London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

126 startups pitched their ideas at EPiC in Hong Kong, but only 1 walked away with $100k

Some of the world’s most promising tech startups gathered at the International Commerce Center, Hong Kong’s tallest building, on November 8th to pitch their business ideas in the Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC) hosted by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP).  The annual …
The annual pitching competition is the largest of its kind in Asia. International participation was the strongest it’s ever been this year, with 126 startups from 33 countries and regions, including 11 countries joining for the first time.

In the first round, 126 finalists pitched their venture in a 60-second elevator ride to the 393m-high Sky100 observation deck. Ten teams were picked to advance to the three-minute pitch on stage in front of the judging panel and their peers.

BionicM Inc., a Japanese startup that focuses on developing robot-controlled artificial legs for lower limb amputees, was awarded the US$100,000 grand prize. Four winners, including BionicM Inc., were awarded US$10,000 each in four categories, AI & Robotics, FinTech, Health Technology and Smart City. They will also receive incubation support from HKSTP to help them grow their businesses.

“I’m honored that our innovation was recognized by the judges. We joined this competition to meet more partners, secure investment, and reach the Chinese market. With this award and new capital, we will intensify R&D efforts and roll out our products as soon as possible,” said Sun Xiaojun, founder and CEO of BionicM Inc.

Sun continued: “ We spent four years researching and developing robotic Prosthetic legs at the University of Tokyo, I believe that this is the right time to commercialize the technology so we can help more people gain mobility and enjoy a better quality of life. “

The best fintech startup award went to Singapore-based OSOME, an online platform that provides outsourced company incorporation, corporate secretary, accounting and immigration services in Singapore, Hong Kong and the U.K.

“The entrepreneurial momentum is strong in Asia. Business founders need cost-effective corporate services so they can focus on what matters most to them,” said Vlad Sharuda, founder of OSOME. “Before this competition, I already met many other entrepreneurs, who actually might need our services.”

In the run up to the competition, HKSTP’s Global Acceleration Academy hosted a three-day business exploration tour to provide contestants details about the support and resources they can access when establishing a business in Hong Kong, and insights for navigating business opportunities in the region. Apart from helping them perfect their pitching skills, the tour also allowed them to network with fellow entrepreneurs and mentors.

With Hong Kong being an international financial center, established payments technology companies such as Visa join forces with HKSTP, leveraging the competition to strengthen its relationship with the Hong Kong startup ecosystem.

“It’s great to partner with Science Park and be part of this ecosystem. At Visa, we’re keen to partner with startups that bring us new insights and fresh ideas. This event gives us great opportunities to connect with startups from different countries and cultures,” said Maaike Steinebach, Visa’s general manager for Hong Kong and Macau, who is also a founding member of the FinTech Association of Hong Kong.

For Enrico Di Oto, CEO and founder of Italian startup Oncology and Cytogenetic Products (OaCP), winning the best health technology award is about persevering and making improvements day over day. The company uses their patented reagent to expedite cancer diagnostic tests, enhance the process and cut costs.

“I came all the way from Italy. It’s an exciting day for me even though it’s my third time joining EPiC. I’m very happy that we finally made it to this point,” he said.

Hong Kong’s proximity to mainland China and strategic location in the Asia Pacific Region allows him to work with manufacturing partners more closely and deliver products faster to customers across the region.

Nuha Siddiqui, CEO and co-founder of Eco Packers Inc., secured the best smart city technology award as well as the “My Favorite Pitcher” audience choice award. EcoPackers transforms agricultural by-products into cost-effective plastic alternatives The company claims its products are 100% biodegradable and non-toxic.

“We really want to stop the cycle of dependence on single-use plastics,” said Tyaji, COO of Eco Parkers.

EcoPackers will soon have an international presence. The startup has been accepted into the Incu-Tech program at Science Park, and plan to set up an office in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

“Sure, there are a lot of institutional investors and multinationals in Hong Kong with a lot of money looking to invest in promising early-stage startups, but the venture capital network is not as organized as it is in the Silicon Valley,” said Joseph Fung, a member of the juror panel, who is the managing partner of Saltagen Ventures, an early-stage VC.

“As a result, the terms startups are offered are sometimes way outside of the standard. Offering comprehensive accelerator and incubation programs with custom advisory, investor matching and access to networks, Science Park is a great resource for those wanting to start a business in Hong Kong and to explore market opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.”

“EPiC is HKSTP’s platform to provide startups with the most direct form of support and networking opportunities, where they can collaborate and share experiences,” said Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP. “The growing number of entries and diversity of contestants in this year’s competition is proof of Hong Kong’s attraction to entrepreneurial talent and investors as an innovation and technology hub. This year’s event comes amid a challenging time for Hong Kong, but no matter what happens, let’s do our best today and keep the momentum going.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×