The ninth edition of Start-up Express, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded its Final Pitching Day today, with 10 winning startups emerging from a competitive field of 20 finalists. The winners span sectors including smart city solutions, green tech, and health tech, reflecting Hong Kong’s growing momentum in translating innovative technologies into practical applications. 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 startups will participate in a series of local and overseas business events organized by the HKTDC, which provides opportunities to build capability and connections, explore markets, seek business and funding partners, and enhance brand awareness. The HKTDC has long been committed to fostering startup growth by actively providing platforms that help them raise market visibility and expand into Chinese Mainland and international markets, further promoting Hong Kong’s strengths as an international innovation and technology hub.
HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Anna Cheung said: “When we launched Start-up Express in 2018, we had one simple goal: to help Hong Kong startups grow and flourish. Since then, we have supported 80 startups in building capacity, enhancing their visibility, making connections, finding new partners and investors, and seizing opportunities and markets previously out of their reach. We champion Hong Kong’s brightest startups by connecting them to the world to scale and succeed.”
This year’s Final Pitching Day attracted more than 200 industry participants, including investors and business leaders. Booths were set up to enable finalists to showcase their businesses, fostering networking and collaboration opportunities. The 10 winning startups 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.
Judge Jimmy Tao, Chairman of the Hong Kong Startup Council, commended the startups for integrating AI and other innovative technologies into practical applications with strong commercial potential. He noted that Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem continues to flourish, with the number of startups reaching a record high of 5,221 in 2025, an 11% increase year-on-year. Through Start-up Express, winners are well-placed to expand into new markets and accelerate growth.
Taranjit Singh, Chief Technology Officer of Entoptica, a 2025 winner, highlighted the value of Start-up Express in connecting with investors and mentors, securing funding, and advancing clinical trials. He added that participation in CES 2026, led by HKTDC, enabled the company to establish connections with potential partners and sell two prototype products at US$100,000 each.
Since launching Start-up Express International in 2022, the HKTDC has attracted startups from around the world, including from Chinese Mainland, Australia, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the UAE, and the US. The fifth edition will be held during Entrepreneur Day in December 2026, supporting overseas startups to establish a presence in Hong Kong and explore opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and international markets. For more information, visit the Start-up Express page at https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/en/.
