The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) continues to strengthen its innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, empowering researchers and start-ups to translate cutting-edge ideas into real-world impact. This commitment was recently reflected in outstanding achievements at the HICOOL 2026 Global Entrepreneur Summit and Entrepreneurship Competition in Beijing, where PolyU start-ups secured a First Prize and three Winner Awards, marking the University’s strongest performance to date in the competition.

Led by Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) Professor Christopher Chao and Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) Professor Zheng Zijian, PolyU showcased a diverse portfolio of start-ups spanning beam scanning control, AI legal services, sustainable energy, healthcare, and fashion technology.

Transforming deep-tech research into market solutions

The top honour went to Beijing Zhanshi Precision Control Technology Co., Ltd. for its high-power anti-reflective laser scanning galvo system, which addresses critical bottlenecks in high-power laser welding and enters the supply chains of top-tier enterprises. The three Winner Awards were conferred to WiseLaw Digital Technology for its "Lawrence" AI legal and compliance digital employee, Xiaoma Technology for its AI-powered structural health monitoring system for wind turbines, and Project Kontemp for its modular temperature-controlled vest.

Professor Chao noted that the achievements highlight the effectiveness of the PolyVentures ecosystem, which supports start-ups in scaling their businesses, expanding into new markets and connecting with investors to maximise the societal impact of research innovations.

Fostering cross-regional ecosystems through PIIRS

Beyond competition success, PolyU continued to foster innovation-commercialisation partnerships through the PolyU Innovation Investment Roadshow Series (PIIRS). The Beijing stop brought 22 deep-tech PolyU projects for roadshows and exhibitions, connecting deep-tech ventures with government representatives, industry partners and investors, creating opportunities for collaboration and growth. As a flagship initiative within PolyU’s innovation and knowledge transfer ecosystem, PIIRS helps connect promising ventures with strategic resources and market opportunities across major innovation clusters in the Greater Bay Area, the Yangtze River Delta, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Central China, supporting their long-term growth and impact. Beijing’s robust ecosystem—characterised by tech-focused government funds, industry mentorship, and extensive alumni networks—offered participating teams a powerful springboard to access northern Chinese Mainland markets and secure vital growth funding.

Industry, alumni and University representatives exchange insights during an innovation and investment fireside chat.

The fireside discussion, themed “From PolyU to Beijing: Accelerating Deep-Tech Entrepreneurship”, explored pathways for technology commercialisation, cross-regional collaboration and the role of long-term capital in scaling innovation. The discussion also underscored PIIRS’s role in connecting academic breakthroughs with investors and strategic partners, helping accelerate the commercialisation of PolyU research and strengthen cross-regional innovation collaboration.

As PolyU continues to advance its innovation and entrepreneurship agenda, initiatives such as HICOOL and PIIRS demonstrate the University’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent, accelerating research commercialisation and creating meaningful impact for society. Through its integrated innovation ecosystem, PolyU remains dedicated to supporting start-ups at every stage of their growth journey.