry globally.”
The participating startups engaged in business networking and investor matchmaking, connecting with industry leaders and exploring opportunities in the Dubai market.
The University’s signature startup ecosystem, PolyVentures, provides comprehensive support to startups at every stage of their entrepreneurial journeys. Marking the significant success of PolyU’s wide-reaching entrepreneurship endeavours, the University has trained more than 7,600 entrepreneurs and established nearly 600 active startups, including listed companies, unicorns, and other high-value ventures.
